When French Gates officially resigns June 7, Bill Gates will be the sole chair of the foundation's board, though Suzman, as CEO, has taken on a higher profile role in the past three years.

Melinda French Gates announced Monday that she will resign as co-chair of the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, the Seattle-based philanthropic organization she started with her ex-husband in 2000.

Bill Gates' ex-wife, Melinda French Gates, is formally stepping away from the former couple's philanthropic foundation. Melinda, 59, announced on Monday that she has resigned as co-chair of the ...