Bill Gates and Melinda Gates spoke onstage at the Robin Hood Foundations 2018 benefit held at the...[+] Jacob Javitz Center, May 14, 2018, in New York City. Getty Images: Robin HoodAccording to court records filed Monday morning in Kings County, Washington, Bill Gates and Melinda French Gates have finally dissolved their marriage. French Gates won't legally change her name and neither will be receiving spousal support.Bill and Melinda's separation agreement was approved by the court. This contract was signed by the couple before they announced their separation in March. The contract outlines how the couple will divide their assets. This includes debt, property and any post-secondary support they may need for their three children (all of whom are older than 18). The court didn't receive the agreement. It is not clear how the couple will divide their huge fortune. However, filings with Securities and Exchange Commission show that Melinda received stock options worth $3.3 billion from Bill.According to Forbes, Bill, who founded Microsoft in 1975 along with Paul Allen is the fourth-richest person on the planet, with an estimated net worth $131.1 billion. Bill and Melinda have committed to donating the bulk of their fortune to charity, primarily through Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation. This foundation has grown to be the largest private foundation worldwide. They say they will continue to run the foundation together after their divorce, but the foundation announced last week that Melinda would resign in two year's time if she and Bill are unable to work together.Bill and Melinda stated in their divorce petition that their relationship was irretrievably ended. According to the Wall Street Journal, Melinda became distressed by Bill's interactions with Jeffrey Epstein, a deceased sexual predator. She began seeking out divorce lawyers as early as 2019, according To The Wall Street Journal. According to the Wall Street Journal, a spokesperson for Bill admitted that he had an affair in 2000 with a Microsoft employee. The investigation was launched by the company's board in 2019. Although Bill resigned from Microsoft's board in March 2020, before the probe was complete, the spokesperson denied that he did so due to the investigation.
