Melinda French Gates Reflects on Divorce from Bill Gates in Candid Time Interview

By Madz Dizon

Jun 19, 2024 03:11 AM EDT

Melinda French Gates Reflects on Divorce from Bill Gates in Candid Time Interview
US philanthropist Melinda French Gates arrives for the White House Correspondents Association gala at the Washington Hilton Hotel in Washington, DC, on April 30, 2022.
(Photo : STEFANI REYNOLDS/AFP via Getty Images)

Melinda French Gates recently addressed her divorce from her former spouse, Bill Gates.

French Gates openly discussed the announcement of her divorce in 2021, following a 27-year marriage, in an interview with Time, which was published on June 18.

Melinda French Gates Appreciates Privacy of Divorce with Bill Gates

In an interview with the publication, she shared her experiences of life at home during the challenging times of the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020, coinciding with her separation from Gates.

She expressed her gratitude for the privacy of her breakup, which occurred while their three children - Jennifer, Rory, and Phoebe - were still living at home. 

During the interview, French Gates, 59, was questioned about any potential concerns regarding the impact of the divorce on her and her husband's esteemed charitable organization, the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation.

She admitted that her split was ultimately "more of a personal thing." Nevertheless, she mentioned that her thoughts were still occupied by both her organization and children during that period.

French Gates, who recently announced her departure from the foundation, openly discussed her current state of mind, expressing that she is in a positive space despite the challenges she faced during her divorce.

When questioned about her current emotions regarding the resolution of the challenging aspects of her separation, she replied, "It has been a truly delightful experience. I'll just leave it at that."

READ NEXT: Gen X Retirement Confidence Dips Compared to Boomers, Millennials, Study Reveals 

Leaving Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation

The philanthropist expressed her contentment with her current living situation, mentioning that she resides near to many of her friends.

During her interview with Time, she discussed her reasons for leaving the foundation. She expressed her desire to have complete control over the allocation of funds. She expressed confidence in the foundation's future, citing the board's commitment to women's health, which includes her ex-husband and the CEO, Mark Suzman.

Bill and Melinda Gates' divorce was officially concluded in August 2021. Months later, in a comprehensive interview with CBS Mornings, French Gates shared insights into her decision to separate from Gates.

Bill Gates had previously acknowledged being unfaithful during their marriage.

READ MORE: Bill Gates Announces Billions for Next-Gen Nuclear Plant in Wyoming to Address US Energy Demand 

© 2024 VCPOST, All rights reserved. Do not reproduce without permission.

Join the Conversation

Real Time Analytics