Bill Gates has transferred close to eight billion dollars to a charitable foundation controlled by his former wife, Melinda French Gates, in what has been described as one of the largest publicly disclosed philanthropic donations in recent history.

The Microsoft co-founder made a contribution of $7.88 billion, which was completed in 2024 but only became public through recently released tax filings.

The funds were channelled into Pivotal Philanthropies Foundation, a charity organisation led by Melinda French Gates.

Pivotal Philanthropies Foundation was established in 2022 and is dedicated to advancing women’s rights, expanding economic opportunities and promoting social equity across the world.

Reports indicate that the transfer is part of a wider $12.5 billion financial agreement linked to the divorce settlement between Bill Gates and Melinda French Gates.

The couple announced their separation in 2021 after 27 years of marriage, in a split that attracted global attention.

As part of the divorce arrangement, Melinda French Gates stepped down from the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation in May 2024.

Her decision to leave the Gates Foundation was aimed at allowing her to pursue independent philanthropic initiatives outside the structure of the joint foundation.

The $7.88 billion transfer was officially recorded in 2024 tax documents as a donation made to Pivotal Philanthropies Foundation.

The settlement has drawn significant public interest, not only because of its scale but also due to how the former couple has chosen to divide their philanthropic responsibilities.

Melinda French Gates’ organisation has been working to establish a distinct identity, with a focus on women, families and community empowerment.

This focus is designed to complement, but remain separate from, the Gates Foundation’s long-standing priorities in global health and development.

Bill Gates continues to rank among the world’s most prominent philanthropists.

Outside this transfer, he has pledged to donate the majority of his remaining wealth over the coming decades.

That long-term commitment is expected to result in the Gates Foundation investing billions of dollars more in public health and related causes before the organisation winds down by 2045.