Philanthropist Melinda French Gates shared her desire for people to see her "thriving" after her divorce from Microsoft Co-founder Bill Gates.

In an interview with Elle, Melinda discussed how her life has transformed since the separation and expressed that while divorces are “painful,” it is not something she would “wish on any family.”

When asked about a part of her book discussing the months before her divorce, Melinda recalled a trip to Santa Fe with Bill, where she realized that the house they had rented once belonged to a couple who had separated. Intrigued, she searched online to learn what had become of them. She was then asked what she would want someone to discover about her if they found themselves in her former home years later. Her response was, “She is thriving on the other side of a divorce… Just thriving.”

Regarding dating after her divorce, Melinda noted that it is not her current priority. While she has previously been linked to entrepreneur Philip Vaughn, she emphasized that she knew she would be okay on her own after the divorce, calling that independence the most important aspect.

Melinda and Bill Gates first met in 1987 and married in 1994 after seven years of dating. Their divorce was announced in May 2021 and finalized in August.

Reflecting on her life post-divorce, Melinda mentioned feeling “unencumbered” for the first time, now having the freedom to manage her own finances and companies. She expressed that a woman should have her “full voice” and decision-making authority, adding that she now enjoys making decisions without seeking permission from anyone.

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As she embraces life beyond 60, Melinda has become less concerned about others' opinions, describing herself as a “recovering perfectionist.” She focuses on staying active, enjoying activities like skiing, kayaking, walking with friends, and attending spiritual group meetings, all while seeking moments of “discovery” in her daily life.

Source: Hindustan Times