Melinda Gates Speaks On Divorce From Bill Gates: "It Just Wasn't Healthy"

BY Erika Marie 2.7K Views
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She also addressed her ex-husband's alleged affair with a Microsoft employee.

The very mention of billionaire divorces is enough to capture the attention of the public, so when it was shared that Bill Gates and now-ex-wife Melinda French Gates had split, the couple made headlines. There were reports of the Microsoft co-founder engaging in an affair, and by August 2021, Bill and Melinda were officially divorced. Now, for the first time, Melinda has sat down for an interview where she details the dissolution of her marriage to one of the most influential men in the world.

The philanthropist spoke with Gayle King for CBS Mornings where she stated that she knew that her husband engaged in an affair 20 years ago with a Microsoft employee. The couple was married for 27 years.

Brian Ach / Stringer / Getty Images

"I certainly believe in forgiveness, so I thought we had worked through some of that," she said. "It wasn't one moment or one specific thing that happened. There just came a point in time where there was enough there that I realized it just wasn't healthy, and I couldn't trust what we had."

She admitted to spending many of her days in tears before shifting to anger. "That's part of the grieving process. You're grieving a loss of something you thought you had and thought you had for your lifetime," she said. "I do feel like I'm turning a page in the chapter. I mean, it's 2022 and I'm actually really excited about what's to come and life ahead for me."

Watch the clip of the interview below.



About The Author
Since 2019, Erika Marie has worked as a journalist for HotNewHipHop, covering music, film, television, art, fashion, politics, and all things regarding entertainment. With 20 years in the industry under her belt, Erika Marie moved from a writer on the graveyard shift at HNHH to becoming a Features Editor, highlighting long-form content and interviews with some of Hip Hop’s biggest stars. She has had the pleasure of sitting down with artists and personalities like DJ Jazzy Jeff, Salt ’N Pepa, Nick Cannon, Rah Digga, Rakim, Rapsody, Ari Lennox, Jacquees, Roxanne Shante, Yo-Yo, Sean Paul, Raven Symoné, Queen Naija, Ryan Destiny, DreamDoll, DaniLeigh, Sean Kingston, Reginae Carter, Jason Lee, Kamaiyah, Rome Flynn, Zonnique, Fantasia, and Just Blaze—just to name a few. In addition to one-on-one chats with influential public figures, Erika Marie also covers content connected to the culture. She’s attended and covered the BET Awards as well as private listening parties, the Rolling Loud festival, and other events that emphasize established and rising talents. Detroit-born and Long Beach (CA)-raised, Erika Marie has eclectic music taste that often helps direct the interests she focuses on here at HNHH. She finds it necessary to report on cultural conversations with respect and honor those on the mic and the hardworking teams that help get them there. Moreover, as an advocate for women, Erika Marie pays particular attention to the impact of femcees. She sits down with rising rappers for HNHH—like Big Jade, Kali, Rubi Rose, Armani Caesar, Amy Luciani, and Omerettà—to gain their perspectives on a fast-paced industry.