logo
Getty Images
Getty Images

Bill and Melinda Gates' Love Story — From Office Romance and Secret Wedding to 3 Kids and Divorce

Edduin Carvajal
May 05, 2021
08:55 A.M.

Bill Gates and his wife Melinda shocked the world with their plans to divorce after over three decades together. For her, it was not love at first sight.

Advertisement

Arguably the most influential couple of our generation, Bill and Melinda Gates met at a PC trade show in New York City in 1987, four months into her job as a product manager at Microsoft.

At the time, she realized he was funnier than she expected, but nothing much really happened. Months later, they met again in the Microsoft car park, and he asked her out.

Bill Gates and his wife Melinda Gates on February 12, 2019 | Photo: Getty Images

Bill Gates and his wife Melinda Gates on February 12, 2019 | Photo: Getty Images

MELINDA AND BILL’S FIRST DATE

However, things are not that common when it comes to Bill Gates – not even dating. Due to his packed schedule, Bill tried to set their first date two weeks later, but she refused as they had to wait too long. She even said he was not spontaneous enough for her.

Advertisement

Still, she asked him to call her closer to the date. Later that day, Bill contacted Melinda and asked if they could meet “quite late” that same night, and she replied, “well, yeah, that’s spontaneous.”

Advertisement

Since it was indeed late, Bill was unsure if any stores or restaurants would be open for them to go out, so they just sat at his home and talked. And it worked.

Bill, who has always loved Melinda's forthrightness, independence, and the fact that she was better educated, started dating her shortly after, but things were rather casual between the two.

Advertisement

Initially, they didn’t want to demand each other’s time. Bill once admitted Melinda had other boyfriends, and he had his company. One year into their relationship, they came to a crossroads.

According to Bill, they cared “a lot” for each other and saw only two possibilities for their future: they could either break up or get married. That was not an easy decision to make, though.

Advertisement

GETTING MARRIED

Melinda explained that she walked into his bedroom one day and saw him making a list on his whiteboard with all the pros and cons of marriage. While it was not the most romantic thing, Bill admitted he took the idea of marriage very seriously.

Bill Gates’ wife confessed that her husband was unsure if he wanted to make that commitment mainly because, although he wished to be married, he didn’t know if he could be a good husband while also running Microsoft.

Advertisement

Melinda once said Bill was adamant that he was having trouble deciding if he really wanted to walk down the aisle due to his work-life balance, not because of her.

On New Year’s Day 1994, Bill and Melinda Gates tied the knot in a private ceremony on the Hawaiian island of Lanai. The celebration took place at the golf course of the Four Seasons Resort Lanai.

[Bill Gates and his wife] don’t believe they can “grow together as a couple.”

Advertisement

LIFE AS A MARRIED COUPLE

Melinda and Bill Gates’ children started joining the family two years after they walked down the aisle. Their first kid, Jennifer, was born in April 1996. She attended Stanford University and is enrolled in med school in New York City.

The couple’s second child, Rory, was born in May 1999 and graduated from high school in 2018. He started going to the University of Chicago and is one of the most private members of the family.

Advertisement

Daughter Phoebe joined Melinda and Bill Gates’ family in September 2002. She also likes to live her life away from the spotlight and is expected to graduate from Lakeside School later this year.

In 2019, Bill and Melinda celebrated their 25th wedding anniversary, and they both tweeted about it. Melinda once revealed that being patient was one of the keys to their long marriage, especially because he needs “a little training.”

Advertisement

All good things come to an end, sadly. On May 3, 2021, the former couple released a statement announcing their plans to divorce as they don’t believe they can “grow together as a couple.”

At the moment, the details of Bill Gates and his wife’s divorce are scarce. He’s not the only billionaire to end their marriage, though, as Amazon’s owner Jeff Bezos did the same in 2019 and lost $38 billion in a divorce settlement.

Advertisement
info
Please fill in your e-mail so we can share with you our top stories!
By subscribing, you agree to our Privacy Policy
Advertisement
Related posts

Wife Finds 2 Airline Tickets in Husband’s Briefcase, Catches Him on Vacation with Old Lady — Story of the Day

February 22, 2024

Beach Boys’ Brian Wilson & His 5 Adopted Kids ‘Are Just in Tears’ as His Wife Dies at Home.

January 31, 2024

My Husband Invited Me to a Restaurant Then Demanded I Pay for Both of Us at the End of Our Meal

November 17, 2023

Goldie Hawn's Two Children Were Denied by Their Biological Dad despite His Next Wife’s Attempts to Reconcile the Families

December 28, 2023

Jimmy Deen Is Paula Deen's First Husband of 27 Years — More About Their Marriage

January 18, 2024

David Sanov Is Alison Sweeney's Husband of More Than 2 Decades

January 22, 2024

My Husband Insisted I Pay For Him and His Entire Family at a Restaurant Although It Was His Celebration

February 27, 2024

Willie Nelson's Last Marriage Is 'The Smartest Thing' He Did – He Built a Strong Family Following Death of His Son

January 08, 2024

'Days of Our Lives' Star Bill Hayes Dies, Survived by Family of 45 – Fans 'Can't Even Imagine' His Wife's Grief

January 13, 2024

Lola Burr Is Bill Burr's Little Daughter Who Is Good at Skateboarding

January 23, 2024

Michael Strahan's Custody Battle over His Twins That Lasted for Years

January 16, 2024

5 Karma Stories That Will Make You Think Twice before Acting

February 29, 2024

5 Karma Stories That Will Make You Think Twice before Acting

February 10, 2024

Mickey Middleton Is Bryan Cranston’s Ex-wife Who Is Also an Author

December 15, 2023