Melinda French Gates Says She’s 'Friendly' with Ex Bill Gates, Sees Him 'Every Now and Then at Family Events' (Exclusive)

When it comes to her relationship with ex-husband Bill Gates, Melinda French Gates says things remain cordial.

"One of the most important things in my life is being present for the big moments in my children’s —and now my grandchildren’s — lives," Melinda, 60, tells PEOPLE in this week's issue.

The former couple, who were married for 27 years before divorcing in 2021, share three kids — daughters Jennifer, 28, and Phoebe, 22, as well as son Rory, 25 — and two grandkids: Jenn's daughters Leila, 2, and Mia, 5 months.

While Melinda and Bill remain based in Seattle, their children are all now on the East Coast.

"Naturally," Melinda says, that means "Bill and I see each other every now and then at family events, such as graduations."

"When she do," she continues, "it's friendly."

Since their split, both Melinda and her ex-husband have moved on: About two years after the end of his own marriage, news began circulating that Bill was dating Paula Hurd, 63.

Since then, Hurd, the widow of former Oracle CEO Mark Hurd, has consistently been by the Microsoft co-founder's side, joining him for sporting events — like the BNP Paribas Open — as well as star-studded affairs including Jeff Bezos' engagement party and a stop on Bill's recent book tour moderated by Dax Shepard.

While promoting his memoir, Bill also clarified a recent comment he made to The Times of London, in which he called the unraveling of his marriage "the mistake I most regret."

"Despite the fact that the divorce wasn’t great, having those three kids, the work we were able to do together — even if I knew that it [wouldn't] last forever, I would still do it again," he later said, including a reference to the Gates Foundation, which Melinda co-founded with him in 2000 and left last year.

"I’ve moved past the divorce, and Melinda’s doing well," Bill added then. "I’ve got a lot of work that I love to do. So I’m not really complaining about anything."

Asked about those comments during an interview for Elle's annual women of impact feature, Melinda replied, "You've clearly Googled more than I have."

Melinda is dating, too — and she's “very, very happy."

Although she'd rather not name her partner, her comments come months after she was seen holding hands in New York City with tech entrepreneur Philip Vaughn, 48.

• 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 this week's issue, Melinda is opening up about about her life’s most transformative moments, all of which are included in her new book, The Next Day (out April 15).

Among many topics — including becoming a mom, the death of a dear friend and starting a new chapter while spending billions to support women and girls — the book details how she decided to leave one of the world's richest men, which remains painful to discuss.

“It was important for me to be real,” she explains of the chapter that traces the end of their marriage. “Hopefully,” she adds “it’s helpful to someone else."

The Next Day is currently available for preorder.