Melinda French Gates has opened up about the tumultuous moments in her marriage to Bill Gates, detailing the emotional journey that ultimately led to their divorce. In a candid interview with People magazine, published on April 2, Melinda reflects on the difficult periods of their relationship, including Bill’s admitted infidelity. She shares that a recurring nightmare in 2019—where she envisioned their family home collapsing and her children falling into an abyss—served as a pivotal moment for her. “I knew in that moment that I was going to have to make a decision and that I was going to have to make it by myself,” she stated.

By early 2020, Melinda confronted the daunting task of asking Bill to live separately, describing it as “one of the scariest conversations” she ever had. By the end of that year, she had made the decision to formally end their marriage. Although she acknowledges that the reasons for their divorce are ultimately Bill’s to share, she highlights the importance of therapy in allowing her to cope with the betrayals she faced without losing herself in the process.

Since their separation was announced in May 2021, both Melinda and Bill have been open about their feelings regarding the split. Bill has referred to the end of their marriage as “the mistake I most regret,” emphasizing the emotional toll it took on both of them. In contrast, Melinda has expressed that while the divorce has been painful, it is not something she would wish on any family.

As Melinda prepares to release her upcoming book, she continues to navigate her new life post-divorce, highlighting the complexities of moving forward while reflecting on a significant chapter of her life.