Bill Gates wife Melinda ‘consulted divorce lawyers TWO YEARS before she filed to end “irretrievably broken” marriage’

BILL Gates’ divorce from his wife has reportedly been in the works for more than two years, it has been revealed.

The business magnate announced last week he and Melinda would be parting ways after 27 years of marriage.

Getty Images

Melinda reportedly wen tot divorce lawyers two years ago[/caption]

But although a shock announcement to many, Melinda had actually consulted with divorce lawyers for the first time around two years before she filed for divorce from Bill, reports the Wall Street Journal.

Melinda reportedly had been working with firms for months on end to put an end to her marriage to Microsoft co-founder Bill.

The 56-year-old philanthropistthen filed papers in court confirming that the marriage was “irretrievably broken”.

The divorce was “not friendly” and the split has been a “long time coming”, sources have claimed.

Melinda reportedly rented a $132,000-a-night Caribbean private island for her family earlier this year during the “acrimonious” split from Microsoft co-founder Bill.