Bill and Melinda Gates to separate after 27 years of marriage Abrar Al-Heeti , provided by FacebookTwitterEmail Bill and Melinda Gates are calling it quits. Getty Images Bill Gates on Monday said he and wife Melinda are splitting up. "After a great deal of thought and a lot of work on our relationship, we have made the decision to end our marriage," the Microsoft cofounder shared on Twitter. "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," the tweet continues. "We ask for space and privacy for our family as we begin to navigate this new life."