Melinda Gates Opens Up About Her Split From Bill

Melinda French Gates has shared the reason behind her decision to end her 27-year marriage to Microsoft co-founder Bill Gates, revealing that a lack of honesty ultimately led to the split.

Speaking with Late Show host Stephen Colbert, Melinda, 60, explained that honesty is essential for trust and emotional closeness in a relationship—something she felt was missing in their marriage.

“To have a truly trusting relationship, which is what I wanted in a marriage, both people have to be honest,” she said. “Without honesty, there’s no intimacy, no trust. So in the end, I had to leave.”

Melinda officially divorced Bill Gates in 2021. The couple, who share three children, had long been seen as one of the most influential power duos in philanthropy and tech.

She’s recently returned to the public eye to promote her new memoir, where she reflects on personal growth and the major life changes she’s navigated, including the high-profile divorce.