In a stunning financial disclosure, it has emerged that billionaire philanthropist Bill Gates quietly transferred a monumental $7.9 billion to the private foundation of his ex-wife, Melinda French Gates. This colossal charitable contribution forms part of the final settlement from their 2021 divorce, as reported by the New York Times.
A Record-Breaking Philanthropic Gesture
The vast sum was directed to Melinda's Pivotal Philanthropies Foundation in 2024, marking one of the largest public charitable donations ever recorded. This payment finalises the separation of the former power couple, whose divorce is officially the most expensive in history. Melinda received a total settlement reported to be worth $76 billion after 27 years of marriage.
Before their split, the Gateses were among the globe's wealthiest couples, with a combined fortune peaking at an estimated $130 billion. In a statement filed in 2021, Melinda declared the marriage 'irretrievably broken'. The couple share three children.
The Landscape of Multi-Billion Pound Divorces
While high-profile separations are notoriously costly, the figures involved in the world's wealthiest splits are truly jaw-dropping. Tech founders, in particular, have faced astronomical payouts.
Jeff Bezos, Amazon's founder, saw his 2019 divorce from MacKenzie Scott result in a $38 billion settlement for his ex-wife, who also retained 25% of the couple's Amazon stock. In the world of sports and entertainment, the sums, while smaller, remain unfathomable to most.
Other Notable Multi-Million Pound Divorce Settlements
The list of history's costliest divorces includes:
- Mel Gibson & Robyn Moore (2011): $425 million
- Steven Spielberg & Amy Irving (1989): $100 million
- Michael Jordan & Juanita Jordan (2006): $168 million
- Tiger Woods & Elin Nordegren (2010): $100 million
Perhaps one of the most infamous cases is that of socialite Jocelyn Wildenstein, who received a $2.5 billion settlement from art dealer Alec Wildenstein in 1999, much of which was reportedly spent on cosmetic surgery and exotic pets.
The $7.9 billion charitable donation from Bill to Melinda's foundation underscores how the dissolution of ultra-high-net-worth marriages now involves not just personal wealth redistribution but also significant reconfigurations of philanthropic empires. It brings a definitive close to one of the most watched partnerships in both business and charity, redirecting funds that will now be deployed under separate visions for global giving.
