Melinda French Gates’ net worth: Life after her billion-dollar divorce
French Gates’ new memoir, “The Next Day: Transitions, Change, and Moving Forward,” provides more details on why she left the Gates Foundation—and her marriage to Bill Gates; here’s what Melinda has been up to since her 2021 divorce.
Melinda French Gates is no stranger to change: After three children and more than two decades of being Mrs. Bill Gates, wife of the planet’s richest man, she knew she needed to end her marriage. In her reasons why, French Gates alluded to her husband’s previous affairs with Microsoft employees, his ties to convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein, and the simple fact that they no longer shared trust or honesty together, which are critical components to sustaining a relationship.
French Gates knew that divorcing her husband wouldn’t be easy—after all, Bill Gates is one of the toughest negotiators in the business world—but in an interview with People Magazine she said that it was something she “had to” do. The Gateses separated in 2019, and their divorce took 2 years to complete, with both parties acknowledging the pained they endured. But when all was said and done, their divorce was finalized on August 2, 2021, and since they did not have a prenuptial agreement, French Gates walked away with a reported $25 billion settlement—making it the most expensive divorce in history.
So, what is French Gates doing with all of her money?
