(CMR) Billionaire benefactors Bill and Melinda Gates, co-founders of one of the world’s largest private charitable foundations, filed for divorce on Monday after 27 years of marriage.
The two, however, pledged to continue their philanthropic work together.
In a joint petition for dissolution of marriage filed in King County Superior Court in Seattle, the couple stated that their marriage “is irretrievably broken.” They also stated that they had reached an agreement on how to divide their assets.
Bill Gates, 65, who co-founded Microsoft Corp, and Melinda Gates said they would continue to work together in their existing roles as co-chairs and trustees of the organization.
The Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation is one of the most powerful and influential charities in global public health, spending more than $50 billion over the past two decades combating poverty and disease.
The couple who first met in the 1980s when Melinda joined Bill's Microsoft firm posted a statement on Twitter to announce their divorce.
“Over the last 27 years, we have raised three incredible children and built a foundation that works all over the world to enable all people to lead healthy, productive lives,” the statement read.
“We continue to share a belief in that mission and will continue our work together at the foundation, but we no longer believe we can grow together as a couple in the next phase of our lives. We ask for space and privacy for our family as we begin to navigate this new life.”
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