Bill Gates Opens Up About His Biggest Regret: His Divorce from Melinda French Gates
Billionaire and former Microsoft executive Bill Gates is no stranger to tough decisions, but when it comes to personal regrets, one stands above the rest—his 2021 divorce from Melinda French Gates. In a candid interview with The Times of London, the 69-year-old reflected on the emotional challenges of ending their 27-year marriage, calling it “the mistake I regret the most.”
A Personal Dream Shattered
Gates, who has spent his life solving complex global issues, admitted that one of his biggest personal aspirations was to replicate his parents’ 45-year marriage. “There is a certain wonderfulness to spending your entire adult life with one person,” he shared, highlighting the deep personal loss he felt when his marriage came to an end.
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Balancing Work and Family
While both he and Melinda were highly driven individuals, Gates acknowledged that she carried most of the parenting responsibilities. “The ratio was still 10:1, with Melinda doing most things for the kids,” he said. Despite their best efforts, the marriage ultimately came to a painful conclusion. “The divorce thing was miserable for me and Melinda for at least two years,” he admitted.
Melinda’s Exit from the Foundation
Beyond their personal lives, the divorce also had an impact on their professional partnership. In May 2024, Melinda announced her departure from the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, the non-profit they co-founded in 2000 to tackle global poverty and disease. Gates admitted he was disappointed by her decision. “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 revealed.
Co-Parenting and Moving Forward
Despite their separation, the former couple remains connected through their shared family. They have three children—Jennifer (28), Rory (25), and Phoebe (22)—as well as two grandchildren.
Both have since moved on. Gates is now dating Paula Hurd, the widow of former Oracle executive Mark Hurd. Meanwhile, Melinda has spoken openly about her life post-divorce, calling it “hard” but ultimately “wonderful” as she embraces new opportunities.
As for Gates, when asked if divorce was his only failure, he didn’t hesitate. “You would have to put that at the top of the list. There are others, but none that matter.”
His honesty serves as a reminder that even the world’s most successful people face personal struggles—and sometimes, the hardest lessons aren’t about business but about life itself.

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