Melinda Gates has responded to her ex-husband Bill Gates’s comments regarding their divorce.
In an interview with Elle for its 2025 Women of Impact issue, Melinda addressed Bill’s earlier statement that their divorce was the mistake he most regrets after 27 years of marriage.
“You’ve clearly Googled more than I have,” Melinda Gates told Elle’s 2025 Women of Impact issue in an interview published March 17.
The publication noted that she rolled her eyes at the question and added, “Look, divorces are painful, and it’s not something I would wish on any family.”
She shared that ending their marriage was one of the most challenging but necessary decisions she has ever made, emphasizing the importance of prioritizing her own well-being and happiness.
During his interview with The Times earlier this year, Bill said that the “top of the list” in terms of his biggest mistakes was his divorce. “There are others, but none that matter,” he said. “The divorce thing was miserable for me and Melinda for at least two years.”
Still, Bill said that he and his ex have stayed on good terms, and “see each other” often.
“We have three kids and two grandchildren so there are family events. The kids are doing well. They have good values,” he explained.
The couple tied the knot in 1994. Their three children are now adults: Jennifer, 28, Rory, 25, and Phoebe, 22.
He didn’t go into any details about what triggered the divorce in the interview, though he admitted in 2021 that he had an affair with an employee during the marriage.
