Microsoft Corporation Co-founder, Bill Gates, has described his separation from his ex-wife, Melinda French Gates as ‘a very sad milestone’ and a source of ‘personal sadness.’

The American investors who spoke in an interview with CNN’s Anderson Cooper on Wednesday, also admitted that his relationship with billionaire Jeffrey Epstein was a “mistake.”

Jeffrey Edward Epstein who was an American financier and convicted sex offender committed suicide on August 10, 2019 at the Metropolitan Correctional Centre, New York, United States.

The Microsoft founder and Melinda split after 27 years of marriage.

Gates told the anchor that he and his ex-wife will continue their philanthropy work together, citing her “incredible strengths” in furthering the missions of the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation.

Melinda has said she will try to work with Bill on the foundation for at least two more years.

Gates said he does have some regrets about reports of a toxic culture at Microsoft, including allegations that he made unwanted advances on women at work, which he denies.

“At this time, I need to go forward, my work is very important to me. Within the family, we’ll heal as best we can and learn from what’s happened,” Gates said.

Gates, who has donated at least $1.75 billion to fight COVID-19, said he is pleased with the effectiveness and production of vaccinations but is alarmed by the highly transmissible Delta variant.

“We wanted to be nearer to the end than we are, but Delta is very bad news,” he added.