Bill Gates Reflects on His Divorce from Melinda French Gates: “The Mistake I Regret the Most”
Bill Gates, the co-founder of Microsoft and a globally renowned philanthropist, has opened up about his divorce from Melinda French Gates, calling it “the mistake I regret the most.” In a candid interview with The Times of London on January 25, the 69-year-old reflected on their 27-year marriage, their 2021 divorce, and the impact it has had on his life.
One of Gates’ biggest personal goals was to replicate the long-lasting marriage of his parents, who were together for 45 years. Speaking about this aspiration, Gates noted, “I encouraged Melinda to be a little calmer than my mother was, but we were both quite driven. I spent more time with the kids than my dad did, but the ratio was still 10:1, with Melinda handling most things for the kids. We had a great time.”
The Value of a Lifelong Partnership
Gates emphasized the significance of sharing an entire adult life with one partner, especially when raising children and working on shared projects. “There is a certain wonderfulness to spending your entire adult life with one person,” he said. The couple, who married in 1994, raised three children—Jennifer, 28; Rory, 25; and Phoebe, 22—and co-founded the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation in 2000. The foundation has become one of the world’s largest philanthropic organizations, focusing on eradicating poverty and combating disease.
“When Melinda and I met, I was fairly successful but not ridiculously successful — that came during the time we were together,” Gates shared. “She supported me through a lot. When we divorced, it was tough, and her decision to leave the foundation disappointed me.”
Melinda resigned from the foundation in May 2024, a move Gates said he found difficult to accept. However, he acknowledged the complexity of their split and its emotional toll, describing the divorce process as “miserable” for both of them for at least two years.
Coping with Regret and Moving Forward
Gates was asked whether divorce was his only major failure in life. “You would have to put that at the top of the list,” he admitted. “There are others, but none that matter as much.” Despite the challenges, Gates said he has become “more cheerful” in the nearly four years since their split, though he still considers the divorce the mistake he regrets most.
Although their marriage ended, the former couple remains in contact, especially for family events. They now share the joy of two grandchildren, Leila and Mia, from their eldest daughter Jennifer’s marriage. “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,” Gates added.
Melinda’s Perspective on the Divorce
Melinda French Gates has also spoken openly about the divorce, describing it as a painful but transformative experience. In a 2024 interview with Time, she explained how the COVID-19 pandemic provided the privacy needed to navigate their separation. “You know, 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.”
Since the split, Melinda has embraced new opportunities and a different lifestyle. “I live in a neighborhood. Now I can walk to little stores. I can walk to the drugstore, I can walk to a restaurant,” she told Time. “I absolutely love it.”
Life After Divorce
Both Bill and Melinda have moved on with their lives while continuing to co-parent their children. Gates is now dating Paula Hurd, the widow of former Oracle executive Mark Hurd. Melinda, on the other hand, has focused on building a new chapter for herself, balancing her philanthropic work and personal life.
Despite the challenges of their divorce, Gates and Melinda have shown resilience and mutual respect, especially in their shared commitment to their family. Their story reflects the complexities of love, partnership, and personal growth, even for some of the most influential people in the world.
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