Bill Gates, co-founder of Microsoft, has shared his reflections on his divorce from Melinda Gates, calling it “the mistake I most regret.”
In an interview with The Times, the 69-year-old billionaire opened up about the emotional challenges of the separation, although he mentioned he feels “more cheerful now.”
The couple, who revealed their divorce in May 2021 after 27 years of marriage, finalized the process in August of the same year.
Despite the difficulties, Gates spoke of the special bond he had with Melinda, saying, “There’s something extraordinary about spending your entire adult life with one person. The shared memories, the depth of what you’ve accomplished together, and having children—it’s all quite special. When Melinda and I met, I was already fairly successful, but not outrageously so that happened during our time together. She stood by me through it all.”
Gates also mentioned that he had hoped to mirror his parents’ 45-year marriage with Melinda, saying, “I encouraged Melinda to be a bit 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 doing most of the parenting. We had a wonderful time.”
Bill and Melinda first met in 1987 when she joined Microsoft, and together they created the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation.
However, their divorce marked a significant shift, particularly when Melinda chose to step away from the foundation a move that Gates found difficult to accept.
“When we divorced, it was incredibly difficult. Then she chose to step away from the foundation, which I found disheartening,” he explained.
Looking back on the split, Gates acknowledged it as one of his biggest regrets, stating, “It has to be at the top of the list. There are others, but none that compare. The divorce was miserable for both Melinda and me for at least two years,” he reflected.
Despite their separation, the couple has managed to maintain a positive relationship while co-parenting their three children Jennifer, Rory, and Phoebe all of whom are now adults.
