Microsoft co-founder Bill Gates has opened up about his divorce from Melinda Gates, describing it as the “mistake I most regret.”
In a candid interview with The Times, the 69-year-old billionaire admitted that the separation was an incredibly difficult experience but noted that he feels “more cheerful now.”
The couple, who announced their split in May 2021 after 27 years of marriage, finalized their divorce later that year.
Despite the emotional pain, Gates acknowledged the deep bond he shared with Melinda, reflecting on the extraordinary nature of their long relationship.
“There’s something extraordinary about spending your entire adult life with one person,” Gates said, recalling the special memories, achievements, and children they shared. “She stood by me through it all.”
Gates also expressed his desire to emulate his parents’ 45-year marriage with Melinda, noting, “I encouraged Melinda to be a bit calmer than my mother was, but we were both quite driven.”
While Gates spent more time with their children than his father did with him, he acknowledged that Melinda took on the majority of the parenting role.
The couple met in 1987 when Melinda joined Microsoft, and together they created the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation.
However, their divorce led to Melinda stepping away from the foundation, a move that Gates described as particularly difficult for him to accept.
“The divorce was incredibly difficult, and then she chose to step away from the foundation, which was hard,” Gates said.
Reflecting on the emotional aftermath, he described the divorce as one of his biggest failures.
“It has to be at the top of the list. There are others, but none compare. The divorce was miserable for both of us for at least two years.”
Despite their split, Gates and Melinda have worked to maintain a cordial relationship as they co-parent their three adult children: Jennifer, Rory, and Phoebe.
