Melinda French Gates' love life just got an update.
The ex-wife of Microsoft cofounder Bill Gates has revealed that she is dating again, more than three years after the former couple formally ended their marriage.
“I am, yes," the 60-year-old told People in an interview published April 2, adding that she's "very, very happy."
While the billionaire philanthropist did not name her new partner, she made her comments five months after she was photographed walking and holding hands with tech entrepreneur Philip Vaughn in New York City in October.
The 48-year-old is the founder of Tavour, a craft beer delivery company, and had previously worked for more than eight years at Microsoft—also Melinda’s former employer—until 2008, according to his LinkedIn.
This is not the first person Melinda has dated since she and Bill, 69, finalized their divorce in August 2021 after more than 27 years of marriage. In November 2022, she was romantically linked to former Fox News correspondent Jon Du Pre. However, by April 2024, her rep told People Melinda is "no longer dating" him.
Bill—who shares children Jennifer Gates Nassar, 28, Rory Gates, 25, and Phoebe Gates, 22, with Melinda—has also moved on since the divorce. He has been dating Paula Hurd, wife of late Oracle CEO Mark Hurd, for more than two years.
In January, Bill called his divorce to Melinda "the mistake I most regret," telling the U.K. newspaper The Times, "You would have to put that at the top of the list. There are others but none that matter. The divorce thing was miserable for me and Melinda for at least two years."
The fellow philanthropist said there is a "certain wonderfulness to spending your entire adult life with one person because of the memories and depth of things you have done and having kids together."
"When Melinda and I met, I was fairly successful but not ridiculously successful—that came during the time that we were together," he continued. "So, she saw me through a lot."
Bill later revised his stance about the former couple's split.
"Despite the fact that the divorce wasn't great," the Source Code author said during a Feb. 4 appearance on Today, "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."
At the time, Bill also confirmed he was dating Paula. "I'm lucky to have a serious girlfriend," he said of the 63-year-old. "We're having fun, going to the Olympics and lots of great things."
Look back at some of most expensive celeb divorces...
Tiger Woods & Elin Nordegren
The golf star's reputation was shattered when news broke about his adulterous behavior with not one, not two, but dozens of women. He and his wife, Swedish model Elin Nordegren, officially divorced in August of 2010 after being married for nearly six years and having two children together. Tiger reportedly handed over a whopping $750 million(!) in their divorce, although the final settlement was undisclosed.
Jennifer Lopez & Cris Judd
"Love Don't Cost a Thing..." Or does it? After Cris was hired to direct this music video for J.Lo, the pair married in September of 2001. However, the singer-actress filed for divorce from her husband and former choreographer after less than a year of marriage, citing irreconcilable differences. Although they settled for an undisclosed amount, there are numerous reports J.Lo shelled out $14 million.
Mel & Robyn Gibson
Oh Mel…in one of the priciest Hollywood divorces to date, Robyn Gibson, Mel's wife of 28 years reportedly received half of Mel's $850 million net worth, thanks to no prenuptial agreement. The couple had seven children together and according to E! News reports, the longtime duo spent two years ironing out their settlement.
Madonna & Guy Ritchie
Leave it to Madge to break tradition—in this case, it was the wife dolling out cash to her ex-hubby. After seven years of marriage, Madonna and Ritchie called it quits in 2008, and lucky for Guy, the couple did not have a prenuptial agreement. The price tag? Between $72 million and $92 million, the pop icon's spokeswoman said at the time.
Paul McCartney & Heather Mills
From the church to the courtroom…Paul McCartney and Heather Mills said their "I do's" in 2002, but called it quits just four years later in 2006. Following a slew of legal battles, Mills reportedly received nearly $48.7 million of Paul's fortune when their divorce was finalized in 2008. In addition, Heather allegedly received an addition $70,000 a month for their then 4-year-old daughter Beatrice.
Donald & Ivana Trump
Donald and Ivana married in a lavish ceremony in 1977, but divorced in 1992 amidst rumors of his reported affair with former beauty queen Marla Maples. After three children and 15 years together, Ivana reportedly received $20 million, although the settlement remains sealed by courts.
