Melinda French Gates Reveals She Is Dating Again and ‘Very Happy’ in a New Relationship (Exclusive)

Melinda French Gates’ new chapter includes a new romance.

Speaking with PEOPLE for this week’s issue about her new book, The Next Day, and the lessons she's learned from her life's biggest changes, the famed philanthropist reveals that she is dating somebody right now, four years after announcing her split from Microsoft co-founder Bill Gates.

“I am, yes,” Melinda, 60, says with a big smile on her face, adding that she’s “very, very happy.” 

But she’d rather not name her partner. “I’m just going to leave it there,” she says, before repeating, “I’m quite happy.” 

Melinda's comments come about five months after she was photographed holding hands with tech entrepreneur Philip Vaughn, 48, in New York City. 

On LinkedIn, Vaughn is listed as the founder and chairman of craft beer delivery company Tavour. Another item of note on his resume? He describes himself as having worked for Microsoft between 1999 and 2008. (Melinda also worked there but left before the birth of her first child in 1996.)

• For more on Melinda French Gates' life after divorce, what she's learned and what's next for her and her philanthropy, subscribe to PEOPLE or pick up this week's issue, on newsstands Friday.

In the years since her divorce in August 2021, the mom of three has spoken about being open to dating again and the kind of man she's looking for.

In an interview with TIME published last year, months before she was seen with Vaughn, Melinda said she was looking for somebody "who’s open to learning and who’s vibrant, and who’s smart, and somebody who challenges me and that I challenge.”

Following her divorce, she was also linked with former Fox News correspondent Jon Du Pre — although in April 2024, a spokesperson confirmed they were “no longer dating."

Meanwhile, Bill has moved on with girlfriend Paula Hurd, 63, the widow of Oracle CEO Mark Hurd.

These days, the empty nester tells PEOPLE she loves to spend her evenings at home, either with a friend or "someone that I care about deeply," but also loves “being by myself.”

As for the future, Melinda says she could see herself getting married again “if it’s the right person and the right time.” 

“The nice thing I will say at the age I am is there's just no rush,” she says. “The pressure's off.” 

The Next Day is out April 15 and available for preorder now.