Melinda Gates says she's 'very, very happy' in new relationship following divorce from Bill Gates

Four years after her highly publicised divorce from Microsoft co-founder Bill Gates , philanthropist Melinda French Gates has confirmed she is in a new relationship. In an interview with People magazine while promoting her upcoming memoir The Next Day, the 60-year-old shared that she is "very, very happy" in her current personal life. Although she chose not to reveal the identity of her partner, her remarks have garnered significant public interest, particularly as she steps further into a new chapter following the end of her 27-year marriage. French Gates’s comments reflect a balance of contentment and privacy as she continues to focus on her philanthropic and personal endeavors.


Melinda Gates opens up about her new relationship

During the interview, Melinda French Gates was asked directly if she was currently dating someone. With a smile, she confirmed, "I am, yes," emphasizing that she is "very, very happy." Despite the confirmation, French Gates maintained discretion, stating, "I'm just going to leave it there," opting not to disclose her partner’s name or any further personal details. Her preference for privacy marks a deliberate approach to managing public curiosity while maintaining boundaries around her personal life.


Melinda Gates’ new relationship fuels speculation after hand-holding photo

Speculation about Melinda French Gates’s romantic life intensified five months ago when she was photographed holding hands with Philip Vaughn, a 48-year-old tech entrepreneur, in New York City. Vaughn is known as the founder and chairman of Tavour, a craft beer delivery company. His professional background also includes a nearly decade-long tenure at Microsoft, where he worked from 1999 to 2008. Although neither French Gates nor Vaughn has publicly confirmed a relationship, their appearance together fueled widespread assumptions.
Before Vaughn, French Gates was briefly linked to former Fox News correspondent Jon Du Pre. However, in April 2024, a spokesperson for French Gates confirmed that the two were "no longer dating."


Melinda Gates on life after divorce: 'No rush' to remarry

Following her divorce, Melinda French Gates has embraced a lifestyle focused on balance and fulfillment. She shared that she now enjoys quiet evenings at home, whether in the company of close friends, someone she "cares about deeply," or simply by herself. Looking to the future, she expressed openness to the idea of marriage but emphasized that it would only happen "if it’s the right person and the right time." Reflecting on her current stage in life, she remarked, "The nice thing I will say at the age I am is there's just no rush. The pressure’s off."


Bill Gates’s post-divorce life

Meanwhile, Bill Gates, 69, has also moved forward in his personal life. He is currently dating Paula Hurd, 63, the widow of former Oracle CEO Mark Hurd. During a February 4 appearance on NBC’s Today show, Gates spoke about his relationship, stating, "I’m lucky to have a serious girlfriend. We’re having fun, going to the Olympics and lots of great things."

Despite finding happiness again, Gates has openly reflected on the difficulties of the divorce. In a January interview with The Times, he described the separation as "the mistake I most regret," admitting that it had been a "miserable" experience for at least two years before their official split. Nevertheless, he later nuanced his comments during his Today interview, saying, "Despite the fact that the divorce wasn’t great, having those three kids, the work we were able to do together – even if I knew that it wouldn’t last forever, I would still do it again."


Family and future plans

Bill and Melinda French Gates share three children: Jennifer Gates Nassar, 28; Rory Gates, 25; and Phoebe Gates, 22. Throughout the challenges of their divorce, the former couple has emphasized their ongoing commitment to co-parenting and their collaborative philanthropic efforts.

In recent months, Bill Gates also made headlines regarding his estate planning decisions. He revealed that each of his three children would inherit less than 1% of his fortune, which is currently valued at over $100 billion according to Forbes. As of April 14, 2025, Gates’s net worth was estimated at $107.5 billion. Even 1% of that amount would translate to more than $1 billion per child, signaling significant wealth transfer despite the modest percentage.


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