Bill and Melinda Gates (pictured July 2015) launched their eponymous foundation, one of the world's richest, in 2000
Bill and Melinda Gates (pictured July 2015) launched their eponymous foundation, one of the world's richest, in 2000 GETTY IMAGES NORTH AMERICA / SCOTT OLSON

Bill Gates and Melinda Gates are ending their marriage after 27 years. The billionaire couple announced the news on their social media accounts on Monday.

In a statement posted on their verified Twitter accounts, the ex-couple said they do not believe they can continue to “grow together as a couple.”

“After a great deal of thought and a lot of work on our relationship, we have made the decision to end our marriage,” the statement read.

Bill, who co-founded Microsoft In 1975, married Melinda, who also worked for the company, in 1994. They have three children. In 2000, they founded the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, a philanthropic organization that supports different causes across the globe, including global health, poverty, education and equality.

“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,” the statement added.

“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.”

Melinda filed for divorce on Monday at King County, Washington, CNN reported. Details about a settlement or financial information were not disclosed.

Bill Gates remains one of the richest persons in the world, ranking fourth with a current net worth of $146 billion, according to Bloomberg’s Billionaire Index.