Bill Gates, the 69-year-old co-founder of Microsoft, has described his divorce from ex-wife Melinda Gates as the “mistake I most regret.” Speaking in a candid interview with The Times of London, Gates opened up about the emotional challenges surrounding their separation and the enduring impact it has had on his life.
Gates and Melinda, who is 60, ended their 27-year marriage in August 2021, a decision they first announced in May of that year. The couple, who married in 1994, share three children—Jennifer, Rory, and Phoebe—and co-founded the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, one of the world’s leading philanthropic organizations.
“When Melinda and I met, I was fairly successful but not ridiculously successful—that came during the time that we were together,” Gates said. “She saw me through a lot.”
A Marriage Built on Shared Dreams
Reflecting on their relationship, Gates revealed that he had aspired to replicate the enduring 45-year marriage of his parents. “I absolutely wanted that,” he said, adding that he and Melinda enjoyed a strong bond throughout much of their life together.
“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,” Gates said. However, he also admitted that their marriage faced challenges. “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, but the divorce thing was miserable for me and Melinda for at least two years.”
A Painful Transition
In the interview, Gates acknowledged the toll the divorce took on their personal and professional partnership. He called the separation “a very sad milestone” and admitted it was “tough” when Melinda decided to leave their foundation. “I was disappointed that she took the option to go off,” he said.
Melinda, in her own reflections, has spoken about the difficulties of balancing personal heartbreak with professional commitments. “It’s unbelievably painful, in innumerable ways, but I had the privacy to get through it,” she told Fortune in 2022. She described how she often had to work alongside Gates during the separation. “Even though I might be crying at 9 a.m. and then have to be on a videoconference at 10 a.m. with the person I’m leaving, I had to show up and be my best self,” she said.
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Moving Forward
Despite the challenges, the former couple has maintained a cooperative relationship, particularly when it comes to their children and grandchildren. “Melinda and I still see each other—we have three kids and two grandchildren, so there are family events,” Gates shared. “The kids are doing well. They have good values.”
Looking back, Gates admitted that the divorce remains one of his greatest regrets. “You would have to put that at the top of the list,” he said. “There are others, but none that matter.”
While the split was undeniably painful, Gates shared that he is now in a better place emotionally. “I feel more cheerful now,” he noted, suggesting that time has helped him come to terms with the end of his marriage.
A Legacy Beyond Divorce
The couple’s relationship began in 1987 when Melinda joined Microsoft. Together, they built a philanthropic empire through their foundation, tackling issues like global health, poverty, and education. Although their partnership has evolved, their shared contributions to global causes remain a testament to their years together.
For now, Gates seems focused on the future, even as he reflects on the past. His candid admissions about his regrets and the lessons he has learned offer a glimpse into the complexities of life, love, and loss—even for one of the world’s most successful figures.