The world’s costliest divorce: Melinda Gates receives $7.9 billion after split from Bill Gates

Melinda Gates has received a staggering $7.9 billion from her ex-husband Bill Gates, five years after their highly publicized divorce. According to The New York Times, the funds were transferred to Melinda’s private foundation, Pivotal Philanthropies, as part of the 2024 divorce settlement.

The Gates divorce remains the most expensive in history: Melinda ultimately received $76 billion after 27 years of marriage. At the height of their joint careers, the couple ranked among the wealthiest in the world, with a combined net worth of $130 billion.

In 2021, Melinda publicly stated that their marriage was “irretrievably broken.” The couple shares three children, whom they continue to raise together.

Experts note that massive payouts are not uncommon among celebrities and tech moguls:

• Jeff Bezos & MacKenzie Scott (2019) — $38 billion

• Alex & Jocelyn Wildenstein (1999) — $2.5 billion

• Michael & Juanita Jordan (2006) — $168 million

• Tiger Woods & Elin Nordegren (2010) — $100 million

• Mel Gibson & Robin Moore (2011) — $425 million

Analysts say such enormous sums are especially typical for tech billionaires and global celebrities, whose fortunes reach tens of billions.

Today, Melinda Gates is not only one of the wealthiest women on the planet but also an active philanthropist, using her fortune to support social and global initiatives around the world.