Bill Gates has been pictured out in public for the first time since announcing his divorce from Melinda, with his wedding ring still in pride of place on his left hand ring finger.
The Microsoft founder, 65, was spotted in Manhattan on Saturday, after flying into Newark Airport in New Jersey the day before with several travel companions in tow, including a woman believed to be his youngest daughter Phoebe, 18, and her boyfriend Chaz Flynn.
Gates was beaming ear to ear sporting an unshaven beard and no face covering, after New York lifted its mask mandate, his divorce proceedings seeming far from his mind. But he still sported his wedding ring prominently on his left hand.
Bill and Melinda, 56, shocked the world earlier this month when they announced they were divorcing after 27 years together.
The couple have three adult children: Jennifer, 25, Rory, 21, and Phoebe, who appeared to be the young woman spotted with him disembarking the plane in Newark on Friday.
The group then boarded a helicopter presumably bound for Manhattan, where he was spotted heading to lunch with his pals the following day.
Since news of the split broke, Gates has been rocked by claims of inappropriate behavior during his time at Microsoft as well as questions surrounding his friendship with late pedophile Jeffrey Epstein.
Prior to his arrival into Newark, he was thought to be holing up at an exclusive golf club in California where he owns a mansion.
Bill Gates sported black dress socks with sneakers and shorts as he stepped out in Manhattan on Saturday, heading to luncheon with a friend and bodyguards. It is the first time he has been seen since news of his divorce
Bill Gates, 65, (center) was spotted in Manhattan on Saturday, after flying into Newark Airport in New Jersey the day before. He was walking in lower Manhattan with an unidentified friend and bodyguard
Unshaven Gates still sported his wedding ring on his left hand, weeks after announcing his split from wife Melinda
Gates appeared carefree as the strolled through Manhattan with his entourage, weeks after his divorce was announced
He was seen disembarking his private jet, sporting a grey long-sleeved polo, dark trousers and his signature dark-rimmed glasses on Friday at Newark Airport
The 65 year-old Microsoft CEO touched down at Newark Airport on his private jet with his youngest daughter Phoebe, 18, and her boyfriend Chaz Flynn
Bill and his travelers are seen walking along the tarmac Friday after landing into Newark. They then headed for a helicopter
Bill Gates wedding ring was clearly visible on his left hand ring finger as he landed into Newark Airport Friday
Two weeks on from the divorce announcement, Gates first came out of hiding as he landed into Newark Airport Friday.
He was seen disembarking his private jet, sporting a grey long-sleeved polo, dark trousers and his signature dark-rimmed glasses.
Gates headed down the steps maskless before putting on a matching grey check face mask as he reached the tarmac.
The father-of-three had something of an entourage with him including a teen thought to be Phoebe, who looked ready for the late spring sunshine in a dazzling red crop top and skirt co-ord.
The formerly blonde 18-year-old had her dark hair tied back and donned a white face mask and sneakers.
She was followed closely behind by a young male in a white hoody, thought to be her boyfriend Chaz.
The young couple are thought to have started dating in mid-2019 and Phoebe often shares images of them together on her Instagram.
The trio were also joined by a brunette woman dressed in dark office wear and carrying a large briefcase and a white-haired man in glasses, a check shirt and a bodywarmer.
The group then headed across the tarmac toward a helicopter.
Melinda and Bill seen after receiving the Commander of the Legion of Honor in Paris in 2017. The couple announced they were getting divorced earlier this month
The Microsoft founder, 65, and his travel companions masked up as they walked across the tarmac to their waiting helicopter
This marked the first time he has been pictured out in public since the shock split with Melinda after 27 years together.
The group walk across the tarmac to board a helicopter, presumably headed for the Big Apple as he was then seen strolling round Manhattan enjoying the sunshine Saturday
Gates headed down the steps maskless before putting on a matching grey check face mask as he reached the tarmac
The father-of-three had something of an entourage with him including a teen thought to be his youngest daughter Phoebe
Phoebe who looked every inch ready for the late spring sunshine in a dazzling red crop top and skirt co-ord outfit
The formerly blonde 18-year-old had her dark hair tied back and donned a white face mask and sneakers. She was followed closely behind by a young male in a white hoody, thought to be her boyfriend Chaz
On Saturday, Gates sported black dress socks with sneakers and shorts, paired with a casual grey polo shirt as he walked to lunch with his companions
Gates and his companions make their way to lunch on Saturday in Manhattan after he broke cover
Gates hasn’t been seen in public since he and Melinda announced their split back on May 3, other than to appear at a virtual event with the US Chamber of Commerce Wednesday
Then on Saturday, Gates sported black dress socks with sneakers and shorts, paired with a casual grey polo shirt as he walked to lunch with his companions.
