Melinda Gates isn’t looking back — at least not fondly.
In a recent interview, the philanthropist opened up about how she’s moved on from her marriage to Microsoft founder Bill Gates, making it clear that she’s focused on her own happiness now.
While Bill has previously called their divorce one of his “greatest failures,” Melinda wasn’t having it when asked about that comment.
Her response? Calm, composed, and just a little frosty: “I don’t even quite know what to make of that statement, so I’m not going to comment on what he says,” she told The Sunday Times, with a pause before adding, “He’s got his own life. I have my life now. I’m very happy.”
A Split That Was “Necessary”
Melinda, 60, didn’t even mention Bill by name — a subtle but clear sign of emotional distance.
Speaking candidly about the divorce, she described it as something that simply had to happen.
“If you can’t live your values inside your most intimate relationship, it was necessary,” she said.
The couple officially split in May 2021 after 27 years of marriage and three children.
The divorce came with a reported $12.5 billion settlement for Melinda, though reports estimate she walked away with close to $30 billion of Bill’s estimated $150 billion fortune.
The Epstein Scandal and Broken Trust
The breakdown of their marriage wasn’t just about growing apart.
Melinda has previously described being “deeply disturbed” by Bill’s connections to convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein.
Adding to the pain were rumors of alleged affairs — one with a Microsoft employee in 2000 and another with a much younger Russian bridge player around 2010.
In her upcoming memoir The Next Day, Melinda reveals the moment things hit a boiling point: the fall of 2019.
That’s when The New York Times published an article highlighting Bill’s troubling ties to Epstein, raising serious questions about his behavior and values.
The Hardest Conversation of Her Life
One of the most emotionally charged parts of Melinda’s memoir is her description of the night she told Bill to move out. She calls it “one of the scariest conversations” she’s ever had.
The couple had just taken a final getaway to Santa Fe, New Mexico in early 2020 — a last-ditch effort to salvage the relationship.
But the damage was done.
She also opened up about suffering panic attacks during the intense divorce negotiations.
“When you’re leaving a marriage, it’s very, very hard,” she admitted, sharing that she even called her therapist in the middle of the night for support.
A New Chapter in Love and Life
Since their split, both Bill and Melinda have moved on — but in very different ways. Bill has been dating Paula Hurd, the widow of Oracle CEO Mark Hurd, since 2022.
Melinda, on the other hand, is enjoying dating life and meeting people “through friends.”
When asked if men are intimidated by her status and wealth, she smiled and said, “I’m sure some are and some aren’t.
But I’m not really looking for somebody who would be intimidated… that kind of rules them out, right?”
Building a Legacy with Pivotal Ventures
These days, Melinda is all about purpose and progress. She founded her own philanthropic organization, Pivotal Ventures, back in 2015 while still co-running the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation.
But in 2024, she stepped away from the foundation entirely to focus on her solo mission: accelerating social change and uplifting women in leadership.
During her interview with The Times, Melinda spoke from the Pivotal headquarters in Redmond, just outside of Seattle — a symbol of her fresh start and independence.
Family Comes First
Melinda and Bill share three adult children: Jennifer, 28, Rory, 25, and Phoebe, 22. Jennifer, who is married to equestrian Nayel Nassar, is now a mother of two, making Melinda a grandmother.
Despite their father’s massive fortune, Bill has stated publicly that he plans to leave each child less than 1% of his wealth — which still amounts to around $500 million apiece.
Moving On with Strength and Grace
Melinda’s story is one of resilience, self-respect, and rebuilding.
She’s not defined by her past, and certainly not by her ex-husband’s version of it.
Whether she’s leading philanthropic efforts, speaking her truth in her memoir, or simply enjoying her life post-divorce, Melinda Gates is standing firmly in her own power.
Her memoir The Next Day hits shelves Tuesday — and it promises to shed even more light on the journey behind the headlines.