BREAKING: Bill and Melinda gate have announced their divorce after 27 years of marriage.

They first met in the 1980s when Melinda joined Bill's Microsoft firm. 

After a great deal of thought and a lot of work on our relationship, we have made the decision to end our marriage," the pair tweeted.

The pair both posted the statement announcing their divorce on Twitter.

"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," it read. 

"We continue to share a belief in that mission and will continue our work together at the foundation, but we no longer believe we can grow together as a couple in the next phase of our lives. 

"We ask for space and privacy for our family as we begin to navigate this new life."