Melinda French Gates has revealed that her decision to divorce billionaire ex-husband Bill Gates stemmed from a lack of honesty and trust in their 27-year marriage—factors she says made intimacy impossible.
Speaking during an appearance on The Late Show with Stephen Colbert Monday night, the 60-year-old philanthropist offered a rare and candid insight into the end of her high-profile relationship.
“In a trusted relationship, both partners have to be honest,” she told Colbert. “If you can’t have honesty, you can’t have intimacy or trust. So in the end, I had to go.”
Melinda, who finalized her divorce from the Microsoft co-founder in 2021, did not go into detail about the specific causes of the trust issues. However, she has previously acknowledged that Bill’s controversial friendship with convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein was a major factor in their split.
While Bill Gates has not confirmed any infidelity, he has admitted to making “mistakes” during their marriage and said he takes responsibility.
Despite the painful breakup, Melinda said she’s moved on and is embracing her new chapter—confirming that she’s currently dating and described the experience as “pretty great.”
About The Author
