Melinda French Gates Opens Up About 'Painful' Divorce from Bill Gates
- Victor Nwoko
- 2 days ago
- 2 min read
Melinda French Gates is opening up about some of the most personal and transformative moments of her life in her new memoir, The Next Day, including her highly publicized separation from Microsoft co-founder Bill Gates. In discussing the book, the 60-year-old philanthropist explained why she chose to write about their divorce, despite being a deeply private person.
"It was important because if I'm going to be my most authentic self, people knew I had gone through it," French Gates said. She described divorce as a difficult process for any family and emphasized that her account is told from her perspective. "It's not something I would wish on anybody — and unfortunately so many families go through it. It is a big transition. And for me, while it was painful for sure, I ended up learning some lessons and there was some growth in there, too."
Reflecting on her current life, French Gates shared that she has discovered “a lot of play and so much joy” even after such a painful chapter. She and Gates had announced their separation in 2021 after 27 years of marriage. In a joint statement at the time, they expressed a shared commitment to their philanthropic mission through the Gates Foundation but acknowledged they could no longer grow together as a couple.
Since then, French Gates has embraced what she describes as the "next phase" of her life. In 2024, she characterized her life as “wonderful” and has spoken publicly about feeling as though she’s thriving post-divorce. Her memoir touches on other major life milestones as well, including motherhood, becoming a grandmother, and stepping away from the Gates Foundation.
In writing the book, French Gates emphasized that she’s not trying to give advice. Aware of her privilege, she said her intent is simply to share what she’s learned through her own experiences. At 60, she’s candid about the courage it takes to forge a different life, especially after such a long and high-profile marriage.
The most difficult part of the book to write, she noted, was the chapter about her split from Bill Gates. Still, she felt it was essential to be honest and open. “It was important for me to be real,” she said. “Hopefully it’s helpful to someone else.”
While divorce is just one element of her story, French Gates uses it to explore deeper themes of uncertainty, resilience, and self-discovery. Every chapter in The Next Day highlights the emotional complexity of life transitions and the importance of navigating them without losing one’s identity.
“Transitions can be scary, exhilarating or both,” she said. “But anything’s possible. And when you get to the other side, you’re going to be okay.”
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