Melinda French Gates Reflects on ‘Unbelievably Painful’ Divorce from Bill Gates

Melinda French Gates recently opened up about her “unbelievably painful” divorce from billionaire Bill Gates, citing personal reasons that led to the end of their 27-year marriage. While she refrained from detailing the specific causes, her reflections provide insight into her journey post-divorce and the challenges she has faced.

A Painful Decision Amid the Pandemic

In an interview with Fortune on October 3, French Gates, 58, described the divorce as an intensely difficult period. “There were a number of reasons I couldn’t continue that marriage,” she said, though she did not elaborate on those reasons. She credited the Covid-19 pandemic with offering her the privacy she needed to navigate the ordeal and focus on what had to be done.

French Gates also highlighted the complexities of maintaining a professional relationship with her ex-husband. “I still have to work with the man I left, and I have to show up and give my best every day,” she explained. “So even if I have to cry at 9 o’clock and be on TV with him at 10 o’clock, I still have to show up and give my best.”

A Life Dedicated to Family and Philanthropy

Melinda French Gates graduated with a degree in engineering and initially worked as a tutor for children before joining Microsoft as a marketing director. She met Bill Gates at a trade show in New York, and the two married in 1994, raising three children together.

In 2000, the couple co-founded the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, now the world’s largest private charitable foundation. The organization has supported groundbreaking initiatives in education, gender equality, and vaccine development. By 2014, the couple had donated approximately $28 billion of their personal wealth to the foundation.

French Gates stepped away from her career at Microsoft in 1996 to focus on raising their children and supporting philanthropic efforts.

Divorce Announcement and Life After Separation

The couple announced their divorce in May 2021, stating they could no longer envision a shared future. Their marriage officially ended in August of that year. In their joint statement, they emphasized their commitment to working together at the foundation despite the personal separation.

Reflecting on the divorce, Melinda shared that her top priority during this period was “protecting our children from the failure of our marriage.”

Continued Commitment to Philanthropy

Despite their separation, the pair continues to collaborate on their charitable foundation. In July 2023, Bill Gates announced an additional $20 billion contribution to the foundation, with plans to increase annual disbursements from $6 billion to $9 billion by 2026. He also pledged to evaluate the foundation’s performance and consider further contributions.

Currently, Bill Gates ranks fifth on Forbes’ billionaire list with a net worth of $105 billion. However, following his $20 billion transfer to the foundation, his ranking is expected to drop to ninth, behind Warren Buffett, who has a net worth of $96.7 billion.

A Testament to Strength

French Gates’ experience serves as a reminder of her resilience and dedication to philanthropy, even amidst personal challenges. As she continues her independent charitable endeavors, her legacy of empowering women, advancing education, and improving global health remains steadfast.