Bill Gates Opens Up: ‘My Divorce Was the Biggest Mistake of My Life’
Bill Gates calls his divorce from Melinda his biggest regret, citing trust issues and their continued philanthropic efforts.
Microsoft co-founder and billionaire philanthropist Bill Gates recently stated that his divorce from Melinda French Gates was his biggest regret. In an interview with The Times, Gates described the split as “the mistake I most regret,” calling the experience “miserable” for both of them for at least two years. The couple, who had been married for 27 years, announced their separation in May 2021.
In their joint statement at the time, the couple emphasized their commitment to their family and philanthropic work, highlighting their three children and the impact of the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation. Despite continuing as co-chairs of the foundation initially, Melinda resigned from the organization last year to focus on independent philanthropic initiatives. Gates admitted he was “disappointed” by her departure but acknowledged they still maintain family ties due to their children and grandchildren.
The couple first met in 1987 at a business dinner after Melinda joined Microsoft as a product manager. They married in Hawaii in 1994, and Melinda later left her corporate career to focus on their family and charitable work. Gates credited his marriage for keeping him grounded during his rise to immense success, saying Melinda had been with him throughout significant milestones in his career.
Reports suggest multiple factors led to their divorce. In a 2022 interview with CBS Mornings, Melinda revealed that trust issues played a role, although she did not cite a single event as the reason. The Wall Street Journal previously reported that Microsoft board members pushed Gates to step down in 2020 while they investigated his past romantic relationship with an employee. A spokesperson for Gates acknowledged an affair had occurred decades earlier, but it ended “amicably.”
Under their divorce agreement, Melinda received an additional $12.5 billion to fund charitable initiatives focused on women and families. She founded Pivotal Ventures in 2015, an investment firm aimed at addressing gender and social inequalities. Her book, The Moment of Lift: How Empowering Women Changes the World, was published in 2019.
Despite their separation, both Gates and Melinda remain actively involved in philanthropy and continue to co-parent their children.
