Divorcing Melinda My Mistake I Regret Most, Says Billionaire Bill Gates
Tech billionaire Bill Gates has admitted that divorcing his estranged wife, Melinda Gates, after 27 years of marriage remains the biggest regret of his life.
In an interview with The Times of London, Gates shared that the split was an incredibly difficult experience but added that he feels “more alive” now.
“I’m more cheerful now,” Gates said, noting that the dissolution of his marriage was “the mistake I most regret.”
The 69-year-old Microsoft founder acknowledged that while he has experienced other failures, the divorce ranks “at the top of the list.”
“There are others, but none that matter,” he explained. “The divorce thing was miserable for me and Melinda for at least two years.”
Gates reflected on the deep connection he shared 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.”
He added, “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.”
Despite their split, Gates and Melinda, who are both now dating other partners, have maintained a cordial relationship.
“Melinda and I still see each other—we have three kids and two grandchildren, so there are family events. The kids are doing well. They have good values,” Gates shared.
The couple married in 1994 and have three children: Jennifer, 28, Rory, 25, and Phoebe, 22. They confirmed their separation in May 2021, although they had been living apart for a year before making the announcement.
