Melinda French Gates has opened up about her decision to divorce billionaire ex-husband Bill Gates, citing a lack of honesty and trust in their 27-year marriage. In a candid interview on The Late Show with Stephen Colbert, the 60-year-old philanthropist revealed that the absence of trust and intimacy made it impossible for her to continue the relationship.
"Honesty is essential in a trusted relationship," Melinda said. "If you can't have honesty, you can't have intimacy or trust. So in the end, I had to go." While she didn't go into detail about the specific causes of the trust issues, Melinda has previously acknowledged that Bill's friendship with convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein was a major factor in their split.
Despite the painful breakup, Melinda said she's moved on and is embracing her new chapter. She's currently dating and described the experience as "pretty great." Bill Gates has admitted to making "mistakes" during their marriage and takes responsibility, but hasn't confirmed any infidelity.
The couple finalized their divorce in 2021 after 27 years of marriage. Melinda's revelation provides a rare insight into the end of their high-profile relationship.
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