Melinda French Gates has responded to ex-husband Bill Gates’ recent statement calling their divorce the “mistake” he regrets the most. The couple, who were married for 27 years, announced their split in May 2021 and finalized their divorce three months later.
In a new interview with Elle Magazine, French Gates briefly addressed her former husband’s remarks, acknowledging the difficulty of their separation. “Look, divorces are painful, and it’s not something I would wish on any family,” she stated when asked about his comments on their breakup.
Confidence in independence post-divorce
During the discussion, French Gates humorously remarked, “You’ve clearly Googled more than I have,” when the interviewer referenced Gates’ public regret. She went on to express confidence in her ability to move forward after the divorce, stating, “I knew when I got divorced, I would be okay on my own. And I think that was the most important thing.”
When asked what she hoped people would take away from her story in the future, she said she would want the public to see that “she’s thriving on the other side of a divorce.”
Bill Gates’ reflection on the split
Gates had previously spoken about the divorce in an interview with The Times of London, calling it a difficult experience for both of them. “The divorce thing was miserable for me and Melinda for at least two years,” he admitted.
He also reflected on his hopes for their marriage, drawing a comparison to his parents, Bill Sr. and Mary Gates, who were married for 45 years. “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 said. Gates labeled the divorce as one of his biggest failures, stating, “There are others, but none that matter.”
Despite the challenges, Gates acknowledged that he did not regret their time together. “Despite the fact that the divorce wasn’t great, having those three kids, the work we were able to do together—even if I knew that it [wouldn’t] last forever, I would still do it again.”
Moving forward with new relationships
Gates also spoke about his current relationship with philanthropist Paula Hurd, referring to himself as “lucky” to have found a serious partner. “We’re having fun, going to the Olympics, and lots of great things,” he shared.
Melinda French Gates, meanwhile, remains focused on her philanthropic efforts, maintaining that she is moving forward and thriving post-divorce.