Bill Gates Calls Divorce from Melinda His “Greatest Regret” — Billionaire Opens Up About Personal Heartache
Bill Gates has opened up about the end of his marriage to Melinda French Gates, describing their divorce as the “mistake I most regret.” The Microsoft co-founder, 69, and Melinda, 59, announced their separation in 2021 after 27 years together, marking the end of one of the world’s most high-profile partnerships.
A Regret That Lingers
In a recent interview with The Times, Gates spoke candidly about the impact of the divorce, revealing that the experience was deeply painful for both him and Melinda. “The divorce thing was miserable for me and Melinda for at least two years,” he admitted. “I’m more cheerful now, but I still consider it to be the mistake I most regret.”
Reflecting on their relationship, Bill shared, “When Melinda and I met, I was fairly successful but not ridiculously successful — that came during the time we were together. So, she saw me through a lot. When we got divorced, it was tough, and then she made the decision to leave the foundation — I was disappointed that she took the option to go off.”
A Record-Setting Settlement
The Gates’ divorce was not only emotionally significant, but also historic in its financial scale. Melinda reportedly received over $75 billion in the settlement, making it the most expensive divorce in history. Both have since moved on to new relationships: Bill is dating Paula Hurd, widow of former Oracle CEO Mark Hurd, while Melinda is seeing entrepreneur Philip Vaughn.
Family and Moving Forward
Bill and Melinda first met in 1987 when Melinda was a product manager at Microsoft. They married in 1994 and raised three children—Jennifer (28), Rory (25), and Phoebe (22)—and are now grandparents to Leila and Mia.
Despite the split, Bill emphasized that they remain connected through family. “Melinda and I still see each other — we have three kids and two grandchildren, so there are family events. The kids are doing well. They have good values,” he said. He also reflected on his life’s failures, stating, “You would have to put that [the divorce] at the top of the list. There are others, but none that matter.”
Melinda’s Perspective: Privacy and New Beginnings
Melinda has also spoken publicly about the separation, highlighting the privacy afforded by the COVID-19 pandemic. “It gave us the privacy to do what needed to be done in private,” she told Time. “I separated first before I made the full decision about a divorce. And to be able to do that in private while I’m still trying to take care of the kids, while still making certain decisions about how you’re going to disentangle your life — thank God.”
Looking forward, Melinda has embraced the changes in her life. “I live in a neighborhood. Now I can walk to little stores. I can walk to the drugstore, I can walk to a restaurant. I absolutely love it,” she shared, expressing gratitude for the new opportunities that have come with this new chapter.
A New Chapter for Both
Both Bill and Melinda have moved on, personally and professionally. Their philanthropic work continues, though Melinda has stepped away from the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation. As they navigate their new lives, both remain focused on their family and on making a positive impact in the world.
