Melinda Gates says her and Bill’s ‘philanthropy’ helped them through divorce, ‘smoothed’ things over

Melinda Gates claimed that her and ex-husband Bill’s ‘philanthropy’ helped them get through their divorce, claiming that it ‘smoothed’ things over during some of the most ‘difficult’ aspects of their breakup.

The computer scientist, 58, has dedicated much of her life to giving back, and now, she has revealed that it was her charity work that helped her get through her split from her billionaire Microsoft founder ex-husband, 66, whom she divorced last year.

Melinda spoke to Good Morning America recently about the plus sides to giving back and how it helped her after her relationship came to an end, as she promoted her brand new MasterClass designed to teach others about the impact of generosity.

Throughout the two-and-a-half-hour class, Melinda preaches about ‘reflecting on your values’ and ‘examining your beliefs’ so that you can ‘develop a personalized framework’ for ‘philanthropic giving.’

After their divorce, the 58-year-old and her husband reportedly split their joint $130 billion net worth, so it’s certainly easier for Melinda to give back than the average person; but she insisted that even those who don’t have a lot of money can use their ‘time, voice, and expertise’ to help others.

She and Bill, who wed in 1994 and were together for 27 years before they announced their marriage was ending in May 2021, founded the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation together in 2000; and she explained to GMA that working on the organization through their divorce ‘held them together and allowed more grace.’

‘Our philanthropy actually called us to be our best selves, even during the most difficult times behind the scenes,’ she said.

‘We were working through the specifics of the divorce and there was sadness, but we were still both showing up for the foundation. 

‘I think that held us together and allowed more grace during that period, and since then, it’s kind of smoothed things over on the back end.’ 

Melinda started her career off tutoring children, but then got a job as a marketing manager with Microsoft.

She was later promoted to general manager of information products until 1996, when she left the company to focus on starting her family.

She met Bill at a trade fair in New York. The pair tied the knot in 1994 and were together for 27 years before they announced that they were getting a divorce in May 2021. They welcomed three children over the years – Jennifer, 25, Rory, 23, and Phoebe, 19. 

By 2014, Bill and Melinda had donated around $28 billion of their personal wealth to the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation. And in 2020, the organization was reported to be the second largest charitable foundation in the world.

Melinda has also launched the company Pivotal Ventures, which ‘focuses on advancing social progress in the United States.’

In 2010, she vowed to ‘giving away the majority of her resources in her lifetime’  through the organization Giving Pledge – which was founded by herself, her ex-husband, and Warren Buffett.

In a letter written on its website in February, she also said she was going to commit her time and energy to ‘fighting poverty and advancing equality.’

‘I co-founded the Giving Pledge in 2010 and committed to giving away the majority of my resources in my lifetime. Today, I’m reaffirming that commitment,’ she said in the letter. 

‘I recognize the absurdity of so much wealth being concentrated in the hands of one person, and I believe the only responsible thing to do with a fortune this size is give it away – as thoughtfully and impactfully as possible.’

She now wants to encourage others to give back, and is teaching a MasterClass on the subject in the hopes of inspiring more people to get involved in philanthropy.

‘I think it’s really important to reflect on your values before you start giving because I think your values are what should drive pretty much everything you do in life,’ she said in a clip from the class, which was obtained and shared by GMA.

‘We’ll be offering you a framework and a way to think about giving, whether you’re just starting or you’re midway in your journey.’

While Melinda recognizes that not everyone is in a financial position to give away money, she explained that there is ‘so much’ more you can do besides making donations.

She added that giving back is a way you can ‘form a community’ since ‘philanthropy draws people together.’ 

‘You have so much to give besides money, you have your time, you have your voice, you have your expertise. There are so many ways we can give back,’ she insisted. 

‘This is a time when we are all dying for more community, giving back is a place that you can form community.

‘This couldn’t be a more perfect time to start thinking about giving back. Philanthropy draws people together, I know from 20 years of giving.’ 

The mom-of-three has long been dedicated to teaching her kids similar values, explaining that she was ‘very purposeful’ throughout their childhood and ‘brought them into her projects early on.’

‘I was very purposeful with our children, even when they were young,’ she said. ‘I took them out during the holiday times to build boxes for the homeless.

‘That went on to a discussion about homelessness. I tried to bring them into projects early on and I encourage other parents to do that. 

‘Now, each of my three children in their own way are figuring out their talents in the world and where they might give back in the long haul.’