Why Bill Gates Regrets Divorcing Melinda French Gates | E! News

Bill Gates is getting candid about his divorce from Melinda French-Gates. During an interview with the Times of London published January 25th, the Microsoft co-founder opens up about his divorce from his wife after 27 years of marriage and how he ultimately regrets the decision. As he tells the outlet, that was the mistake I most regret. However, he adds that he is quote more cheerful now. Bill and Melinda first met in 1987 when she began working as a product manager at Microsoft. They later tied the knot in 1994 in Hawaii with Bill describing Melinda as his better half. During their time together, the two founded the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation, a non-profit that focuses on global public health and development needs. However, after announcing their split in May of 2021, Melinda later shared three years later in May of 2024, that she would be stepping away from the company. Bill recalls of the time saying, 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. He goes on to call the divorce one of his biggest failures, adding, You would have to put that at the top of the list. There are others but none that matter. The divorce thing was miserable for me and Melinda for at least two years. As for Melinda, she has previously spoken out about their separation, even hinting at some of the reasons she decided to call it quits. During her interview with Gayle King on CBS Morning, she cited his alleged infidelity in 2000, which a spokesperson for Bill later told CBS that the affair was almost 20 years ago and ended amicably. Melinda also referenced Bill's previous meetings with the late convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein, which she said didn't sit well with her.