Bill And Melinda Gates End 27-Year Marriage "After Great Deal Of Thought"

While the separation stands to shake up the rankings of the world's wealthiest people, the pair stressed it will have little impact on their philanthropic behemoth.

Bill and Melinda Gates said on Monday that they were divorcing after 27 years of marriage. "After a great deal of thought and a lot of work on our relationship, we have made the decision to end our marriage," the two said in a statement posted on Twitter. "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." At stake is one of the world's greatest fortunes -- currently valued at $145.8 billion, according to the Bloomberg Billionaires Index -- and one of the largest philanthropy operations on the planet. The Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation has given away more than $50 billion, contributing to the fight against Covid-19, leading the charge on climate change and advocating for women's rights. Microsoft Corp. co-founder Bill Gates, 65, is the world's fourth-richest person. Melinda Gates, 56, is a former Microsoft manager who's become an outspoken advocate on global health and equality for women in her role co-running the foundation.