USA - They were married for around 27 years before their relationship broke down. Now Melinda Gates (60) has revealed the reasons for the breakdown of her marriage to Bill Gates (69).

As People reports, the well-known businesswoman spoke about the end of her marriage during the "Late Show With Stephen Colbert" on CBS.

"For a trusting relationship, which is what I wanted for marriage, both partners have to be honest with each other," the 60-year-old said. "And if that's not possible, there can be no intimacy and no trust. In the end, I had to leave."

At the same time, the author promoted her new memoir called "The Next Day: Transitions, Change, and Moving Forward", in which further details are to be revealed.

Gates had already emphasized in previous interviews that the divorce had been a painful experience. "I've learned a lot and grown from it," she told presenter Stephen Colbert (60).

Gates did not elaborate on whether there was a specific reason for the separation or whether she was even cheated on by her husband. However, she confirmed that she currently has a "pretty great" relationship and is "very, very happy".

The philanthropist and the Microsoft founder divorced in 2021 after around 27 years of marriage.

"After careful consideration and a lot of work on our relationship, we have decided to end our marriage," the two wrote at the time.