Ex-spouses Bill and Melinda Gates showed unity this week when they came together to celebrate their daughter Jennifer’s graduation from Columbia University.
Jennifer, 27, got her master’s degree in public health this week, and her billionaire parents have come together to support her – two years after they split. The graduation ceremony is one of the few occasions they have been seen together since their divorce announcement.
The mother-of-one shared a photo of herself posing in her cap and dress alongside Bill, 67, and Melinda, 58, as well as her husband, Nayel Nassar.
“Thank you @ColumbiaPublicHealth for this amazing educational opportunity and the village around me that made this possible,” she captioned. ‘Grateful.’
Putting their differences aside: Exes Bill and Melinda Gates got together to celebrate their daughter Jennifer’s graduation from Columbia University
Jennifer, 27, earned her Masters in Public Health this week, and her billionaire parents were by her side to commemorate the feat
Impressive: The mother-of-one also revealed in her stories that she received an award for ‘excellence in general public health’
In the photo, Melinda donned a pink and orange dress with a matching sweater, while the Microsoft founder opted for a navy suit.
Jennifer – who gave birth to her first child, an as yet unnamed baby girl, in April – also revealed in her Stories that she received an award for “excellence in general public health “.
While together, Bill and Melinda welcomed three children – including Jennifer and her siblings Rory, 23, and Phoebe, 20.
This isn’t the first time Bill and Melinda have put aside their differences to be there for their kids.
They also came together to walk their daughter Jennifer down the aisle at her wedding to Nayel in October 2021.
The former couple announced they were divorcing in May 2021 after 27 years of marriage.
Five months later, Melinda opened up about the “incredibly painful” split for Fortune magazine, while explaining that she “just couldn’t stay in this marriage anymore.”
“I had reasons why I couldn’t stay in this marriage anymore,” she explained. “It’s incredibly painful, in countless ways, but I had the privacy to get through it.”
While together, the couple welcomed three children – including Jennifer and her siblings Rory, 23, and Phoebe, 20.
This isn’t the first time they’ve put their differences aside to be there for their kids. They also came together to walk their daughter Jennifer down the aisle at her wedding to Nayel in October 2021.
Growing their family: Jennifer gave birth to her first child, a baby girl whose name has not yet been shared, in April
The former couple (seen with baby Jennifer) announced they were divorcing in May 2021 after 27 years of marriage
They also founded the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation together in 2000, and after splitting up, the exes continued to run the organization together — which Melinda says helped her through the split.
“I kept working with the person I was drifting away from, and I needed to show up and be my best self every day,” she explained.
“So even if I cry at 9 a.m. and then have to be on a video call at 10 a.m. with the person I’m leaving, I have to show up and do my best.”
Melinda already said hello america that the ‘philanthropy’ of her and her ex-husband helped them through their separation, saying it ‘kept them together, allowed for more grace’ and ‘sweetened’ things during some of the ‘hardest’ parts “of the breakup.
Five months later, Melinda opened up about the “incredibly painful” split with Fortune magazine, while explaining that she “couldn’t stay in this marriage any longer.”
There have been rumors that she has moved on with former Fox News host Jon Du Pre (seen), 68
Bill is believed to be in a relationship with philanthropist Paula Kalupa (pictured together in March), 60
“Our philanthropy has actually called us to be our best, even during the toughest times behind the scenes,” she said in August 2022.
“We were working out the details of the divorce and there was sadness, but we were still both showing up for the foundation.
“I think that kept us together and allowed for more grace during that time, and since then it’s kind of softened things up at the back.”
She added that her “main concern” has always been to “protect her children” and that she is grateful that she and Bill have now “moved to the other side”.
There have been rumors that she has moved on with former Fox News host Jon Du Pre, 68, while Bill is in a relationship with philanthropist Paula Kalupa, 60.
