Morning Briefing
Summaries of health policy coverage from major news organizations
Charitable Foundation Likely To Survive Bill, Melinda Gates' Divorce
The New York Times: Bill And Melinda Gates Are Divorcing
Bill and Melinda Gates, two of the richest people in the world, who reshaped philanthropy and public health with the fortune Mr. Gates made as a co-founder of Microsoft, said on Monday that they were divorcing. For decades, Mr. and Ms. Gates have been powerful forces on the world stage, their vast charitable contributions affording them access to the highest levels of government, business and the nonprofit sector. The Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation, with an endowment of some $50 billion, has had immense influence in fields like global health and early-childhood education, and has made great strides in reducing deaths caused by malaria and other infectious diseases. Over the past year, the couple have been especially visible, regularly commenting on the worldwide fight against Covid-19 as their foundation spent more than $1 billion to combat the pandemic. (Gelles, Sorkin and Kulish, 5/3)
NBC News: Bill And Melinda Gates Are Getting Divorced, Future Of Foundation In Question
The couple in 2000 founded the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation, a private philanthropic organization which funds research and advocacy work across the globe, including in some of the world's most impoverished nations. The foundation has given billions to support issues like global health, development and education, as well as combating climate change and the Covid-19 pandemic. ... The announcement sent shockwaves through the philanthropic industry, where the foundation holds enormous sway. (Stelloh, Byers and Popken, 5/3)
Reuters: Bill And Melinda Gates To Divorce, But Charitable Foundation To Remain Intact
The Gates have backed widely praised programs in malaria and polio eradication, child nutrition and vaccines. The foundation last year committed some $1.75 billion to COVID-19 relief. In a joint petition for dissolution of marriage, the couple asserted their legal union was "irretrievably broken," but said they had reached agreement on how to divide their marital assets. No details of that accord were disclosed in the filing in King County Superior Court in Seattle. (Johnson and Ulmer, 5/3)
Reuters: Factbox: Wealth And Philanthropy Of Bill And Melinda Gates
The couple established the Seattle-based Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation in 2000. It is one of the world's largest charitable organizations, with a focus on public health, education and climate change. Its grants included some $1.75 billion to vaccine initiatives, diagnostics and research during the coronavirus pandemic. (Johnson, 5/3)
