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Bill Gates Says Divorce From Melinda Is His Greatest Regret, Reflects On Family and Life After Separation

Bill Gates has opened up about his divorce from Melinda Gates, calling it his greatest regret. In a recent interview, the 69-year-old Microsoft co-founder shared, “That was the mistake I most regret.” Despite the heartache, Gates revealed that he is feeling “more cheerful now,” with an improved outlook on life.

While acknowledging other personal failures, Gates placed his divorce at the top of his list. “There are others but none that matter,” he said. However, he remains optimistic about the future.

The couple, who married in 1994, announced their separation in May 2021 after 27 years of marriage. They share three children: Jennifer, 28, Rory, 25, and Phoebe, 22.

Reflecting on their long partnership, Gates described the deep connection that comes from spending a lifetime together. “There is a certain wonderfulness to spending your entire adult life with one person because of the memories and depth of things you have done and having kids together,” he noted.

Gates reminisced about meeting Melinda in 1987 at Microsoft, before he became the global tech icon he is today. “She saw me through a lot,” he remarked, acknowledging their shared experiences in raising their children and working together on their philanthropic efforts.

When it came to parenting, Gates admitted that while he spent more time with his children than his father did with him, Melinda took on the majority of the responsibilities. “I spent more time with the kids than my dad did, but the ratio was still 10:1, with Melinda doing most things for the kids,” he explained.

Despite their separation, Gates stressed the importance of family, noting that they still see each other and have family events. “The kids are doing well. They have good values,” he shared.

The divorce was a painful chapter for both Gates and Melinda, with Gates describing the period as “miserable for me and Melinda for at least two years.” He also expressed disappointment when Melinda decided to leave the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation after their separation. “When we got divorced, it was tough, and then she made the decision to leave the foundation — I was disappointed that she took the option to go off,” he said.

 

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