A combined photo of Bill and Melinda Gates
By Akeem Atoyebi
Former CEO of Microsoft, Bill Gates, 69, has given an insight into his divorce from ex-wife Melinda Gates, describing it as “the mistake I most regret.”
Despite the emotional trauma of the separation, Gates shared that he feels “more cheerful now.”
This is contained in a “candid profile” published on Saturday, January 25, by The Times of London, as reported by multiple reports on Sunday.
Gates and Melinda, 60, announced their decision to part ways in May 2021, ending 27 years of marriage.
The couple, who tied the knot in 1994, share three children: Jennifer, Rory, and Phoebe.
Speaking to The Times, Gates revealed that he had initially aspired to replicate the 45-year marriage of his parents. “I absolutely wanted that,” he said.
Reflecting on their dynamic, Gates noted, “I encouraged Melinda to be a little calmer than my mother was, but we were both quite driven. 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. We had a great time.”
Earlier in 2021, Gates described his divorce from Melinda French Gates as “a very sad milestone” and a source of “personal sadness.”
In this latest reflection, Gates also expressed appreciation for the bond they shared over the 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.
“When Melinda and I met, I was fairly successful but not ridiculously successful—that came during the time that we were together. So, she saw me through a lot.”
The pair’s relationship began in 1987, when Melinda started working at Microsoft.
