'It Was A Super Intense Time': Melinda Opens Up About Divorce With Bill Gates During Pandemic

Philanthropist Melinda French Gates, in a recent interview, opened up about the tough time surrounding her divorce from Microsoft co-founder Bill Gates, during the early days of the pandemic.

Melinda first met Bill in the 1980s when she joined Microsoft. They got married in 1994 and subsequently worked together in the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, a nonprofit foundation she established with her ex-husband. In 2021, the billionaire couple announced their divorce after nearly three decades of marriage.

Speaking from her office in Kirkland, Washington, she shared insights with Time magazine into their decision-making process and the personal toll it took. “It was a super intense time for us as a foundation,” Melinda said, highlighting the challenges they faced while managing the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation amid personal upheaval. She described the period as giving them the necessary privacy to navigate their separation discreetly.

“The other thing I would say, though, is, unusually, it gave us the privacy to do what needed to be done in private. You know, I separated first before I made the full decision about a divorce. And to be able to do that in private while I’m still trying to take care of the kids, while still making certain decisions about how you’re going to disentangle your life—thank God,” she was quoted as saying by the magazine.

Discussing the weighty considerations involved, Melinda stressed, “I thought a lot about my three children. But I certainly thought about the effect on the foundation.” After announcing her departure from the foundation in May, Melinda clarified her ongoing dedication to philanthropy, recently unveiling her second billion-dollar funding initiative to empower women. “Helping women thrive has become my focus,” she declared, highlighting her renewed sense of purpose post-divorce.

Reflecting on her journey of ending a 27-year marriage with 68-year-old Microsoft co-founder, Melinda said, “Getting a divorce is a hard thing. It’s awful when you realize you need one.” However, she expressed contentment with her current life, describing it as “wonderful” and filled with activities that bring her joy, from skiing to spending time with family. Melinda also acknowledged the support of close friends and her involvement in spiritual groups, which have been pivotal in her healing process.

The 59-year-old expressed enthusiasm about her new home and neighborhood, a change she embraced following her separation. Last month, Melinda announced she was leaving the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, an organisation that has become one of the most influential in the world. The announcement came three years after her divorce from Bill. Under the agreement between the former power couple, French Gates, whose resignation will take effect on June 7, will receive $12.5 billion for use on her philanthropic efforts “on behalf of women and families.”