Gates hasn’t been seen in public since he and Melinda announced their split back on May 3, other than to appear at a virtual event with the US Chamber of Commerce Wednesday.
The 65-year-old was also seen sporting his wedding band during that appearance.
It was not clear where he was during the Zoom call but he is understood to have been staying at the exclusive golf complex The Vintage Club in Indian Wells, California, for the last three months.
The Vintage Club costs $250,000 to join. It boasts a spa, restaurants and two 18-hole golf courses, dubbing itself ‘one of the United States’ most prestigious’ golf clubs.
Other members include Charles Koch and Dennis Washington.
Gates bought a home there in 1990 for $12.5 million. That is said to have six bedrooms and nine bathrooms.
Melinda and Bill have given no details about their split, but Melinda wrote that the marriage is ‘irretrievably broken’ in divorce filings.
She is said to have began consulting divorce lawyers as far back as October 2019.
Gates and his companions head to lunch on Saturday in Manhattan. The reason for his visit to NYC was unclear
Gates strode confidently through the crosswalk in downtown Manhattan as he headed to lunch unshaven on Saturday
Melinda and Bill have given no details about their split, but Melinda wrote that the marriage is ‘irretrievably broken’ in filings
Gates was followed close behind by a white-haired male who sported glasses, a check shirt and a bodywarmer
While the woman thought to be Phoebe was dressed for the sunshine, Gates dressed in head to toe dark colors and long sleeves
Gates is seen for the first time since the announcement of his divorce to Melinda after 27 years and three children together
People are seen passing bags to staff on the tarmac while the passengers disembark the private jet at the New Jersey airport
The trio were also joined by a brunette woman dressed in dark office wear and carrying a large briefcase and a white-haired man in glasses, a check shirt and a bodywarmer
Phoebe and Chaz are thought to have started dating in mid-2019 and Phoebe often shares images of them together on her Instagram
Bill, Melinda and Phoebe pictured together. The couple have three adult children: Jennifer, 25, Rory, 21, and Phoebe
While they have both kept a low profile since the split, the couple’s 25-year-old daughter Jennifer was seen competing in a horse show in New York on Thursday.
The keen equestrian took home the second place prize in her first competition at Old Salem Farm in North Salem, New York, in addition to a the third place prize in her second competition.
Jennifer has also shown public support for both of parents in recent weeks. She posted a photo on Instagram on Mothers’ Day with her mom and siblings writing: ‘Our queen, hero and mom- every day.’
She also shared an Instagram story of herself posing with her billionaire father writing about ‘quality time with family members.’
Since announcing their divorce, Gates has transferred more than $3billion in stock to Melinda.
In a move divorce experts say is highly unusual, Melinda has added top trust and estate lawyers to her legal team as the couple divide their combined $130billion in assets after 27 years of marriage.
Over the years Gates has repeatedly said that he would leave the children a mere $10million apiece – accounting for less than .008 percent of their parents’ total wealth.
Gates has been rocked by a series of allegations ever since he and Melinda, 56, announced their divorce earlier this month.
It emerged this week that he had an affair with a female Microsoft worker back in 2000 while he was married to Melinda.
The Microsoft Founder spoke at a virtual event with the US Chamber of Commerce on Wednesday where his wedding ring was clearly visible
He was understood to have been based at The Vintage Club (above) in Indian Wells, California, for the last three months
The Wall Street Journal revealed he had an ‘inappropriate’ sexual relationship with a female staff member in 2000.
Gates was CEO of the company at the time. It is not clear what position or level of seniority the employee was.
The affair stayed a secret until 2019 when the employee wrote a letter to the board detailing what had happened and allegedly asking that Melinda read it.
The company opened an investigation into the claims.
While the investigation was still ongoing in March 2020, Gates shocked the business world by announcing he was resigning from his position on the company board.
The same day Gates stood down from the board of Berkshire Hathaway, run by his friend Warren Buffet.
Gates’ spokeswoman confirmed this week he had an affair almost 20 years ago with a staff member and that the relationship ended ‘amicably.’
She denied the affair was connected in any way to his abrupt departure from the board.
His behavior at Microsoft has come under closer scrutiny with claims from two female employees that he asked them out on dates and questions around the handling of accusations of sexual harassment against one of his closest aides.
