In August 2021, Melinda and Bill Gates parted ways while ending their marital relationship. Social media has been satiated with numerous false news and rumors about the power couple. Nonetheless, the ex-couple took to social media to oust those claims as baseless and false. Now, they have a healthy working relationship.
Although neither of the two is happy with the unfortunate breakup, they are committed to sustaining their working relationship. In an interview with CBS News last week, Melinda spoke up about her take on their divorce. “It was a difficult decision, indeed. But here we are, you know. Life is difficult. And not everything goes as planned,” the 57-year-old Melinda told CBS as she wiped her tears.
The Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation Ties the ex Power Couple Together
Together with Melinda, Bill Gates initiated a charity foundation that aimed at financially assisting underprivileged communities throughout the world. Kicking off 22 years ago, both Melinda and Bill Gates have been active contributors to the foundation. “We both started the foundation together. And it is the altruistic objective of the charity foundation that glues Bill and me together,” Melinda tells CBS. She says that she wishes him well and that her current working relationship is “productive,” and that they are “certainly friendly.”
For Melinda, “friendship” is not enough of a word to describe her current working relationship with Bill. Furthermore, she adds that she “would never wish him (Bill) any harm.” Rather, she wishes him “an absolute wellness and prosperity” and is optimistic that they will “sustain their working relationship as long as the charity foundation is in place.”
The Divorce Was an Agonizing Experience
Melinda tells CBS that the unfortunate experience of their breakup was “agonizing.” But she remained consistent and “showed up for work during those tough 18 months” of the divorce procedure. “I would find myself burned in tears hours before the official meetings (of the Foundation,”) she recalls.
She goes on to say that it is really difficult for the public to understand “such an agonizing tragedy.” The alignment of their “friendly working relation” at the same time was extremely difficult. “But we both were committed to working as coworkers and colleagues like forever,” she explains.
Bill Gates is Also Committed to Working Together With Melinda
Mark Suzaman, the sitting CEO of the charity foundation, also endorsed Bill and Melinda’s commitment “to work together regardless of their marital relationship.” The CEO’s statement became public as they were struggling with the separation process.
“I know it is one of the toughest decisions of my life. But, together, we won’t let that intervene our working relationship in the Bill and Melinda Foundation.” Bill Gates was reported to have said, following the divorce.