Bill and Melinda Gates decided to end their marriage after 27 years.
Melinda Gates and Bill Gates first met at Microsoft. They tied the knot in 1994 and remained as a couple until earlier this month.
Upon announcing their split on social media, scrutiny toward their marriage and divorce has become apparent. Several controversies have emerged, including the Microsoft founder’s affair two decades ago.
A source claimed, though, that Melinda “was aware” of her husband’s issues, according to People.
Melinda Gates “was not entirely in the dark”
Speaking to the publication, the informant stated that Melinda Gates knew about Bill Gates’ “alleged indiscretions at Microsoft,” adding that she was not in the dark. She was reportedly “aware” of the issues. Even so, it remains unclear if she was knowledgeable “about all of it.”
When asked for a comment, however, the former product manager at Microsoft did not return the publication’s request. Likewise, her rep did the same thing.
Bill Gates acknowledged an affair
The claims surfaced following Bill Gates’ rep’s confirmation about his affair on Monday. The acknowledgment came through his spokeswoman, stating that the relationship was with a Microsoft employee.
The extramarital affair took place nearly two decades ago. Moreover, the relationship “ended amicably,” Bridgitt Arnold said in an email, according to the Washington Post.
The same publication, then, continued that this is what led the board to “investigate” the Microsoft founder, as per the company. In the end, though, there are no specific details as to “what role the investigation or the affair” played in Bill and Melinda Gates’ decision to divorce.
Apart from these controversies, there are also other allegations that surfaced involving Bill Gates’ behavior. A recent report from the New York Times alleged that the billionaire “had a reputation for pursuing women who worked for him.”
Sources claimed that the philanthropist “was known for exhibiting ‘questionable conduct in work-related settings,’” adding that this did not happen once. The allegations also noted that he pursued women not only at Microsoft but at the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation, as well.
Following all the reports, a spokesperson for the business magnate dismissed the allegations. In a statement, it is said that “the claim of mistreatment of employees” is false.
The divorce was not a surprise
Other insiders told outlets that the divorce did not come as a surprise, especially to their inner circles. Their relationship had been reportedly “splintering” even before their official split.
— Bill Gates (@BillGates) May 3, 2021
Meanwhile, Bill and Melinda Gates released a similar statement earlier this month, explaining their decision to call it quits. In a tweet published by the Microsoft founder, the couple wrote that they “no longer believe” in their capability to grow together as a couple. They also asked for privacy and space as they “begin to navigate this new life.”
Images courtesy of (1)Chatham House/Flickr & (2)Masaru Kamikura