Bill and Melinda Gates announce divorce

Melinda said she found Bill — methodical it seems even in matters of the heart — writing a list on a whiteboard with the "pros and the cons of getting married".

They got married in 1994 on the Hawaiian island of Lanair.

Bill Gates' net worth originated with Microsoft but shares of the software-maker now probably make up less than 20 percent of his assets, according to Bloomberg.

He has shifted much of his stake into the foundation over the years and his exact stake hasn't been disclosed since he left Microsoft's board last year.