BOMBSHELL: Bill Gates’ Marriage to Melinda Exposed

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

Over three-and-a-half years following the public announcement of their divorce, the founder of Pivotal Ventures discusses “infidelities” in her book titled “The Next Day“, which refers to her 27-year marriage with Bill Gates.

Melinda, aged 60, expressed to People magazine on April 2 that it requires bravery to embark on a new life path. She added, “As you switch directions, you come to understand, wow, it’s a vast expanse opening up.

During her divorce, the entrepreneur emphasized a valuable lesson: “It’s crucial to remain authentic at all times, isn’t it?

In her book as shared by People, Melinda expresses that undergoing therapy enabled her to address the infidelities in her marriage without compromising herself in the process.

In May 2021, Melinda and Bill, who are the parents of Jennifer Gates Nassar (age 28), Rory Gates (25), and Phoebe Gates (22) publicly announced their decision to end their marriage. Since then, they have been open about their separation, with Bill, co-founder of Microsoft, expressing that the dissolution of their union is the mistake he regrets most deeply.

Bill, aged 69, stated to The Times in January that “it should be placed at the top of the list,” emphasizing its importance over other issues. For at least two years, the divorce process was a source of great misery for him and Melinda.

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

She expressed, “Divorces can be very distressing,” she stated during her interview with Elle magazine in March. “I wouldn’t want anyone to experience this hardship within their family.

Since 2023, Bill has been in a relationship with Paula Hurd, who is the widow of Oracle’s former CEO, Mark Hurd. He has since modified his stance on his earlier remarks concerning their separation.

He expressed during his Feb 4 interview on Today, “It’s challenging for me to express dissatisfaction about things. I’ve moved on from the divorce, Melinda is thriving. I have a wealth of work that I truly enjoy. Although the divorce wasn’t ideal, having our three children and the work we accomplished, knowing it wouldn’t last forever, I would choose to do it all over again.

Keep reading for more couples who had expensive splits…

The renowned golfer’s image crumbled dramatically when it became public knowledge that he had multiple affairs with numerous women. He and his Swedish model wife, Elin Nordegren, finalized their divorce in August 2010, following almost six years of marriage and the birth of two children together. Reports suggest that Tiger paid an astounding $750 million (amazingly large!) in their divorce, although the exact settlement figure remained undisclosed.

The phrase “Love Don’t Cost a Thing…” might seem to imply love is free, but the story of Jennifer Lopez and Cris Judd suggests otherwise. After Judd directed her music video in 2001, they got married, only to file for divorce after a short period due to irreconcilable differences. Although the exact settlement amount remained undisclosed, numerous reports claim J.Lo paid $14 million as part of their divorce.

Mel, it seems that in one of Hollywood’s most expensive divorces so far, your ex-wife Robyn Gibson, who was married to you for 28 years, allegedly received half of your $850 million fortune due to the absence of a prenuptial agreement. The couple shared seven children and, as TopMob News reports, they spent two years negotiating their divorce settlement.

In an unexpected twist, it was Madge who took the lead in defying tradition – here, the role of giving money to an ex-spouse fell to her. After a seven-year marriage that ended in 2008, Madonna and Ritchie decided to part ways, leaving Guy fortunate since there was no prenuptial agreement in place. The total cost? Between $72 million and $92 million, as reported by the pop icon’s representative at the time.

Starting from the church where they exchanged vows in 2002, Paul McCartney and Heather Mills parted ways in 2006, four years into their marriage. After a series of legal disputes, Mills reportedly received approximately $48.7 million from McCartney’s wealth when their divorce was officially settled in 2008. Furthermore, it is claimed that Heather also got an extra $70,000 per month for their daughter Beatrice who was only 4 years old at the time.

In a grand wedding in 1977, Donald and Ivana got married, but they parted ways in 1992 due to whispers of an alleged affair between Donald and Marla Maples, a previous beauty pageant winner. After spending 15 years together and having three children, it was reported that Ivana received approximately $20 million from the divorce settlement, though the details have been kept private by the courts.

