Melinda Gates Breaks Silence On Bill Gates Divorce Comments

Melinda French Gates doesn’t seem all too interested in exploring the dynamics of her divorce.

The philanthropist was asked about comments made by her ex-husband, Bill Gates, in an interview in January, in which he said their split was the “mistake I most regret.”

The comments prompted speculation about reconciliation and seemingly more headaches for French Gates.

“You’ve clearly Googled more than I have,” French Gates said, rolling her eyes during an interview for Elle’s 2025 Women of Impact issue, published on Monday.

While she didn’t get into the specifics of her ex’s comment, French Gates reportedly told Elle that leaving her marriage was one of the hardest and most important things she’s ever done.

“Look, divorces are painful, and it’s not something I would wish on any family,” she added.

Bill and Melinda Gates announced their separation in 2021. The two share three adult children: Jennifer Gates Nassar and Rory and Phoebe Gates.

Bill Gates opened up about his divorce after three decades of marriage in a candid interview with the UK Times, and he said that the dissolution of their union made “the top of his list” of mistakes.

“There are others but none that matter,” he said. “The divorce thing was miserable for me and Melinda for at least two 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,” Gates reminisced.

He added that “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.”