Kevin & Cindy Costner
Oh, the troubles of young love. College sweethearts Kevin and Cindy married in 1978 when the two were both still in school and divorced 16 years later in 1994. They had three children together, Annie, Lily and Joe. Cindy reportedly received $80 million in the settlement.
Neil Diamond & Marcia Murphey
Neil reportedly fell in love with the TV producer while he was still married to his first wife, Jane Posner. Marcia married the singer-songwriter in 1969, had two of his children, sons Jesse and Micah, filed for divorce 25 years later, citing irreconcilable differences, and walked away with half of Neil's earnings—$150 million. However, Neil isn't bitter; he later said that "she's worth every penny."
Michael & Juanita Jordan
After 17 years together and an attempt at reconciliation, basketball star Michael Jordan and his wife, Juanita, officially divorced in 2006. The duo tied the knot in 1989 in Las Vegas and have three children together. In a massive divorce settlement, Michael reportedly shelled out $168 million.
Kenny Rogers & Marianne Gordon
Country crooner Kenny Rogers is no stranger to divorce—he's been married five times—but the most expensive split was with his fourth wife, Marianne Gordon. After 16 years of marriage and one child together, the couple divorced in 1993 and Rogers reportedly shelled out a cool $60 million.
Lionel & Diane Richie
Lionel Richie and Diane Alexander, a former dancer and fashion designer, called it quits in 2003 after seven years, two kids and a slew of irreconcilable differences. In Diane's alimony petition, she reportedly claimed a monthly clothing allowance of $15,000 as well as a plastic surgery budget of $20,000 a year. The payout? An estimated $20 million from Richie.
Ron Perelman & Ellen Barkin
The businessman married his fourth wife in June of 2000 after meeting the actress at a Vanity Fair Oscar afterparty. Their marriage ended in 2006. Ellen reportedly received an "enormous" settlement and also allegedly made more than $20 million when she sold off jewelry Ron had once given her.
Steven Spielberg & Amy Irving
On again…off again…on again…then off again for good. The actress dated the director briefly in the late ‘70s—breaking up to momentarily date Willie Nelson, her costar in the film Honeysuckle Rose—and married Steven in 1985. Unfortunately, the flame was only rekindled for four years, and in 1989, the two divorced and Amy reportedly walked away with a $100 million settlement.
Harrison Ford & Melissa Mathison
After 18 years together and a brief attempt at reconciliation, Harrison Ford and Melissa Mathison called in quits in 2001. The couple—who have two children together—officially dissolved their marriage in 2004. After two decades together, no prenup and millions at stake, Melissa reportedly received a whopping $118 million of Harrison's cash.
Alex Rodriguez & Cynthia Scurtis
Alex and Cynthia called it quits in 2008 after six years and two children together. The final settlement in the multi-million dollar case remains undisclosed.
Michael Douglas & Diandra Luker
The Oscar-winning actor married the daughter of an Austrian diplomat, who was 19 at the time, in 1977, and had a son with her a year later. In 1995, Diane filed for divorce and reportedly received a $45 million settlement, as well as a share in projects related to work Michael did while they were together.
Hulk & Linda Hogan
After 23 years of marriage and two children, daughter Brooke and son Nick, Linda filed for divorce from her husband when she heard of the professional wrestler's affair with 33-year-old Christiane Plante. Linda reportedly received an agreement worth over $30 million, including more than 70 percent of the couple's liquid assets, a handful of luxury cars, $3 million property settlement and 40 percent ownership in his companies.
Mick Jagger & Jerry Hall
The Rolling Stones frontman married the model in 1990. Jerry filed for divorce in 1999 after she discovered Mick fathered a child with Brazilian model Luciana Morad. But after nine years together, Jerry was allegedly awarded $25 million in their divorce settlement.
Jeff Gordon & Brooke Sealey
The Daytona 500 winner married Brooke in 1994, only to divorce eight years later in 2002. Although the former couple didn't have any children together Jeff still coughed up a hefty settlement—a reported $15 million.