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In May 2021, Bill and Melinda Gates publicly announced their divorce after 27 years of marriage, citing irreconcilable differences. The separation marked one of the most financially significant divorces ever recorded, primarily due to the absence of a prenuptial agreement and the couple’s staggering net worth, which was estimated at $130 billion, according to Yahoo Finance. The divorce gained global attention not only because of the personalities involved—Bill Gates, co-founder of Microsoft, and Melinda French Gates, philanthropist and co-founder of the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation—but also due to the legal and financial complexities surrounding the equitable distribution of their vast wealth.
Despite the magnitude of their combined assets, the couple requested privacy during the proceedings. As a result, many specific terms remain confidential. However, substantial details regarding the properties, artworks, and investments they owned have emerged through public records and credible reports, painting a picture of one of the most high-stakes divorces in modern history.
Melinda Gates’ divorce settlement started with one thing: No prenup
The divorce was filed in Washington, a community property state. Under Washington law, any assets acquired during the course of a marriage are considered jointly owned and must typically be split equally in the event of a divorce—unless a prenuptial agreement exists. In this case, no prenup was in place. Instead, the couple had signed a separation agreement, the terms of which remain undisclosed but served as the foundation for the division of their assets.
Image credits: Getty Images
Melinda Gates took more than billions, she got the masterpieces
Among the most high-profile assets affected by the split was the couple’s substantial art collection, valued at over $124 million, according to Yahoo Finance. The collection includes several historically and culturally significant pieces:
- Lost on the Grand Banks by Winslow Homer: Acquired for $36 million in 1998, this painting set a record for American art purchases at the time. The work portrays the dangerous lives of fishermen off the Maine coast.
- Room of Flowers by Childe Hassam: Purchased from collector Richard Manoogian, this 1894 impressionist painting is estimated to be worth $20 million.
- The Nursery by William Merritt Chase: Another acquisition from Manoogian, this 1890 painting cost around $10 million and exemplifies American impressionism.
- Polo Crowd by George Bellows: Bought anonymously by Gates at a Sotheby’s auction in 1999 for $27.5 million, the painting is a notable example of Bellows’ work documenting New York’s urban life.
- Codex Leicester by Leonardo da Vinci: Gates paid $30.9 million for this scientific manuscript in 1994. Handwritten by da Vinci between 1504 and 1508, it remains one of the most valuable artifacts in private hands.
Melinda Gates got mansions, ranches, and a slice of Xanadu
The Gates divorce also involved the division of real estate worth hundreds of millions of dollars. The properties span several states and serve various purposes, from primary residences to luxury vacation retreats.
Xanadu 2.0 – Medina, Washington
- Estimated value: Over $131 million
- Size: 66,000 square feet
- Notable features: 60-foot swimming pool, trampoline room, state-of-the-art tech integration
- Designers: James Cutler and Peter Bohlin (architecture), Thierry Despont (interiors)
This high-tech compound on Lake Washington served as the family’s primary residence and is one of the most iconic private homes in the U.S.
Del Mar Beach House – California
- Purchase price: $43 million
- Features: Six-bedroom main house, two guesthouses, tennis court, hot tub, oceanfront views
- Architecture: Designed by Ken Ronchetti, emphasizes modern and coastal aesthetics
Purchased in April 2020, this property contrasts the Gates’ Washington estate with its modern design and beachfront access.
Rancho Santa Fe Equestrian Ranch – California
- Purchase price: $18 million
- Size: 228 acres
- Purpose: Equine facilities, veterinary offices, racetrack, guest accommodations
- Previous owner: Jenny Craig (weight-loss mogul)
This property was purchased in 2014 and may not have been included in the division, depending on how it was categorized under the separation agreement.
Indian Wells Desert Home – California
- Purchase price: $12.5 million
- Size: 13,000 square feet
- Features: Six bedrooms, nine bathrooms, golf course views
A luxury desert getaway offering privacy and relaxation, bought by the couple in 1999.
Wellington Horse Farm – Florida
- Purchase price: $21 million (2019)
- Context: The Gates’ daughter, Jennifer, already owned stables in Wellington. It remains unclear whether this additional parcel was also gifted to her or part of the marital estate.
Horse Farm – Westchester County, New York
- Status: Gifted to Jennifer Gates
- Exclusion: Not considered part of the marital asset division
Corporate and financial assets
Gates’ financial portfolio was arguably the most complex aspect of the divorce.
Microsoft Stock
Although Bill Gates stepped down from Microsoft’s board in 2020, he retained significant shares in the company. The exact allocation of these stocks post-divorce has not been disclosed.
Cascade Investment
Founded by Gates, Cascade Investment manages a large portion of his wealth and holds stakes in companies like Four Seasons Hotels, AutoNation, and Canadian National Railway. The ownership structure post-divorce remains private.
Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation
Despite the divorce, both parties confirmed their continued commitment to co-chairing the Gates Foundation. With over $67 billion in assets, the organization is one of the largest private philanthropic entities in the world. In 2021, a two-year trial period was initiated to evaluate their working relationship. If they found themselves unable to work together after this period, Melinda agreed to step down.
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