Melinda French Gates is getting real about why she ended her 27-year marriage to Bill Gates ¡ª and she¡¯s not sugarcoating it. Chatting with Stephen Colbert on The Late Show, she opened up about the breakdown of trust in their relationship.
¡®To have a trusted relationship, which is what I wanted in marriage, both partners have to be honest with one another,¡¯ she said. ¡®And if you can¡¯t, you can¡¯t have intimacy and you can¡¯t have trust. So in the end, I had to go.¡¯? ? ? ? ? ? ?
Their split in 2021 made headlines around the world, but Melinda says it wasn¡¯t some sudden decision ¡ª it was a long, emotional process, filled with soul-searching (and, according to her memoir, even some pretty haunting nightmares).
?Though the breakup was rough, Melinda says she¡¯s grown a lot since. On Good Morning America, she called the whole thing ¡®painful¡¯ but also said there were important lessons in the mess. She¡¯s now sharing those reflections in her new memoir The Next Day, hoping it helps others going through major life pivots.
?Melinda confirmed she¡¯s in a new relationship, calling it ¡®pretty great.¡¯ She didn¡¯t name names (classic soft-launch energy), but earlier this month she told PEOPLE she¡¯s ¡®very, very happy¡¯ and enjoying this next chapter.?
?While some people are rooting for her, others are calling out the billions she received in the divorce ¡ª and they're not holding back.
One user posted, ¡®She¡¯s out here talking about healing and growth, but let¡¯s not forget she walked away with how much? That¡¯s billionaire-level heartbreak.¡¯
Another added, ¡®Love that she¡¯s thriving, but the whole thing feels like a luxury rebrand. Divorce looks different when you're cashing out.¡¯
While opinions may vary, it¡¯s evident Melinda is embracing the next chapter of her life. What do you think?