Ex-husbands Bill and Melinda Gates showed unity this week as they gathered to celebrate their daughter Jennifer’s graduation from Columbia University.
Jennifer, 27, received her master’s degree in public health this week and her billionaire parents came together to support her — two years after they split. The graduation ceremony is one of the few times they’ve been seen together since their divorce was announced.
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 incredible educational opportunity and the community around me that made it possible,” she wrote. ‘Satisfying.’
Putting Their Differences Aside: Exes Bill and Melinda Gates Reunite to Celebrate Their Daughter Jennifer’s Graduation from Columbia University
Jennifer, 27, received her master’s degree in public health this week and her billionaire parents were by her side to commemorate the achievement
Impressive: The mother of a child also revealed on her stories that she received an award for ‘Excellence in General Public Health’
In the photo, Melinda wore a pink and orange dress with a matching sweater, while the Microsoft founder opted for a navy blue suit.
Jennifer – who gave birth to her first child in April, a girl whose name has not yet been shared – also revealed in her Stories that she received an award for “Excellence in General Public Health.”
While they were 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 reunited to walk daughter Jennifer down the aisle at her wedding to Nayel in October 2021.
The former couple announced their separation in May 2021 after 27 years of marriage.
Five months later, Melinda spoke out about the “incredibly painful” divorce Fortune magazine, explaining that she “just couldn’t stay in that marriage anymore.”
“I had a number of reasons why I just couldn’t stay in that marriage anymore,” she explained. “It’s incredibly painful, in a myriad of ways, but I had the privacy to get through it.”
While they were together, the couple welcomed three children — including Jennifer, and her siblings Rory, 23, and Phoebe, 20.
This isn’t the first time they put aside their differences to be there for their kids. They also reunited to walk daughter Jennifer down the aisle at her wedding to Nayel in October 2021
Expanding their family: Jennifer gave birth to her first child in April, a girl whose name has not yet been shared
The former couple (seen with Jennifer’s baby) announced they were divorcing in May 2021 after 27 years of marriage
They also co-founded the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation in 2000, and after going their separate ways, the exes continued to run the organization together — which Melinda said helped her through the split.
“I kept working with the person I was leaving, and I had to show up every day and be my best self,” she explained.
“So even though I might be crying at 9 a.m. and have to video conference at 10 a.m. with the person I’m leaving, I have to show up and be on my best.”
Melinda previously told Good morning America that her and ex-husband’s “philanthropy” helped them get through their breakup, claiming it “kept them together, allowed more grace” and “softened things up” during some of the most “difficult” aspects of the breakup.
Five months later, Melinda spoke to Fortune magazine about the “incredibly painful” divorce, explaining that she “just couldn’t stay in that marriage anymore.”
She has been rumored to have moved on with ex-Fox News host Jon Du Pre (seen), 68
Bill is reportedly dating philanthropist Paula Kalupa (pictured together in March), 60
“Our philanthropy actually called on us to be our best selves even during the toughest times behind the scenes,” she said in August 2022.
“We were processing the details of the divorce and there was grief, but we still both showed up for the foundation.
“I think that kept us together and allowed for more grace in that period, and since then it’s kind of smoothed out on the back end.”
She added that her “main concern” has always been “to protect her children” and that she is thankful that she and Bill have now “come to the other side.”
She has been rumored to have moved on with ex-Fox News host Jon Du Pre, 68, while Bill is reportedly in a relationship with philanthropist Paula Kalupa, 60.