Bill Gates pays ex-wife nearly $8 Billion in Divorce settlement after ‘painful’ split

New financial disclosures have shed further light on the extraordinary scale of Bill and Melinda Gates’ divorce settlement, revealing that the Microsoft co-founder transferred almost $8 billion to his former wife’s charity as part of their agreement.

The couple began divorce proceedings in 2021, bringing an end to their 30-year marriage. As part of the settlement, tax filings reviewed by the New York Times show that in 2024, Bill Gates made a $7.88 billion donation to Melinda’s organization, the Pivotal Philanthropies Foundation.

The payment is one of the most striking elements of what is now considered one of the most expensive divorces in history. Overall, Melinda Gates is reported to have received a $76 billion payout. Much of that money has been directed toward charitable causes, particularly initiatives focused on improving the lives of women and supporting vulnerable families.

Bill Gates — (Photo by Scott Olson/Getty Images)

The nearly $8 billion donation from Gates was only part of a broader commitment within the settlement, which earmarked $12.5 billion for philanthropic efforts tied to similar causes.

Since the initial transfer, an additional $4 billion is believed to have been donated to related charities. A spokesperson for Pivotal Philanthropies confirmed that Bill’s “agreement has been fulfilled,” indicating that the full amount promised under the settlement has now been delivered.

The same year the $8 billion donation was made, Melinda announced that she would also be stepping away from the foundation she and Bill had built together, formerly known as the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation.

Now called the Gates Foundation, it remains one of the largest charitable organizations in the world. Explaining her decision, Melinda said in a 2024 statement: “This is not a decision I came to lightly. I am immensely proud of the foundation that Bill and I built together, and of the extraordinary work it is doing to address inequities around the world.”

She also emphasized the importance of continued investment in women and girls, adding: “This is a critical moment for women and girls in the U.S., and around the world-and those fighting to protect and advance equality are in urgent need of support.”

After the divorce, Melinda described the end of the marriage as difficult but necessary, calling the process “painful.” She said the relationship “wasn’t healthy” and that they “couldn’t trust” that it was working.

Bill Gates has also spoken publicly about the emotional toll. Reflecting on both the divorce and Melinda’s departure from the foundation, he told the Times: “When we got divorced, it was tough, and then she made the decision to leave the foundation. I was disappointed that she took the option to go off.”

Together, the financial and personal details paint a picture of a deeply consequential split, reshaping not only two lives but the future direction of some of the world’s most influential philanthropic efforts.

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