or
Sign in with lockrMail
BREAKING NEWS
OK LogoCOUPLES

Bill Gates' Relationship With Ex Ann Winblad May Have Helped 'Destroy Trust' During His Marriage To Melinda, Says Source

source reveals reasons why bill melinda gates divorcing rumors ex ann winblad
Source: MEGA

May 12 2021, Published 4:07 p.m. ET

Link to FacebookShare to XShare to FlipboardShare to Email

The billion-dollar split saga continues!

Article continues below advertisement

Rumors have been swirling as to why Bill and Melinda Gates called it quits on their 27-year marriage and the latest buzz involves Bill’s ex Ann Winblad

“He is close to her. Romance or not, when one spouse loves the company of another person outside of the marriage and perpetuates that friendship over many years, it can help destroy trust,” a source said. of Bill's relationship with the businesswoman.

Article continues below advertisement

Winblad is the co-founder of Hummer Winblad Venture Partners, a firm focused solely on software the company website states. According to an 1997 interview with Time, Gates and Winblad started dating in the 80’s after meeting at a computer software conference and before Gates laid his eyes on Melinda.

Article continues below advertisement
Article continues below advertisement

As OK! previously reported, the Microsoft founder and Winblad continued to hang out together during his marriage, per Melinda's approval. 

Article continues below advertisement

"We can play putt-putt while discussing biotechnology," Gates said his outings with his ex.

Article continues below advertisement

“He could have treated Melinda better," the source added. "He’s not a saint, but there isn’t one thing that created the final split. It goes deeper than that."

Article continues below advertisement

The source also spoke on the lack of praise Melinda received for the work she contributed to the joint foundation she and her soon-to-be ex-husband share.

MORE ON:
celeb divorces

Want OK! each day? Sign up here!

Article continues below advertisement
Article continues below advertisement

"He needed a better balance," they said. "He needed to let her speak and take the recognition she deserved on many foundation issues. He didn't realize he made those mistakes when he was making them."

Article continues below advertisement

The source added that before the breakup, the Gates' had issues that were "piling up."

Article continues below advertisement

"It’s many years of differing views of the world, the foundation, and of life in general," they said.  They are older and each personally looked at life and asked, ‘Is there more out there than what I have?’” the source continued. “They’ve grown apart for a variety of reasons. She’s more interested in women’s issues and what and who they helped with the foundation. Bill was — and is — far more interested in the business side of his life.”

Article continues below advertisement
Article continues below advertisement

The Gates' decided to end their 27-year marriage in a joint statement via Twitter. "We no longer believe we can grow together as a couple in this next phase of our lives."

Article continues below advertisement

The philanthropists share three children, Jennifer, 25, Rory, 21 and Phoebe,18. 

PEOPLE was the first to report the source's information regarding Winblad and the Gates' marriage.

More From OK! Magazine

    Opt-out of personalized ads

    © Copyright 2024 OK!™️. A DIVISION OF MYSTIFY ENTERTAINMENT NETWORK INC. OK! is a registered trademark. All rights reserved. Registration on or use of this site constitutes acceptance of our Terms of Service, Privacy Policy and Cookies Policy. People may receive compensation for some links to products and services. Offers may be subject to change without notice.