“I separated first before I made the full decision about a divorce,” said French Gates, who was married to Bill Gates for 27 years.
Melinda French Gates has shared that she and Bill Gates were living separately before their divorce, and she’s now embracing a “wonderful” new chapter of her life.
Despite their 27-year-long marriage, the couple discreetly began to live apart during the start of the COVID-19 pandemic. This allowed them the privacy needed to handle their personal matters without public scrutiny. Melinda recently spoke to TIME magazine, revealing the details of this challenging period.
“It gave us the privacy to do what needed to be done in private,” she explained. “You know, I separated first before I made the full decision about a divorce. And to be able to do that in private while I’m still trying to take care of the kids, while still making certain decisions about how you’re going to disentangle your life—thank God.”
Melinda candidly discussed the emotional toll of divorce, describing it as “hard” and “painful.” However, she expressed gratitude for how her life has unfolded since the separation. Now living in a community-rich neighborhood, she finds joy in simple pleasures like walking to local stores and restaurants.
Looking ahead to her 60th birthday in August, Melinda is filled with anticipation for the future. “I feel like, ‘Wow, I’m 60. I better surround myself with people and still travel [so that] I’m still absolutely learning, because the world is moving, the world is changing,’” she said. “I’m totally unencumbered to work in any way I want.”
Melinda’s philanthropic efforts remain strong. After leaving the Gates Foundation, where she poured years of dedication, she committed $1 billion to support women’s rights in the United States through her own investment firm, Pivotal Ventures. This initiative aims to empower women to step into their full potential.
On her last day with the foundation, June 7, she admitted feeling a “complicated mix of emotions.” She reflected, “I’m sad to be saying goodbye, proud of all we accomplished, energized by what’s ahead, and excited to see what you do next. But the emotion I feel most strongly right now is gratitude.”
As Melinda French Gates continues her journey, she remains committed to making a difference worldwide, advocating for women’s rights, and enjoying her newfound independence. Her story is a powerful reminder that even after life’s most significant challenges, there is room for joy, growth, and new beginnings.
