Bill Gates, co-founder of Microsoft and one of the world’s most influential philanthropists, has described his divorce from ex-wife Melinda French Gates as the “mistake I most regret.” At 69 years old, Gates opened up about the emotional challenges of their split during a profile interview with The Times of London, which was published on January 25.
Gates and Melinda, 60, announced their separation in May 2021, ending a 27-year marriage. The couple, who wed in 1994, share three children—Jennifer, Rory, and Phoebe. Reflecting on the life they built together, Gates noted that his initial goal was to replicate the long, happy marriage of his parents, who were together for 45 years. “I absolutely wanted that,” he admitted.
The pair met in 1987 when Melinda started working at Microsoft. Their relationship grew over the years, and together they co-founded the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation. The organization became a global leader in philanthropy, tackling issues like healthcare, poverty, and education. However, their professional partnership faced challenges after their divorce, with Melinda eventually leaving the foundation. Gates acknowledged the difficulty of this decision, saying, “I was disappointed that she took the option to go off.”
Despite their separation, Gates expressed gratitude for the memories they shared. “There is a certain wonderfulness to spending your entire adult life with one person because of the memories and depth of things you have done and having kids together,” he said. He also noted how Melinda supported him during his rise to immense success, adding, “She saw me through a lot.”
Their divorce was finalized in August 2021, a process Gates described as “miserable” and a significant source of sadness for both of them. However, the two have maintained a harmonious relationship for the sake of their family. “Melinda and I still see each other—we have three kids and two grandchildren, so there are family events,” he noted.
Gates also commended their children, saying, “The kids are doing well. They have good values.”
Melinda, in a separate interview in 2022, shared her own journey through the emotional pain of their divorce. She also spoke about the difficulty of continuing to work with Gates during that period, saying, “I needed to show up and be my best self every single day, even when I might be crying at 9 a.m.”
