Divorce from Melinda remains my greatest regret, says Bill Gates

Bill Gates, the Microsoft co-founder, has opened up about his “biggest regret in life” — his divorce from Melinda Gates, his ex-wife of 27 years.

In a recent interview with The Times of London, the billionaire businessman described the divorce as “tough”. He revealed that it made both him and Melinda “miserable for at least two years”.

Gates, 69, reflected on their time together, saying Melinda saw him through a lot, from his early success to becoming a global tech icon.

He also acknowledged that they were both driven individuals, but Melinda took on most of the.parenting responsibilities.

“When Melinda and I met, I was fairly successful but not ridiculously successful — that came during the time that we were together. So, she saw me through a lot. When we got divorced it was tough and then she made the decision to leave the foundation,” he said.

“I was disappointed that she took the option to go off. I encouraged Melinda to be a little 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 things for the kids.

“We had a great time. I’m more cheerful now but divorce was the mistake I regret the most. There are others, but none that matter. The divorce thing was miserable for me and Melinda for at least two years.

“Melinda and I still spend time together as a family. We have three children and two grandchildren, so there are always family events. The kids are doing well and have strong values.”

Gates and Melinda first met in 1987, when she became a product manager at Microsoft. They married in Hawaii in 1994 and founded the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation — a nonprofit dedicated to combating global poverty and disease — in 2000.

Following their divorce in 2021, Melinda, 60, resigned from the foundation in May 2024.

The former couple shares three children: son Rory, 25, and daughters Phoebe, 22, and Jennifer, 28.

Gates is now dating Paula Hurd, the widow of former Oracle CEO Mark Hurd.