Melinda French Gates, who finalized her divorce from Bill Gates in 2021 and stepped down from her co-chair position at the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation in May, is now relishing her new life in a cottage located in Seattle’s North Broadway neighborhood.
In a recent interview with Time magazine, the philanthropist expressed her happiness about living in a walkable neighborhood, a significant departure from her previous residence.
French Gates is delighted with the accessibility of local amenities such as small stores, the drugstore, and restaurants in her new neighborhood. She emphasized her fondness for this newfound convenience, stating that she “absolutely loves it.”
This move marks a considerable downsizing from the couple’s former $183 million estate in the Medina suburb of Seattle. According to a report by Business Insider, Melinda is enjoying her new community and lifestyle following her divorce.
After her divorce from Bill Gates, Melinda French Gates has been actively reshaping her life, including stepping down from her co-chair role at the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation in May. She has openly discussed the challenges of her divorce, describing it as “incredibly painful,” and acknowledged that the privacy afforded by the COVID-19 pandemic helped her navigate this difficult period.
Among the changes Melinda has embraced is a shift towards a simpler, more community-oriented lifestyle. Despite the opulent surroundings of her former residence, she now finds fulfillment in the modest charms of her new neighborhood. Here, she enjoys walking to local shops and engaging with neighbors who are not part of the tech titan world. This lifestyle adjustment is a key part of her post-divorce journey.
Melinda has also publicly voiced her support for President Joe Biden following the U.S. Supreme Court’s decision to overturn Roe v. Wade. She has been an outspoken advocate for women’s rights, particularly reproductive rights, and her stance in the 2024 election has drawn significant media attention.