Tech billionaire and former CEO of Microsoft, Bill Gates, 69, has opened up about his divorce from ex-wife Melinda Gates, describing it as “the mistake I most regret.”
Despite the emotional toll of the separation, Gates shared that he feels “more cheerful now.”
This is detailed in a “candid profile” published on Saturday, January 25, by The Times of London, as reported by multiple reports on Sunday.
Gates and Melinda, 60, announced their decision to part ways in May 2021, ending 27 years of marriage.
The couple, who tied the knot in 1994, share three children: Jennifer, Rory, and Phoebe.
Speaking to The Times, Gates revealed that he had initially aspired to replicate the 45-year marriage of his parents. “I absolutely wanted that,” he said.
Reflecting on their dynamic, 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 doing most things for the kids. We had a great time.”
Earlier in 2021, Gates described his divorce from Melinda French Gates as “a very sad milestone” and a source of “personal sadness.”
In this latest reflection, Gates also expressed appreciation for the bond they shared over the years.
“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.
“When Melinda and I met, I was fairly successful but not ridiculously successful—that came during the time that we were together. So, she saw me through a lot.”
The pair’s relationship began in 1987, when Melinda started working at Microsoft.
After their wedding, they co-founded the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, which became one of the most prominent philanthropic organisations globally.
However, their professional partnership also faced challenges following their divorce. “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,” Gates admitted.
Their divorce was finalised in August 2021, and Gates has since cited it as one of his biggest personal failures.
“You would have to put that at the top of the list,” he said. “There are others, but none that matter. The divorce thing was miserable for me and Melinda for at least two years.”
Despite the difficulties, Gates and Melinda have managed to co-parent their adult children harmoniously.
“Melinda and I still see each other—we have three kids and two grandchildren, so there are family events,” Gates noted.
“The kids are doing well. They have good values.”
Melinda has also spoken openly about her healing journey post-divorce. “It’s unbelievably painful, in innumerable ways, but I had the privacy to get through it,” she told Fortune in October 2022.
She also reflected on the challenges of working alongside Gates after their separation.
“I also kept working with the person I was moving away from, and I needed to show up and be my best self every single day.
“So even though I might be crying at 9am and then have to be on a videoconference at 10 a.m. with the person I’m leaving, I have to show up and be my best. And I learnt as a leader that I could do it.”
