Melinda French Gates, philanthropist and ex-wife of Microsoft co-founder Bill Gates, is finally shedding more light on what led to the end of their 27-year marriage. In a candid interview on The Late Show with Stephen Colbert, Melinda spoke openly about the emotional toll of her divorce, the lack of honesty in her marriage, and how she has moved on with a renewed sense of purpose and love.
Promoting her newly released memoir titled “The Next Day”, Melinda explained that trust and transparency were crucial values for her in a relationship—values she felt were missing in her marriage to one of the world’s richest men.
“I learned to have a trusted relationship, which is what I wanted in marriage. Both partners have to be honest with one another. And if you can’t, you can’t have intimacy and you can’t have trust. So in the end, I had to go,” she told Colbert.
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Reflections from a 27-Year Marriage
Melinda and Bill Gates, once seen as one of the most powerful couples in global philanthropy, announced their split in May 2021, shocking millions. While the exact reasons for their separation have remained largely private, Melinda has previously hinted at Bill Gates’ controversial friendship with convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein as a significant factor behind the split.
Although she didn’t go into specific details during the interview, Melinda’s words painted a picture of someone who had wrestled with deep emotional and ethical conflicts before making the life-altering decision to end her marriage.
‘The Next Day’: A Memoir of Healing and New Beginnings
Melinda’s new memoir, “The Next Day,” dives into personal stories of love, heartbreak, growth, and resilience. According to Melinda, sharing her journey post-divorce was essential—not just for transparency, but also for anyone navigating similar transitions in life.
“I thought it would be disingenuous if I didn’t write about the transition out of my marriage because people knew it had happened to me—and it happens to unfortunately a lot of families,” she said.
The book not only reflects on her time as Bill Gates’ partner but also emphasizes her independent voice, philanthropic mission, and her role as a mother, global advocate, and now, a woman in love again.
Melinda Is Engaged and Thriving
In perhaps the most surprising revelation of the interview, Melinda confirmed that she is not only dating but now engaged to tech investor Philip Vaughn. Smiling, she said,
“I am dating now and I’m engaged. It’s been pretty great.”
While she didn’t share many details about her fiancé, the announcement was met with widespread excitement and support online. Fans praised her for embracing happiness and growth after a highly publicized breakup.
A New Chapter for Melinda French Gates
Since the divorce, Melinda has remained focused on her philanthropic work through the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation (which she co-chairs) and her initiatives supporting women’s rights, global health, and education.