If the new rumours are to be believed, the philanthropist has moved on from her former husband and one of the richest men in the world - Bill Gates.
According to a report by the online tabloid TMZ, the 58-year-old has been dating a former TV reporter Jon Du Pre. A source told the website that the couple has been in a relationship for the past few months, but it is not known how the two met.
The duo have been spotted together a few times, including the basketball game between the Nets and Celtics earlier in April.
TMZ also reported that French planned an outing with his beau and some family members at a five-star resort in Pelican Hill at Newport Beach.
Turns out, French has another private Instagram account besides her verified handle. This account is being followed by Du Pre and Bill-Melinda's 20-year-old daughter, Phoebe Gates, too.
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Melinda's private Insta account Jon Du Pre follows and is followed by French and Phoebe. Phoebe also follows the TV reporter's Instagram account. Screenshot of Phoebe's Insta Profile Du Pre, who is in his 60s, describes himself as a Strategic Communications specialist in his LinkedIn profile. According to the professional networking platform, he has 35 years of experience in video production, broadcasting, writing, and public speaking, among other things. In the late '90s and early 2000s, the Utah-based professional also worked as a TV correspondent for Fox News Channel.
French and Du Pre haven't made the news official yet.
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In May 2021, French and Gates announced that the couple were ending their 27-year-long marriage. The couple shared joint statements on their respective social media accounts. In three months, the divorce was finalised in August.
As part of the court document, neither party asked for a formal name change. Melinda has been publicly using her family name with her former husband's name since they separated.
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Last December, the Microsoft founder revealed that 2021 was a 'year of great personal sadness' in his year-ender note. Calling it the 'most unusual and difficult year' of his life, the billionaire said that the split and loneliness of the pandemic affected him. Adapting to change is never easy, no matter what it is. I’ve been impressed by how resilient my loved ones — especially my kids — have been in this challenging time,” the 67-year-old wrote on the GatesNotes blog.
Gates also said that transitioning into an 'empty-nester' dad also took a toll on him after his three children - all above 18 years of age - moved out of his house.
