Bill Gates, co-founder of Microsoft and one of the world’s richest individuals, has quietly transferred $7.88 billion to his ex-wife’s charitable organization. This payment marks the largest settlement in the couple’s divorce proceedings, which were finalized in August 2021. The transfer was revealed through a recent tax filing, marking the first time the couple’s financial dealings from their 2021 divorce have been made public.
Melinda Gates, who stepped down as co-chair of the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation in May 2021, had previously stated that she would receive billions of dollars under the divorce agreement to pursue independent philanthropic work focused on women and families. In a statement, Melinda Gates said she would not attempt to take her own life, pose a threat to anyone, or commit a crime.
According to reports, Melinda Gates’ assets are now valued at approximately $25 billion following the division of their combined wealth. In addition to the charitable transfer, Bill Gates transferred shares worth billions of dollars to Melinda Gates through his private investment firm, Cascade Investment, shortly after their divorce. The couple also agreed to divide over $170 million in property, $130 million in artwork, and significant Microsoft stock.
The couple’s divorce was announced in May 2021, with both parties stating they could no longer move forward together. The official separation was finalized in August 2021.
In other news, US President Donald Trump said he is monitoring the situation in Iran and warned that the US will intervene if people are killed in the country. The Iranian ambassador to the UK, Hamid Baeidinejad, responded by saying that the US is “extremely provocative and irrational” and that Iran will not be intimidated by US threats.
The Pakistani Prime Minister, Shehbaz Sharif, has announced that the country’s foreign minister, Bilawal Bhutto Zardari, will not be running for office in the upcoming elections. The Pope, Francis, has criticized the current state of international relations, saying that countries are now focusing on power and security rather than diplomacy.
A severe storm, known as the “Gorieti” storm, has hit the UK, bringing strong winds and heavy snow. The storm has left over 57,000 homes without power and hundreds of schools closed.
In other news, the Italian Prime Minister, Giorgia Meloni, has expressed doubts about the US military intervention in Greenland.
The Iranian Foreign Ministry has condemned the US for meddling in Iran’s internal affairs and accused the US of trying to create chaos and violence in the country.
The Chinese envoy to the Middle East, Zhang Jun, has visited Israel and the Palestinian city of Ramallah. The Russian Foreign Ministry has confirmed that it has released its citizens held in Iran.
In a separate incident, police in Pakistan have confirmed that a 17-year-old girl was killed by her brother in a domestic dispute. The President of Pakistan has praised the security forces and law enforcement agencies for their role in protecting the country’s citizens.
The UK has seen a significant decline in visa applications from skilled workers and healthcare professionals in 2025.
Scientists have discovered a hidden oceanic world beneath the Arctic Ocean. The discovery is expected to change our understanding of marine life and the movement of carbon on Earth.
