Melinda French Gates' New Man Is No Billionaire — But He Makes Her 'Very, Very Happy'

Melinda French Gates touched down in New York City via helicopter holding hands with a handsome younger man who doesn't even crack the billionaire list. The sighting has tongues wagging and social media whispering: Who is this mystery guy? How much is he worth? And what does her famous ex Bill Gates think? Because when your former husband helped invent the internet as we know it, any man who steps into your life is bound to get compared.

Helicopters, Hand-Holding, and a Date With Destiny?

Melinda, 60, was spotted arriving in Manhattan by helicopter. She was holding hands with 48-year-old entrepreneur Philip Vaughn as they exited the aircraft and stepped into an awaiting black SUV together. Page Six scored the exclusive photos that set the internet ablaze, showing the couple walking closely with relaxed smiles and zero concern about being seen in public.

Melinda wore understated sneakers, a floral scarf, and an overcoat. Vaughn kept it low-key in an Army green T-shirt and navy sweater. It wasn't flashy — but it felt unmistakably couple-y.

And this wasn't just a one-time date.

In April 2025, Melinda confirmed in an interview with PEOPLE that she's dating again and "very, very happy" — although she chose not to name her partner. Vaughn wasn't mentioned, but given the timing, it's safe to say he's the guy.

Who Is Philip Vaughn?

Philip Vaughn may not be a household name, but his resume is no joke.

According to his LinkedIn profile, Vaughn spent nearly nine years working at Microsoft^® — yes, the company Melinda's ex-husband co-founded. He worked there from 1999 to 2008, rising to the role of group program manager before moving on. After that, he served as a mentor with Techstars, the startup accelerator, before founding his own company.

That company is Tavour — a craft beer delivery service based out of Seattle. Vaughn founded Tavour in 2013 and still serves as its executive chairman. While not a billionaire, he's clearly built something from the ground up and kept it running for over a decade.

His estimated net worth isn't public, but let's be real — he's not flying private jets to Davos. In comparison, Melinda's personal fortune is estimated to be at least $11.3 billion following her split from Bill Gates in 2021. That financial gap has some people talking — but it hasn’t slowed Melinda down.

What's the Age Gap?

Melinda French Gates and her new partner Philip Vaughn share a 12-year age gap — a detail that has sparked curiosity but seemingly little concern for the couple themselves. Despite the difference, the couple appears comfortable and connected in public outings.

A Fresh Start After a Public Split

Melinda's relationship with Vaughn comes nearly four years after her very public divorce from Bill Gates. The couple had been married since 1994 and share three adult children: Jennifer, 28, Rory, 25, and Phoebe, 22.

In a 2022 interview with CBS, Melinda shared that her ex-husband's affairs and his association with Jeffrey Epstein were factors in the split saying, "I did not like that he had meetings with Jeffrey Epstein, no. I made that clear to him," Melinda said, according to Page Six.

She also described the divorce as emotionally difficult, saying, "It wasn't one moment or one specific thing that happened. There just came a point in time where there was enough there where I realized it just wasn't healthy, and I couldn't trust what we had."

She's been linked to other men since then — including former Fox News correspondent Jon Du Pre — but that relationship reportedly ended in early 2024.

Now, it looks like Melinda is starting a spicy new chapter with Vaughn — and she's doing it on her own terms.

And What About Bill?

While Melinda is cozying up with a craft beer entrepreneur, Bill Gates has been in a long-term relationship with Paula Hurd, the widow of Oracle^® CEO Mark Hurd. The two have been dating for over two years and are regularly spotted together at tennis tournaments and philanthropic events.

No word yet on what Bill thinks of Melinda's new relationship — but given their famously amicable co-parenting stance and shared foundation work, it's likely he'll keep things civil, at least publicly.

Melinda has indicated she's open to the idea of marriage again, saying, "If it's the right person and the right time," as reported by PEOPLE. She added, "The nice thing I will say at the age I am is there's just no rush... The pressure's off."

So, is Philip Vaughn just a chapter, or is this a whole new book?

Either way, Melinda's making it clear — she's happy, she's grounded, and she's doing just fine without another billionaire by her side.

References: Melinda French Gates holds hands with new entrepreneur boyfriend Philip Vaughn as they arrive in NYC via helicopter| Melinda French Gates Reveals She Is Dating Again and ‘Very Happy’ in a New Relationship | What Is the Age Gap Between Melinda French Gates and Her New Boyfriend? Everything You Need to Know