Melinda French Gates reveals 'grueling' divorce from tech billionaire Bill Gates came after months of nightmares

In her memoir "The Next Day," released April 14, Melinda describes the divorce as years in the making, triggered by a series of cryptic dreams that began in 2019. One particularly haunting vision, in which she saw herself falling into a void while her family stood helpless at the edge of a cliff, made her realize it was time for a major life change, according to People.

In February 2020, during a trip to New Mexico she had initially planned to take alone, she told him she wanted to live separately. "It was one of the scariest conversations I’d have had," Melinda recalls of the moment she decided to tell Bill.

Bill’s response, while "sad and upset," was described as "understanding and respectful," she wrote in her memoir.

Just months later, in the summer of 2020, Melinda formally asked for a divorce. The decision continued to weigh heavily on her, with Melinda describing the ensuing months as filled with panic attacks.

"Bill has a reputation for being one of the toughest negotiators in the world," she wrote, reflecting on the tense nature of their divorce proceedings.

Bill Gates and ex-wife Melinda French Gates. Photo courtesy of Melinda's Instagram

A joint statement released by the couple on May 3, 2021, confirmed the end of their marriage, following what Melinda described as "grueling" and lengthy negotiations. Melinda walked away with $6.3 billion in Microsoft stock, bringing her estimated net worth to $30 billion, as reported by Forbes.

Despite the challenges, Melinda has embraced her next chapter with optimism.

"It takes courage forging a different life," she said, noting her ongoing philanthropic efforts through Pivotal Ventures, where she continues to give away billions. "When you change paths, you realize, oh, it’s a big opening."

The philanthropist has also expressed happiness in her personal life. In a recent "Late Show" appearance, she confirmed she is "very, very happy." Melinda has been seen with her new partner, tech investor Philip Vaughn, whom she began dating in October 2024, according to Daily Mail.

Bill Gates, 69, has also moved on, dating Paula Hurd, widow of the former Oracle CEO Mark Hurd, since 2022.

The highly publicized divorce, finalized in August 2021. Melinda and Bill remain in Seattle, with their three children—Jennifer, 28, Rory, 25, and Phoebe, 22—now living on the U.S.'s East Coast.

The tech titan recently revealed that each of his three children will inherit less than 1% of his fortune, currently valued at over US$100 billion. According to Forbes, Gates’ net worth stood at $107.5 billion as of April 14. Even 1% of that sum would amount to more than $1 billion for each of his children.