Melinda French Gates has spoken out about Bill Gates’ statement calling their divorce “the mistake he most regrets.”
Melinda herself does not consider their separation a mistake. “You’ve clearly Googled more than I have,” Melinda told with a smile and a touch of sarcasm in an interview published March 17 with Elle’s 2025 Women of Impact issue.
The magazine notes that the conversation took place back in January—when Bill’s words first started making headlines. “Divorce is always painful, and I wouldn’t wish it on any family,” she added.
According to E! News, the philanthropist, and founder of Pivotal Ventures, who shares three children with the Microsoft co-founder—28-year-old Jennifer, 25-year-old Rory, and 22-year-old Phoebe—admitted that the decision to divorce was one of the hardest but most important choices of her life.
Melinda’s statement followed Bill Gates’ interview with The Times, where he confessed that ending his 27-year marriage in 2021 was his greatest mistake. “There are others, but none compare to this one,” he said. The billionaire added that at least two years after the split were incredibly difficult for both of them.
“There’s something special about spending your entire adult life with one person—the shared memories, the achievements, the children,” Bill shared.
The co-founder and former largest shareholder of Microsoft also acknowledged how their relationship influenced his career: “When we met, I was already quite successful, but true fame and my greatest accomplishments came during our marriage. Melinda witnessed all my highs and transformations.”
He emphasized that marriage played a crucial role in his success: “You can’t build Microsoft and reach the top of the world without thousands of factors aligning—your birth year, upbringing, teachers who recognized your potential, a grandmother who nurtured your competitive spirit… And, of course, my wife, who kept me grounded.”
Nevertheless, despite his regret over the divorce, Gates admitted he wouldn’t change anything. He said in an interview with Today. “I went through a divorce, and Melinda is doing fine too. I have work that I love. Yes, the breakup was tough, but for the sake of our three children and everything we accomplished together, I would still make the same choice.”
Now, Bill Gates has found love again—he has been in a relationship with Paula Hurd for two years.
“I’m lucky to have a serious relationship,” he said. “We’re having a great time—we’re planning to go to the Olympics and other exciting events together.”
