In Pics: Timeline of Bill Gates and Melinda Gates's relationship

Microsoft co-founder and philanthropist Bill Gates and his wife Melinda Gates announced the decision to end their marriage after 27 years, saying "we no longer believe we can grow together as a couple in the next phase of our lives". Here we take a look at a timeline of Bill Gates and his wife Melinda Gates' relationship.

Microsoft co-founder and philanthropist Bill Gates and his wife Melinda Gates announced the decision to end their marriage after 27 years, saying

Born October 28, 1955, William H. Gates grew up in Seattle and fell in love with machines and computer programming as a geeky-looking 13-year-old. He left Harvard University after two years to start

On the other side of the country, Melinda Gates was born Melinda French on August 15, 1964 in Dallas, Texas. The first computer she ever used was an Apple II, and she developed an interest in computer games and programming at school. Credit: Instagram/melindafrenchgates

The couple met in 1987, shortly after Melinda started working at Microsoft as a product manager, her first job after graduating from Duke University. Credit: Instagram/melindafrenchgates

After dating for nearly seven good years, the couple decided to embark on a life together. Credit: AFP

In 1994, Bill married Melinda at a Hawaiian destination wedding. Credit: Instagram/melindafrenchgates

They are blessed with not one but three children - Jennifer (1996), Rory (1999) and Phoebe (2002). Credit: Instagram/melindafrenchgates

The couple would go on to revolutionize the technology world: Bill through Microsoft software, Melinda through helping carve out space for women in the male-dominated industry. Credit: Reuters

In 2000, Bill and Melinda launched the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, the world's richest, having provided more than $54 billion in grants over two decades in various parts of the world. Credit: AFP

In 2021, Microsoft co-founder and philanthropist Bill Gates and his wife Melinda Gates announced the decision to end their marriage after 27 years, saying

However, the duo said they will continue to work together at Bill & Melinda Gates foundation. Credit: Reuters