Melinda Gates Began Divorce Moves at Time Bill’s Meetings with Jeffrey Epstein Revealed

THE GUARDIAN: Wife of world’s fourth-richest man explored options almost two years ago, roughly at time sex criminal Epstein died in jail

Melinda French Gates had concerns about her husband’s dealings with the convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein when she consulted lawyers to explore the option of divorcing the Microsoft billionaire Bill Gates, according to reports.

The billionaire philanthropists announced their decision to divorce last week after declaring their marriage “irretrievably broken” – but did not explain why.

The Wall Street Journal reported that in 2019 Melinda, 56, hired a team of lawyers from several high profile law firms to discuss a possible divorce. The Journal said several of its sources had said Melinda was concerned about her husband’s business dealings with Epstein, who killed himself in jail in 2019 while awaiting trial on federal charges related to sex trafficking.

Melinda is said to have expressed unease at Bill’s relationship with Epstein since at least 2013. Her meeting with divorce lawyers in October 2019 is said to have taken place at roughly the same time as a New York Times article detailed Bill’s meetings with Epstein, which included an overnight stay at Epstein’s New York mansion. » | Martin Pengelly in New York and Rupert Neate | Monday, May 10, 2021

Bill and Melinda Gates Announce Divorce after 27 Years

THE GUARDIAN: Pair say in statement ‘we no longer believe we can grow together as a couple’ but will continue to run foundation together

Bill and Melinda Gates have announced they are to divorce after 27 years of marriage, saying they “no longer believe we can grow together as a couple”.

The Microsoft co-founder turned philanthropist and his wife have built up a combined $124bn (£89bn) fortune, making them among the five richest couples in the world.

“After a great deal of thought and a lot of work on our relationship, we have made the decision to end our marriage,” the pair said in a joint statement posted on Twitter on Monday. » | Rupert Neate, Wealth correspondent | Tuesday, May 4, 2021

Melinda Gates could become world’s second-richest woman »