Bill Gates says divorce is his biggest personal mistake

In an interview with the UK newspaper The Times while promoting his memoir "Source Code," Bill Gates said the breakup of his marriage to Melinda French Gates is the greatest regret of his life. He described the divorce as a painful period lasting at least two years.

Gates and Melinda met in 1987, married in 1994, had three children and co‑founded the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation in 2000. They announced their divorce in May 2021 after 27 years together. In 2024 Melinda left the foundation to pursue her own projects, effectively ending their long‑standing partnership. Gates expressed disappointment at her departure but said he continues to see her at family gatherings for the sake of their children and grandchildren.