Back then, the challenges of youthful affection were evident for Kevin and Cindy. They tied the knot in 1978, during their college years, only to part ways again in 1994, 16 years later. Among the fruits of their union were Annie, Lily, and Joe. It is said that Cindy walked away with an $80 million settlement following their divorce.

It is said that Neil fell in love with a TV producer while he was married to his first wife, Jane Posner. In 1969, Marcia wed the singer-songwriter, had two of his sons, Jesse and Micah. They divorced 25 years later due to irreconcilable differences, leaving Marcia with half of Neil’s fortune worth $150 million. Despite this, Neil doesn’t hold a grudge; he considered it a fair price, stating “she’s worth every penny.

17 years after their union, basketball legend Michael Jordan and his wife Juanita finalized their divorce in 2006, having initially exchanged vows in Las Vegas back in 1989. They share three children together. According to reports, the highly publicized divorce settlement amounted to approximately $168 million for Michael.

Country music legend Kenny Rogers has experienced divorce multiple times, being married five in total. However, his costliest separation was with his fourth spouse, Marianne Gordon. After 16 years of marriage and sharing one child, they divorced in 1993. It is said that Kenny paid around $60 million as a part of their settlement.

As an ardent admirer, I can’t help but share the story of Lionel Richie and Diane Alexander – a union that spanned seven years, produced two beautiful children, and ultimately ended in 2003 due to unresolved differences. In her alimony plea, it was reported that Diane, a former dancer and fashion designer, requested a monthly clothing allowance of $15,000 and an annual budget for plastic surgeries amounting to $20,000. The final tally? A staggering estimated $20 million from the legendary Lionel Richie.

In June of 2000, the businessman tied the knot with his fourth spouse, who was an actress, following their encounter at a Vanity Fair Oscar party. However, this union lasted only until 2006. It’s said that Ellen pocketed a substantial amount in alimony and even earned over $20 million by selling off jewelry once gifted by Ron post their separation.

The relationship between the actress and the director went through cycles of on-and-off throughout the late ’70s. She briefly dated Willie Nelson, her co-star from the movie “Honeysuckle Rose,” during one of these off-periods. They tied the knot in 1985, but their union lasted for just four years before they parted ways in 1989. Reportedly, Amy received a $100 million settlement upon divorce.

Following an 18-year union, a temporary reunion effort, and ultimately separating in 2001, Harrison Ford and Melissa Mathison legally ended their marriage in 2004. The pair, parents to two children, chose to part ways after 20 years together. With no prenuptial agreement in place and substantial assets on the line, it was reported that Melissa received approximately $118 million of Harrison’s earnings upon divorce settlement.

In 2008, after being together for six years and having two children, Alex and Cynthia ended their relationship. The specifics of their large-scale legal agreement have not been made public.

In 1977, the actor who won an Oscar got married to a young woman, aged 19, who was the daughter of an Austrian diplomat. A year later, they had a son. Unfortunately, in 1995, the marriage ended with a divorce, and it is said that Diane received a $45 million settlement, along with a share in projects associated with Michael’s work during their relationship.

23 years into their marriage and with two children, Brooke and Nick, Linda decided to divorce her husband upon learning about his affair with 33-year-old Christiane Plante. It is said that she was granted a settlement worth over $30 million, which included more than 70% of the couple’s liquid assets, several high-end vehicles, a $3 million property settlement, and 40% ownership in his businesses.

Back in 1990, the lead singer of The Rolling Stones got married to a model. However, trouble brewed in 1999 when he was reported to have fathered a child with another Brazilian model named Luciana Morad. After nine years as a couple, Jerry decided to seek a divorce. Rumor has it that the divorce settlement awarded him around $25 million.

In 1994, the victor of the Daytona 500 got married to Brooke; however, their marriage ended in divorce eight years later, in 2002. Despite not having any children together, Jeff was still obligated to pay a substantial settlement – approximately $15 million.

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2025-04-02 18:18