Bill Gates and Melina French Gates had dropped the divorce bomb in August 2021 after 27 years of marriage surprising their followers and well-wishers. However, after 3.5 years of their decision to go separate ways, Gates in a new interview has called divorce from Melinda “the mistake I regret the most.”
In an interview with The Times in London, Gates reflected on how family and marriage provided the stability that kept him ‘grounded’ while he built his trillion-dollar company. The former Microsoft CEO revealed that he considers it to be “the mistake I most regret.”
“The divorce thing was miserable for me and Melinda for at least two years,” said Gates. However, he added that things have become “more cheerful” in the nearly four years since their split.
“I believe there is a certain wonderfulness to spending your entire adult life with one person, especially when you share children together, as well as fond memories and shared projects,” said Gates.
As of now both Melinda and him have started dating other people but the exes have managed to remain on good terms with each other which is for the good of their children and grandchildren. Bill Shared, “Melinda and I still spend time together as a family. We have three children and two grandchildren, so there are always family events. The kids are doing well and have strong values.” The former couple share three children together – Jennifer (28), Rory (25), and Phoebe (22).
The couple share three kids – son Rory, 25, daughter Phoebe, 22, and daughter Jennifer, and two grandchildren Leila and Mia (Jennifer’s daughters).
While the pain of divorce was difficult to overcome for Gates, he did find love again in Paula Hurd, the widow of former Oracle CEO Mark Hurd.
They were spotted together on several occasions before they made things official in February 2023,
Bill said he believes there is a “certain wonderfulness to spending your entire adult life with one person,” especially when you share children together, as well as fond memories and shared projects. Their most notable outings during this time were Laver Cup in September 2022 and the Australian Open in January 2023. They also made their red carpet debut in April 2024.
Who is Paula Hurd?
Paula Hurd is a University of Texas at Austin graduate with a degree in business administration. She was earlier married to Mark Hurd, the CEO of software company Oracle for around 30 years. However, Hurd passed away in October 2019.
Hurd spent a decade of her career in a sales and alliance management role at the software company NCR (National Cash Register). Paula is currently working as a developer. She also organizes a wide range of “memorable” event experiences for personal, corporate and charitable occasions, mentions her LinkedIn bio.
Paula Hurd and her late husband were active philanthropists, contributing to numerous causes. In 2021, she donated $7 million to Baylor University, helping its Give Light Campaign surpass $1 billion, and the school honored the couple with a welcome center in 2023.
Hurd is a mom to two daughters Kathryn and Kelly with her late husband. Kelly followed her father’s footsteps to Baylor while Paula was later honored as a Baylor Alumna By Choice.
(Picture courtesy: X, Reuters)
