Even the most successful people in the world are not immune to heartbreak. Billionaire and Microsoft co-founder Bill Gates recently shared that his 2021 divorce from Melinda French Gates was the biggest mistake he regrets. After 27 years of marriage, the couple shocked the world when they announced their split, marking the end of their long partnership in both life and philanthropy.

In a recent interview with The Times of London, Gates, 69, reflected on the difficulty of the divorce, admitting it was a “miserable” experience for both him and Melinda. “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,” he shared.

The end of their marriage meant losing not just a life partner but also a best friend—his meditation buddy, walking companion, and fellow book club member. Despite these changes, the two remained committed to co-parenting their three children and attending family events together.

Gates and Melinda met long before he became one of the richest and most influential people in the world. She was by his side as he navigated immense success, and together, they built the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, one of the most powerful charitable organizations in the world. Even after the divorce, the pair continued working together at the foundation until Melinda resigned last year to focus on her own philanthropic efforts.

“She saw me through a lot,” Gates admitted, reflecting on their time together.

While the couple has parted ways, Melinda remains dedicated to helping women and families through her work with Pivotal Ventures, an organization she founded in 2015. She also secured $12.5 billion from Gates to support charitable initiatives on behalf of women and families.

Melinda previously shared in an interview that trust issues played a major role in their split. While reports surfaced about Gates’ past infidelity, she said the divorce wasn’t about “one moment” but rather a realization that their marriage was no longer healthy.

Gates’ reflection on his divorce serves as a reminder that relationships, no matter how strong, require trust, commitment, and continual effort. Even after decades together, couples can find themselves growing apart or facing challenges that are difficult to overcome.