Bill And Melinda Gates End Their Marriage After 27 Years; 'We Ask For Privacy,' Tweets Microsoft Founder

In a short message posted on Twitter Bill Gates said, the couple who are involved in philanthropic work, that they would continue to work together for Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation.

Bill & Melinda Gates | File Image

Microsoft founder Bill Gates on Monday announced that he and his wife Melinda Gates are ending their 27-year marriage. In a short message posted on Twitter Bill Gates said, the couple who are involved in philanthropic work, that they would continue to work together for Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation.

"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," Bill Gates wrote in a tweet.

"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," the message added.

"We ask for space and privacy for our family as we begin to navigate this new life," Bill Gates requested

One of the world's wealthiest couples, the Gates are known for channelling their wealth and resources into charitable work around the globe through their foundation. Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation does work in global health, gender equality, education, and other sectors.

Bill met Melinda when she joined Microsoft as a product manager in 1987. They reportedly got married in 1994 on the Hawaiian island of Lanai.