Melinda Gates has recounted the emotional moment she told ex-husband Bill Gates she wanted to live separately after struggling with his links to pedophile Jeffrey Epstein.
The philanthropist, 60, describes the heartbreaking exchange in her forthcoming book 'The Next Day: Transitions, Change and Moving Forward', which was obtained by Page Six.
The mom-of-three recalled how she and Bill took a trip to New Mexico together in February 2020 which she had initially planned to take alone.
On the final night, she sat the billionaire Microsoft founder down and told him she wanted to start living apart.
'It was one of the scariest conversations I'd have had,' Melinda wrote.
Her agonizing decision came in the wake of controversy over her ex-husband's friendship with sex trafficker Epstein, who was found dead in his jail cell while awaiting trial in 2019.
Melinda has previously said the friendship was a factor in her pushing for divorce. Bill has said he deeply regrets spending time with Epstein but has never been accused of any wrongdoing in relation to the predator.
In the book she revealed that Bill was, 'sad and upset' but also 'understanding and respectful.'
Melinda Gates has recounted the emotional moment she told ex-husband Bill Gates she wanted to live separately
Melinda, 60, has been open about her disapproval of her ex-husband's friendship with sex trafficker Jeffrey Epstein
Melinda writes about the painful conversation they had which kickstarted their separation in her forthcoming book
As the youngest of their children, Phoebe, was still in high school, the couple decided to continue living together until her graduation.
The couple continued putting on a united front for their charitable organization, the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation.
However, Melinda revealed that she began suffering 'panic attacks'.
'Bill has a reputation for being one of the toughest negotiators in the world,' she said of their impending divorce.
However, after a long and at times 'tender' chat, they decided to end their 27 year marriage, going public with a joint statement in 2021.
Melinda described the process as 'grueling', but today the former couple remain cordial and committed co-parents to Jennifer, 28, Rory, 25, and Phoebe 22 and grandparents to their two grandchildren.
She has been open about some of the reasons for their divorce, including her ex-husband's ties to Epstein who was
'I did not like that he had meetings with Jeffrey Epstein,' she told CBS' Gayle King.
The Gates' went public with their divorce in May 2021 after a year of living apart
Melinda recalled how they decided to stay living together until their youngest daughter Phoebe graduated high school.
'I made that clear to him. I also met Jeffrey Epstein exactly one time. I wanted to see who this man was and I regretted it from the second I stepped in the door.
'He was abhorrent, evil personified. I had nightmares about it afterwards. That's why my heart breaks for these young women. That's how I felt, and I am an older woman. He was awful.'
Bill has said in the past that meeting with Epstein multiple times was a 'huge' mistake and error in judgement.
In a statement to CBS, he said: 'Meeting with Epstein was a mistake that I regret deeply. It was a substantial error in judgement.'
Melinda also alluded to alleged infidelities by Bill and suggested they may have contributed to the divorce.
The billionaire admitted to an affair with a Microsoft employee in 2000 and while the couple worked through it, Melinda said it left her struggling to trust him.
Since their split, both Bill and Melinda have found new love.
Melinda is reportedly dating entrepreneur Philip Vaughn, founder of craft beer delivery service Tavour.
Bill went public with his relationship with Paula Hurd, CEO of software company Oracle, with an appearance on the red carpet last year.
Melinda's book 'The Next Day: Transitions, Change and Moving Forward' is out April 15.