Bill and Melinda Gates are no longer married, and Melinda recently shared what it was like to ask for a separation.
In her upcoming book The Next Day, Melinda recalls inviting Bill on a trip to New Mexico in February 2020—a trip she originally planned to take alone.
While there, she found out the rental home was available because the previous couple had broken up, making her decision feel even more real.
Although they tried to enjoy the trip as usual, Melinda waited until the last night to tell Bill she wanted to start living apart.
Since their youngest daughter, Phoebe, was still in high school at the time, she suggested they stay in their Seattle home until she graduated.
After returning home, they continued working together at the Gates Foundation, but Melinda had already made up her mind to end their 27-year marriage.
She described Bill as a tough negotiator and admitted she started having panic attacks during the process. However, once they reached an agreement, the divorce went smoothly.
In May 2021, the couple publicly announced their split. Later, Melinda revealed that Bill’s connection to Jeffrey Epstein influenced her decision, along with an alleged affair he had with a Microsoft employee, which led to trust issues.
The former couple share three children: Jennifer (28), Rory (25), and Phoebe (22).
Olekanma Favour is a resourceful, self-motivated, and result-driven writer with a passion for crafting compelling narratives and insightful content. She loves tackling complex topics and weaving engaging stories.
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