American business magnate Bill Gates and his wife Melinda are divorcing after almost three decades of marriage.
The pair announced the decision to end their marriage in a statement jointly signed by them on Monday.
In the statement posted on the verified Twitter handle of the Microsoft founder-turned philanthropist, the pair explained that they decided to settle for the option of a divorce after “a great deal of thoughts and a lot of work” on their relationship.
While they have decided to end their 27-year-old union, Bill and Melinda said they would continue to work together at the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation.
The statement read, “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,” it added