Melinda French Gates Addresses “Betrayals” in Bill Gates Marriage

Melinda French Gates is telling her story on her own terms.

Almost four years after she and Bill Gates announced their divorce, the Pivotal Ventures founder writes in her book, The Next Day, about what she called “betrayals” in their 27-year-marriage.

“It takes courage forging a different life,” Melinda, 60, told People in an interview published April 2. “When you change paths, you realize, oh, it’s a big opening.”

Of the biggest lesson she’s learned during her divorce, the entrepreneur added, “You have to stay true to yourself always, right?”

While Melinda mentions that the reason for the divorce is for Bill to share, she writes in the book via People, that seeking therapy “made it possible for me to respond to the betrayals in my marriage without betraying myself in return.”

Melinda and Bill, who are parents of Jennifer Gates Nassar, 28, Rory Gates, 25, and Phoebe Gates, 22, announced the end of their marriage in May 2021. Since, the pair have candidly spoken about their split, with the Microsoft co-founder calling the end of his marriage, “The mistake I most regret.”

"You would have to put that at the top of the list,” Bill, 69, told The Times in January. “There are others but none that matter. The divorce thing was miserable for me and Melinda for at least two years."

In turn, Melinda reacted to her ex-husband’s comments revealing that she doesn’t feel the same way.

“Look, divorces are painful,” she said last month in an interview with Elle in March. “And it’s not something I would wish on any family."

For his part, Bill has been in a relationship with  Paula Hurd—who is the widow of Oracle CEO Mark Hurd—since 2023. And has since changed his tune about his initial comments about the split.

“It’s even hard for me to complain about things,” he said during a Feb. 4 appearance on Today. “I moved past the divorce, Melinda’s doing well. I got a lot of work that I love to do. Despite the fact that the divorce wasn’t great, having those three kids and the work we were able to do, even if I knew it wouldn’t last forever, I would still do it again.”

Keep reading for more couples who had expensive splits…

The golf star's reputation was shattered when news broke about his adulterous behavior with not one, not two, but dozens of women. He and his wife, Swedish model Elin Nordegren, officially divorced in August of 2010 after being married for nearly six years and having two children together. Tiger reportedly handed over a whopping $750 million(!) in their divorce, although the final settlement was undisclosed.

"Love Don't Cost a Thing..." Or does it? After Cris was hired to direct this music video for J.Lo, the pair married in September of 2001. However, the singer-actress filed for divorce from her husband and former choreographer after less than a year of marriage, citing irreconcilable differences. Although they settled for an undisclosed amount, there are numerous reports J.Lo shelled out $14 million.

Oh Mel…in one of the priciest Hollywood divorces to date, Robyn Gibson, Mel's wife of 28 years reportedly received half of Mel's $850 million net worth, thanks to no prenuptial agreement. The couple had seven children together and according to E! News reports, the longtime duo spent two years ironing out their settlement.

Leave it to Madge to break tradition—in this case, it was the wife dolling out cash to her ex-hubby. After seven years of marriage, Madonna and Ritchie called it quits in 2008, and lucky for Guy, the couple did not have a prenuptial agreement. The price tag? Between $72 million and $92 million, the pop icon's spokeswoman said at the time.

From the church to the courtroom…Paul McCartney and Heather Mills said their "I do's" in 2002, but called it quits just four years later in 2006. Following a slew of legal battles, Mills reportedly received nearly $48.7 million of Paul's fortune when their divorce was finalized in 2008. In addition, Heather allegedly received an addition $70,000 a month for their then 4-year-old daughter Beatrice.

Donald and Ivana married in a lavish ceremony in 1977, but divorced in 1992 amidst rumors of his reported affair with former beauty queen Marla Maples. After three children and 15 years together, Ivana reportedly received $20 million, although the settlement remains sealed by courts.

Oh, the troubles of young love. College sweethearts Kevin and Cindy married in 1978 when the two were both still in school and divorced 16 years later in 1994. They had three children together, Annie, Lily and Joe. Cindy reportedly received $80 million in the settlement.

Neil reportedly fell in love with the TV producer while he was still married to his first wife, Jane Posner. Marcia married the singer-songwriter in 1969, had two of his children, sons Jesse and Micah, filed for divorce 25 years later, citing irreconcilable differences, and walked away with half of Neil's earnings—$150 million. However, Neil isn't bitter; he later said that "she's worth every penny."

After 17 years together and an attempt at reconciliation, basketball star Michael Jordan and his wife, Juanita, officially divorced in 2006. The duo tied the knot in 1989 in Las Vegas and have three children together. In a massive divorce settlement, Michael reportedly shelled out $168 million.

Country crooner Kenny Rogers is no stranger to divorce—he's been married five times—but the most expensive split was with his fourth wife, Marianne Gordon. After 16 years of marriage and one child together, the couple divorced in 1993 and Rogers reportedly shelled out a cool $60 million.

Lionel Richie and Diane Alexander, a former dancer and fashion designer, called it quits in 2003 after seven years, two kids and a slew of irreconcilable differences. In Diane's alimony petition, she reportedly claimed a monthly clothing allowance of $15,000 as well as a plastic surgery budget of $20,000 a year. The payout? An estimated $20 million from Richie.

The businessman married his fourth wife in June of 2000 after meeting the actress at a Vanity Fair Oscar afterparty. Their marriage ended in 2006. Ellen reportedly received an "enormous" settlement and also allegedly made more than $20 million when she sold off jewelry Ron had once given her. 

On again…off again…on again…then off again for good. The actress dated the director briefly in the late ‘70s—breaking up to momentarily date Willie Nelson, her costar in the film Honeysuckle Rose—and married Steven in 1985. Unfortunately, the flame was only rekindled for four years, and in 1989, the two divorced and Amy reportedly walked away with a $100 million settlement.

After 18 years together and a brief attempt at reconciliation, Harrison Ford and Melissa Mathison called in quits in 2001. The couple—who have two children together—officially dissolved their marriage in 2004. After two decades together, no prenup and millions at stake, Melissa reportedly received a whopping $118 million of Harrison's cash.

Alex and Cynthia called it quits in 2008 after six years and two children together. The final settlement in the multi-million dollar case remains undisclosed.

The Oscar-winning actor married the daughter of an Austrian diplomat, who was 19 at the time, in 1977, and had a son with her a year later. In 1995, Diane filed for divorce and reportedly received a $45 million settlement, as well as a share in projects related to work Michael did while they were together.

After 23 years of marriage and two children, daughter Brooke and son Nick, Linda filed for divorce from her husband when she heard of the professional wrestler's affair with 33-year-old Christiane Plante. Linda reportedly received an agreement worth over $30 million, including more than 70 percent of the couple's liquid assets, a handful of luxury cars, $3 million property settlement and 40 percent ownership in his companies.

The Rolling Stones frontman married the model in 1990. Jerry filed for divorce in 1999 after she discovered Mick fathered a child with Brazilian model Luciana Morad. But after nine years together, Jerry was allegedly awarded $25 million in their divorce settlement.

The Daytona 500 winner married Brooke in 1994, only to divorce eight years later in 2002. Although the former couple didn't have any children together Jeff still coughed up a hefty settlement—a reported $15 million.

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