Bill Gates Reveals his Greatest Regret in Life

Bill Gates Reflects on Divorce from Melinda Gates as His Greatest Regret

In a recent interview with The Times, Bill Gates, the co-founder of Microsoft, opened up about his divorce from Melinda Gates, calling it “the mistake I most regret.” The billionaire, now 69, described the separation as a deeply challenging period in his life but expressed that he feels “more cheerful now.”

The Gates couple, who formally announced their divorce in May 2021 after 27 years of marriage, finalized their split in August of the same year. Despite the emotional strain of the separation, Gates emphasized the significant bond he shared with Melinda. He remarked, “There’s something extraordinary about spending your entire adult life with one person. The shared memories, the depth of what you’ve accomplished together, and having children—it’s quite special. When Melinda and I met, I was already fairly successful, but it wasn’t until we were together that I became truly prominent. She supported me through everything.”

Gates noted that he aspired to mirror the 45-year marriage his parents had with Melinda, stating, “I encouraged Melinda to take a calmer approach than my mother, but both of us were quite ambitious. I dedicated more time to our children than my father did, although Melinda still took on the bulk of the parenting responsibilities. We had a wonderful journey together.”

The couple first crossed paths in 1987 when Melinda joined Microsoft, and they later collaborated to establish the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation. However, their divorce represented a significant turning point, particularly when Melinda opted to step back from her role in the foundation, a decision which Gates found difficult to accept. “After we divorced, it was incredibly tough. When she chose to leave the foundation, I found that particularly disheartening,” he admitted.

Reflecting on the aftermath of their split, Gates expressed that it ranks among his greatest failings. “This has to be at the top of my list. There are other regrets, but none compare. The divorce was a painful ordeal for both Melinda and me for at least two years,” he shared.

Despite their breakup, Gates and Melinda have made efforts to foster a cordial relationship as they co-parent their three adult children: Jennifer, Rory, and Phoebe.