Melinda Gates began preparing for a divorce from Microsoft founder Bill Gates almost two years ago, according to the Wall Street Journal, citing knowledgeable sources and documents.

According to them, Mrs. Gates has been discussing the issue of divorce with lawyers since at least 2019, contacting several law firms at once. According to the newspaper, the couple did not specify the reason for the divorce, but sources said that Mrs. Gates, among other things, was concerned about her husband's contacts with the late banker Jeffrey Epstein, who was accused of trafficking minors for the purpose of their sexual exploitation.

Ms Gates repeatedly called consultants in October 2019 after reports of Gates' meetings with Epstein appeared in the media, follows from the documents that the publication received at its disposal. As the newspaper notes, a Gates spokesman said back in 2019 that the Microsoft founder had discussed charity with Epstein, but he regrets these meetings and considers them a mistake.

Representatives for Bill and Melinda Gates declined to comment on the reasons for the divorce, the newspaper said.