Jennifer Gates, 25, posted a photograph with her billionaire father on her Instagram story on Thursday night
Jennifer posted this photo on Instagram on Mothers’ Day of her mom and siblings writing: ‘Our queen, hero and mom- every day’
Gates is said to have pursued several women working at Microsoft while he was married to Melinda.
The New York Times reported two separate instances where he asked female employees out on dates.
In one case, he is said to have asked out a Microsoft employee in 2006 after watching her make a presentation.
‘If this makes you uncomfortable, pretend it never happened,’ Gates emailed the employee, according to the Times.
The woman took his advice and pretended it never happened.
A couple of years later, Gates then asked out an employee with the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation.
The pair were in New York for a work trip, when he told her: ‘I want to see you. Will you have dinner with me?’
The woman told the Times the approach made her feel uncomfortable, but she laughed it off.
There was no expectation that the women would suffer professional repercussions for spurning Gates’ advances, the Times reported.
It’s not clear whether Melinda was aware of her husband’s advances on other women.
However, she was aware of and unhappy with the handling of sexual harassment allegations against Michael Larson, one of Gates’ key lieutenants and the manager of his personal fortune, the report said.
The couple are pictured with their three kids Jennifer (center), Rory (right) and Phoebe (left) in 2019. Since news of the split broke, Gates has been rocked by claims of inappropriate behavior during his time at Microsoft
Bill and Melinda Gates on their wedding day in 1994. This week it emerged Bill had an affair with a female Microsoft employee back in 2000
In 2017, a person wrote to Bill and Melinda to complain that Larson was harassing a female staff member at a bicycle shop part-owned by a venture capital firm Rally Capital, owned by the former married couple.
The woman reached a settlement in 2018, signing a non-disclosure agreement and receiving a payout.
Gates’ spokeswoman Bridgitt Arnold denied Gates ever mistreated employees in a statement to the Times.
However, Melinda was reportedly unhappy with the outcome and ordered an independent investigation.
According to the New York Times, Larson was placed on leave during the investigation but was reinstated and still looks after Gates’ vast fortune.
‘It is extremely disappointing that there have been so many untruths published about the cause, the circumstances and the timeline of Bill Gates’s divorce,’ Arnold said.
‘Your characterization of his meetings with Epstein and others about philanthropy is inaccurate, including who participated.
‘The claim of mistreatment of employees is also false. The rumors and speculation surrounding Gates’s divorce are becoming increasingly absurd, and it’s unfortunate that people who have little to no knowledge of the situation are being characterized as ‘sources.’
Melinda and Bill announced their shock divorce earlier this month, with Melinda saying the marriage is ‘irretrievably broken’ in divorce filings.
Melinda reportedly began consulting divorce lawyers as far back as October 2019.
She did so around the same time as Bill’s friendship with billionaire pedophile Epstein hit the headlines.
The two men’s friendship began in 2011, three years after Epstein had pleaded guilty to soliciting prostitution from a minor.
Gates continued to spend time with Epstein despite Melinda reportedly expressing concerns.
Questions continue to swirl around Gates’ relationship with late pedophile Jeffrey Epstein (above) – which was said to be a source of contention to wife Melinda
There is no suggestion that Gates did anything wrong.
While allegations of inappropriate behavior continue to swirl round Gates, new details have also emerged about the culture inside the tech behemoth he set up in 1975.
DailyMail.com revealed this week new details of a Microsoft discrimination lawsuit filed in 2015, where women claimed they were ‘ignored, abused, or degraded’ and male bosses ran a ‘good ol’ boy culture’ at the company.
The suit claimed that Microsoft ‘accepts and tolerates abuse and toxic behavior, especially towards females.’
Employees code-named a project ‘Wrecking Ball’ in honor of Miley Cyrus’ raunchy music video and wrote an email called ‘Working Backwards’ filled with stereotypes about women,’ the case claimed.
Employees were called ‘p****’ and c***’ and former chief executive Steve Ballmer was referred to as ‘our limp d*** CEO,’ the suit claimed.
One woman complained about being asked by a male co-worker why she was ‘dressed like a wh**e’ while another man bombarded a woman with messages offering to ‘spank’ her.
Among the litany of incidents was a man who groped four women in a single night at a work function yet an internal investigation found he didn’t breach anti-harassment rules, writing it off as ‘poor interpersonal awareness’.
The lawsuit claimed: ‘The flagrant and repeated incidents of sexual misconduct toward women at Microsoft reflects the corporate culture in which women are undervalued and underpaid’.