BILL & MELINDA GATES: Getting Divorced

Bill and Melinda Gates are getting divorced after 27 years of marriage.

In a statement that the Microsoft co-founder tweeted out, the two say, “After a great deal of thought and a lot of work on our relationship, we have made the decision to end our marriage. Over the last 27 years, 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. We continue to share a belief in that mission and will continue our work together at the foundation, but we no longer believe we can grow together as a couple in this next phase of our lives. We ask for space and privacy for our family as we begin to navigate this new life.”

Melinda was a marketing manager at Microsoft when the two met at a dinner for the company’s employees in 1987. They have three children.

With a net worth of $130 billion, Bill Gates is the world’s fourth richest person.