Melinda Gates has unveiled emotional insights into her split from Bill Gates in her new memoir, The Next Day, shedding light on the turbulent moments that led to their divorce. The book, released on April 16, 2025, revisits pivotal events from 2019, which Melinda identifies as a turning point in their 27-year marriage.
In a powerful excerpt, she reflects on a New York Times exposé that detailed Bill's alleged extramarital affairs and his troubling association with convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein. "That October, things had reached a fever pitch when The New York Times published a deeply disturbing article... suggesting he had betrayed not only our marriage but also my values," Melinda writes.
Melinda had previously expressed her discomfort with Bill's meetings with Epstein during a 2022 interview, stating, "I did not like that he had meetings with Jeffrey Epstein, no. I made that clear to him." She admitted to meeting Epstein once herself, only to instantly regret it, saying, "He was abhorrent. He was evil personified. My heart breaks for these women." This sentiment echoes Bill's own reflections in his memoir, Source Code, where he told the Wall Street Journal: "In retrospect, I was foolish to spend any time with him. It was just a huge mistake."
The memoir also touches on a report from the Wall Street Journal that alleged Epstein threatened to expose Bill's affair with Russian bridge player Mila Antonova after Gates declined to join Epstein's charitable fund.
Melinda describes the decision to leave her marriage as one of the most challenging yet empowering choices of her life. She stated, "Leaving my marriage was one of the hardest and most important things I’ve ever done." Since their separation, both have moved on; Melinda is now dating entrepreneur Philip Vaughn, while Bill is in a relationship with philanthropist Paula Hurd. Despite the personal upheaval, the couple continues to co-parent their three children amicably.
In addition to her memoir, Melinda opened up about her marriage during an appearance on The Late Show with Stephen Colbert. She explained that the lack of honesty in their relationship ultimately forced her to end it. "To have a trusted relationship, which is what I want in marriage, both partners have to be honest with one another. And if you can’t, you can’t have intimacy and you can’t have trust. And so, in the end, I had to go," she said.
Melinda also revealed that her separation from Bill was kept private for over a year before it became public. "You have to stay true to yourself always, right?" she told People, emphasizing the importance of authenticity in her journey. "It was important for me to be real," she noted, adding that she hopes her story might help others facing similar struggles.
In her current relationship with Vaughn, Melinda expressed her happiness, stating she is in a "pretty great" place. Vaughn, the founder and executive chairman of Tavour, has been seen alongside Melinda in public, including a helicopter ride in New York City in 2024. His LinkedIn profile reveals a history with Microsoft, which adds another layer to their connection.
As for Bill, he continues to navigate life post-divorce with Hurd, focusing on his philanthropic efforts and co-parenting their children: Jennifer, 28, Rory, 25, and Phoebe, 22. The couple's amicable relationship, despite their separation, highlights their commitment to their family.
The revelations in Melinda's memoir provide not only a personal narrative of her life post-divorce but also a broader commentary on the importance of honesty and self-identity in relationships. As she moves forward, Melinda aims to inspire others to embrace their truths and find empowerment in their choices.
