More details are emerging about how Bill Gates and his wife of 27 years, Melinda Gates, are dividing up their wealthfollowing their divorce announcement.
According to SEC filings, Bill gave Melinda, who he married in 1994, more than 14 million shares of the Canadian National Railway Company, as well as 2.9 million shares of AutoNation. Together, this equates to more than $1.8 billion dollars in stock.
Bill, who was the co-founder of Microsoft, is the fourth richest man in the world, with an estimated net worth of over $124 billion.
High-profile divorces like that of Bill and Melinda Gates cast a spotlight on just how intricate and high-stakes the process of dividing assets can be.
When a marriage involves substantial wealth, properties, investments, and even philanthropic ventures, the separation isn’t just emotional—it’s logistical.
Every share, estate, and holding must be accounted for and divided in a way that is fair, legally sound, and in many cases, intensely private.
But divorces don’t have to involve billions to become complex. Even in more modest situations, questions about property division, retirement accounts, spousal support, and joint debts can feel overwhelming.
That’s where experienced legal guidance becomes essential. The Law Office of Stephen Spurgeon is known for helping clients navigate the emotional and financial maze of divorce with clarity and tact.
Their approach is not only rooted in legal know-how but also in understanding the delicate nature of ending a chapter that once began with love and promise.
Melinda is a former manager at Microsoft, who, along with her husband, co-founded the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation in 2000. The non-profit is dedicated to “fighting poverty, disease, and inequity around the world,” according to its website, and works towards combating diseases like HIV/AIDS, polio, and malaria.
The estranged couple announced the news of their divorce on May 3 in a joint statement. “After a great deal of thought and a lot of work on our relationship, we have made the decision to end our marriage,” the message from the philanthropists 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.”
