Bill Gates is openly discussing his divorce with Melinda French Gates, saying that it is “the mistake I regret the most.”
In an interview with The Times of London that was published on Saturday, January 25, the former Microsoft executive, who is 69 years old, discussed his divorce from his wife of 27 years, which took place in 2021. He also said that one of his major aspirations in life was to imitate the 45-year marriage of his own parents.
He told the magazine, “I encouraged Melinda to be a little calmer than my mother was, but we were both quite driven,” as he thought back on how he attempted to make his marriage like that of his parents. Melinda handled most of the activities for the kids, but I spent more time with them than my dad did. The ratio was still 10:1. We had a wonderful experience.
Bill said that he thinks there is a “certain wonderfulness to spending your entire adult life with one person,” particularly when you have children together, as well as happy memories and shared undertakings.
He told The Times of London, “When Melinda and I met, I was doing pretty well, but I wasn’t doing so well that it was ridiculous. That level of success came during the time that we were together.” “She has been there for me through a lot.” It was difficult when we were divorced, and then she decided to quit the foundation. I was sad that she chose to leave.
Melinda and her ex partner met for the first time in 1987, when she started working as a product manager at Microsoft. They were married in Hawaii in 1994. In 2000, the two of them established the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, a nonprofit organization that is committed to fighting poverty and illness across the world. Melinda, who is 60 years old, stepped down from the foundation in May 2024 after they separated.
Bill told The Times of London, “You would have to put that at the top of the list,” when asked whether divorce was the only failure he has experienced in his life. There are more options, but they are not significant.
He went on to say, “The divorce thing was miserable for me and Melinda for at least two years.” He also said in another part of the chat that he has grown “more cheerful” in the almost four years after their separation, but he still considers it to be “the mistake I most regret.”
He remarked, “Melinda and I still see each other. We have three children and two grandchildren, so we have family events.” The children are doing well. They have excellent morals.”
The couple has three children: Rory, a 25-year-old son; Phoebe, a 22-year-old daughter; and Jennifer, a 28-year-old daughter. They also have two granddaughters, Leila and Mia, who are Jennifer’s daughters. Bill is now in a relationship with Paula Hurd, who is the widow of Mark Hurd, a former executive at Oracle.
Melinda has also spoken about her divorce from Bill in the past. Last year, she told Time that while their divorce was “hard” and “painful,” it finally led to “wonderful” new chances.
“I live in a neighborhood.” I am now able to stroll to little shops. She informed the source that she was able to stroll to the pharmacy and to a restaurant, and she was commenting about how her surroundings had changed since the breakup. “I really enjoy it.”
Melinda also said that the couple had split up during the COVID-19 epidemic, taking turns staying at their family home with their children.
She told Time that their family life during the epidemic “gave us the privacy to do what needed to be done in private.” “Before I made the final decision to get a divorce, I separated first.” And to be able to do it in private while I’m still trying to take care of the kids, while still making certain choices about how you’re going to detangle your life — thank God.
