Bill and Melinda Gates announce divorce

The couple said in a statement they would continue to work together at their namesake philanthropic foundation.

Bill and Melinda Gates announced they are ending their marriage Monday but will continue to work together at their namesake philanthropic foundation. Bill, the billionaire founder of Microsoft, and Melinda, an author and businesswoman, announced their decision to separate after 27 years of marriage in a statement tweeted from their personal accounts. “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,” the statement read. “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.”