Melinda Gates responded to ex-husband Bill Gates’ statement that their divorce was “the mistake [he] most” regretted.
“It was something that was necessary,” Melinda, 60, told The Sunday Times in a profile published on Sunday, April 13, addressing Bill’s January interview with the outlet about their breakup. “If you can’t live your values out inside your most intimate relationship, it was necessary.”
Earlier this year, Bill, 69, admitted to the British newspaper that his 2021 divorce ranked “at the top of the list” of his biggest failures as an adult.
“I don’t even quite know what to make of that statement, so I’m not going to comment on what he says,” Melinda replied on Sunday. “He’s got his own life. I have my life now. I am very happy.”
Bill Gates and Melinda Gates’ Former Marriage in Their Own Words
Bill and Melinda were married from 1994 to 2021, separating after 27 years together. The now-exes, who share three adult children, finalized their divorce in August 2021.
“I’ve just got to a point in life at 60 where I’ve been through a lot,” Melinda told The Times, referring to the moment she decided to end their marriage. “I remember my mom said, after she crossed 60, ‘You know, I just find myself speaking my mind more. I go pick up at the dry cleaner and I tell them how they could be more efficient, you know?’”
She added, “I kind of feel like that. I’ve lived life now, right? Life has a lot of lessons for us. And they can be hard, but they can also be beautiful.”
The pair’s divorce settlement was especially “tough” on Melinda, who told The Times that she even suffered a panic attack at the time.
Melinda French Comments on ‘Painful’ Bill Gates Divorce
“When you’re leaving a marriage, it’s very, very hard. And the negotiations were tough,” Melinda said, adding that she has since gone to therapy. “Well, look, I have to be the first one to acknowledge I have privilege. I mean, even the fact I can have a therapist. Do you know how hard it is for somebody to find a therapist right now? So even the fact I can have one is an enormous privilege, but I didn’t grow up in this privilege.”
She continued, “But to me, there are absolutely common threads that connect us as humanity. … But the emotions, the grief, the anger, the hurts, those all still happen.”
Bill and Melinda have each moved on. The Microsoft founder has been dating Paula Hurd since 2022, while Melinda is currently navigating the dating scene.
“I have had so many friends introduce me to people, and it’s been lovely,” Melinda quipped of her recent dates, adding that she wants a man who’s not intimidated by her wealth and social standing. “I’m sure some are and some aren’t. But I’m not really looking for somebody who would be intimidated by my status. That kind of rules them out, right?”
