Five causes supported by the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation 

Despite their impending divorce, the power couple has pledged to continue working together on their $50bn global charity  

The Gates transferred over $50 billion of their Microsoft stock to the foundation in its early days. Picture: Jedd Christensen/ Getty Images.

Bill and Melinda Gates have been featured in headlines all over the world since announcing their plans to divorce - many of which have focused on the wealth amassed by the couple since Bill Gates co-founded Microsoft in 1975.

The Seattle native is one of the world’s richest people, with a net worth estimated at around $130bn. However, it’s believed that much of the couple’s wealth is tied up in their namesake charity organisation, the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation.