Melinda Gates Reacts To Bill Gates Calling Their Divorce A Mistake

Melinda Gates has responded to her ex-husband Bill Gates’ recent comment calling their divorce his biggest regret.

In an interview with Elle for its 2025 Women of Impact issue, Melinda reacted to Bill’s statement by rolling her eyes and saying, “Look, divorces are painful, and it’s not something I would wish on any family.”

She also acknowledged that leaving her marriage was one of the hardest but most important decisions she has made.

Bill Gates had previously told The Times that his divorce from Melinda after 27 years was the “top of the list” of his biggest mistakes. He described the experience as “miserable” for both of them for at least two years.

Despite their split, Bill noted that they remain on good terms and frequently see each other, especially for family events. The former couple, who married in 1994, share three children: Jennifer, 28, Rory, 25, and Phoebe, 22.

While Bill did not discuss the reasons behind the divorce in his recent interview, he previously admitted in 2021 to having an affair with a Microsoft employee during their marriage.