Bill and Melinda announced their decision to divorce in a joint statement posted on X on May 3, 2021. During the sit-down, she divulged the reasons behind the separation, including Bill's extramarital affairs and his controversial ties to Jeffrey Epstein. She also said of the divorce, "I mean, this is painful stuff. Melinda revealed in a separate interview with Fortune that she had "some reasons" she could no longer remain in the marriage. The divorce thing was miserable for me and Melinda for at least two years."