Bill Gates, the co-founder of Microsoft and a billionaire, recently expressed that his divorce from Melinda French Gates is his biggest regret.

In a recent interview with The Times, a British newspaper, Gates stated, “It was the mistake I regret the most.” The couple made the unexpected announcement of their divorce in May 2021 after being married for 27 years.

“After much consideration and effort on our relationship, we have decided to end our marriage,” they announced in a joint post on social media at that time. “Over the years, we have raised three wonderful children and established a foundation that helps people worldwide lead healthy and productive lives.”

Despite their separation, both Bill Gates and Melinda continued their leadership roles at the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, one of the largest charitable organizations globally, until Melinda stepped down last year. Following their split, Gates lost his co-reading partner, his meditation buddy, and his walking companion.

“You would have to put that at the top of the list,” Gates told The Times. “There are other regrets, but none compare. The divorce was distressing for both Melinda and me for at least two years.”

Gates felt ‘disappointed’ when ex-wife left foundation

Gates credited his marital relationship as integral to his success, stating it grounded him.

The couple first crossed paths in 1987 at a business event in New York City, where Melinda, a Microsoft product manager, was seated next to Gates. They tied the knot in Hawaii seven years later. Melinda worked at Microsoft for ten years developing multimedia products before stepping away to focus on their family and charitable ventures. They have three children: Jennifer, Rory, and Phoebe.

“There is a certain beauty in spending your entire adult life with one person due to the memories and shared experiences you’ve had, including raising kids,” Gates expressed to The Times. “When Melinda and I met, my success was just beginning — I achieved greater success during our marriage. She supported me through a lot.”

Gates acknowledged that the divorce was “challenging,” noting his “disappointment” when Melinda announced her resignation from the foundation to explore new philanthropic avenues, as reported by The Times.

“Melinda and I do see each other — we share three kids and two grandchildren, so we attend family events,” he said. “The kids are doing well and embody good values.”

Under a settlement agreement, Melinda French Gates, 60, will receive an additional $12.5 billion to support charitable initiatives focused on women and families.

In 2015, she established Pivotal Ventures, an investment firm dedicated to tackling issues affecting women and families. Her book, “The Moment of Lift: How Empowering Women Changes the World,” was published in 2019.

What led to the divorce of Bill and Melinda French Gates?

Melinda spoke candidly about their separation in a March 2022 interview with Gayle King on “CBS Mornings,” a year after the news broke.

The Wall Street Journal had reported that Microsoft’s board felt it inappropriate for Bill Gates to remain on the board in 2020 due to an investigation into his past romantic relationship with a female Microsoft employee.

At the time, an unnamed spokesperson for Gates reportedly admitted he had an affair nearly 20 years earlier, which ended “amicably.”

When asked by King about the alleged infidelity, Melinda responded:

“Well, I certainly believe in forgiveness, so I thought we had worked through some of that,” she explained. “It wasn’t one single moment or event. At some point, I realized it became unhealthy, and I lost trust in what we had.”

Contributors: Mike Snider, Amy Hanline, Natalie Neysa Alund, and Craig Harris,