Bill Gates turns $3m pad into $207m megamansion

Billionaire tech guru Bill Gates has spun a humble $3m home into a monstrous $207m mansion where he plans to spend the rest of his days.

Why Gates won’t move out of ‘gigantic’ $207m home. Picture: Getty; Supplied

Bill Gates has no plans to move out of his “gigantic” $US130 million ($A207 million) custom-built Seattle megamansion after his divorce from wife Melinda.

In an interview with The Times, the Microsoft founder said he “can’t” imagine himself living anywhere else, particularly anywhere smaller.

Bill and Melinda married in 1994 and share kids Jennifer, 28, Rory, 25, and Phoebe, 22.

The couple confirmed their split in May 2021, though they’d been separated for a year before the announcement, Page Six reports.

For much of their marriage, the former couple lived inside Gates’ 66,000-square-foot compound in Medina, Washington State, which is referred to as “Xanadu 2.0” in a reference to a fictional estate that features in the movie “Citizen Kane.”

“My house in Seattle, I admit, is gigantic,” the billionaire told the outlet.

“My sisters have downsized. I can’t. I like the houses I have. My kids like to come back — that is a luxury.

“I don’t cook, I don’t make my own bed, but I don’t mind if no one has made it — I wouldn’t notice.”

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Microsoft co-founder Bill Gates has admitted that he will never “downsize” from his “gigantic” $130 million Seattle mansion. Picture: John Lamparski/Getty Images

Bill and Melinda Gates, with their three children. Picture: Facebook

According to Realtor, Gates purchased the expansive property in 1988 for just $US2 million and then poured an estimated $US63 million into renovating it, turning the home into an ultra-modern oasis fit for a tech titan.

The home is now believed to be worth an eye-watering $US130 million ($A207 million), Fortune reports.

The property features seven bedrooms, six kitchens, 24 bathrooms, and six fireplaces. It also boasts a private library and a swimming pool that has its own underwater music system.

The 69-year-old’s opulent abode also comes complete with a theatre room, sauna, party space, steam room, separate men’s and women’s lockers, a trampoline room with a 20-foot ceiling, offices, and outdoor sports courts.

The reception hall is partially below ground and can seat 150 people for an elegant dinner or hold 200 people for a cocktail party.

The property has its very own advanced security system that can detect who is in the residence by the weight of their footsteps thanks to the pressure-sensitive floors.

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The Microsoft founder purchased his Seattle home in 1988 for just $US2 million and then poured $US63 million into renovating it. Picture: Barry Wong via Seattle Times

The home is now estimated to be worth an eye-watering $US130 million. Picture: Supplied

It is a far cry from the humble middle-class family that Gates was brought up in — and he admits that there was a time when even he could not have foreseen the lavish lifestyle that now seems so normal to him.

“I have three houses. I used to fly coach and make people share hotel rooms and think having a private plane was a waste,” he said.

Although Gates noted that he has “three houses,” he has never revealed which homes he took ownership of in his divorce settlement, other than Xanadu 2.0.

At the time of their split, the former couple owned multiple properties, including a beach house in Del Mar, California, which they purchased for $S43 million in 2020; an equestrian ranch in Rancho Santa Fe, California, which they bought in 2014, paying $US18 million; two horse farms — one in Wellington, Florida, and one in upstate New York; and a $US12.5 million property in Indian Wells, California.

However, the current ownership of the other homes within the Gates’ real estate portfolio has not been revealed.

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At the time of the split, the pair owned numerous homes together, including a ranch in Wellington, Florida (pictured). Picture: Realtor

One of the last properties that Gates and his former spouse bought before their 2021 divorce was a stunning $43 million beach house in Del Mar, California. Picture: Realtor

Following the divorce, Melinda reportedly walked away with $US76 billion ($120 billion) along with stocks and properties.

Although the couple did not have a prenup, they did have a detailed “separation agreement” that laid out the details of their split.

The pair — who are both dating other people now — have maintained a friendly relationship since their divorce.

“Melinda and I still see each other — we have three kids and two grandchildren so there are family events. The kids are doing well. They have good values,” he said.

In 2023, Gates began dating Paula Hurd, the widow of Oracle CEO Mark Hurd. A year later, Melinda went public with her boyfriend, Philip Vaughn.

Parts of this story first appeared in Realtor and Page Six and were republished with permission.

Originally published as Bill Gates turns $3m pad into $207m megamansion