Melinda Gates Labels Divorce from Bill Gates 'Necessary'; A Look at Both Perspectives

Melinda French Gates replied strongly to recent comments from her former husband Bill Gates expressing regret at their breakup, saying definitively that the separation was "necessary."

At an open interview to The Sunday Times, the 60-year-old philanthropist spoke on behalf of Bill Gates' comments earlier in January that had used the phrase "the mistake [he] most" regretted while describing their breakdown.

Melinda was straightforward on her reaction: "It was something that was necessary," she insisted. "If you can't live your values out inside your most intimate relationship, it was necessary."

Bill Gates and wife Melinda French Gates, married for 27 years, completed their divorce in 2021. The couple shares three children: Jennifer (28), Rory (25), and Phoebe (22).

Bill Gates on Divorce and Family Wealth
During his January interview, Bill Gates cited the personal effect of their divorce, acknowledging it was his "biggest mistake" to end the marriage. His words came shortly after another disclosure of plans about his children's inheritance.

Bill Gates, who is currently estimated to have a net value of $108 billion as of 2025, discussed the amount of wealth he plans on leaving to his children during an appearance on March 29's Figuring Out with Raj Shamani podcast. "Everyone gets to choose on that," Gates replied. "In my instance, my kids received an outstanding upbringing and schooling but less than one percent of the overall fortune."

Even though this figure is relatively small, it still equates to well over $1 billion, which would provide his children with a very wealthy existence. Gates attributed his decision to wanting his children to make their own ways: "It's not a dynasty," he said. "I'm not expecting them to do Microsoft. I want to let them have their own success and earnings, be meaningful and not overshadowed by the unbelievable luck and good fortune that I experienced."

Phoebe Gates Makes Entrepreneurial Leap with Kim Kardashian's Mentorship
This independence impulse is seen through the actions of the Gates' youngest child, Phoebe, who co-founded a fashion-tech startup company called Phia with her old Stanford University dorm-mate Sophia Kianni. The e-commerce app, which Phoebe calls "a new way to shop online," got an unanticipated boost courtesy of celebrity mogul Kim Kardashian.

Prior to Phia's launch, Phoebe had a FaceTime call with Kardashian, who provided personal guidance on dealing with media coverage. "Girls, did I not teach you anything about media training?" Kim rhetorically asked in the Instagram video, stressing that they must take care with their media presence.

The exchange showcases both the backing for Phoebe's business and the increasing prominence of the Gates children as they establish their own professional careers, independent of their parents' achievements.