Bill and Melinda Gates. Michele Crowe/CBS via Getty Images
- Melinda Gates reportedly considered divorce for two years before officially filing for one.
- She's met with several lawyers, The Wall Street Journal reported.
- The announcement of the Gateses' divorce rocked philanthropic and tech communities last week.
- See more stories on Insider's business page.
Melinda Gates had been meeting with divorce lawyers for years before announcing her split with Bill Gates, The Wall Street Journalreported.
The two have been married for 27 years andannounced on May 3that their union would come to an end.
"After a great deal of thought and a lot of work on our relationship, we have made the decision to end our marriage," a joint statement posted toTwittersaid. "Over the last 27 years, we have raised three incredible children and built a foundation that works all over the world to enable all people to lead healthy, productive lives."
The decision rocked the philanthropic and tech communities, but The Journal's reporting indicates it was a long time comin