A Thoughtful Consideration of Divorce (Yes, That One) and Philanthropy

Beth Breeze (University of Kent) and Genevieve Shaker (IUPUI Lilly Family School of Philanthropy) have a thoughtful post at The Conversation about the divorce of Bill and Melinda Gates and media speculation about its ramifications for philanthropy titled Bill and Melinda Gates: philanthropy caught in the crosshairs of society’s obsession with celebrity. It is worth reading the entire post, but the conclusion is particularly telling:

Clearly, Bill Gates and Melinda French Gates are extremely recognisable “people of interest”, but interest in, and reaction to, the end of their marriage says more about their celebrity status than the future of their philanthropy.

Lloyd Mayer