By Charlie Lankston For Dailymail.com
Published: 09:55 EDT, 8 July 2022 | Updated: 11:44 EDT, 8 July 2022
Billionaire Microsoft founder Bill Gates' ex-wife Melinda took inspiration from the world's best tennis pros on Friday as she attended Wimbledon - donning an all-white ensemble that perfect complemented the outfits worn by the players on-court.
The 57-year-old put on a very elegant display for her sport-centric outing, donning a figure-flattering long-sleeved white dress, which she paired with $1,300 black-and-white open-toe Chanel heels.
She was also seen sporting a large pink Chanel shopping bag - which retails for around $6,600 - as well as a pretty pink butterfly necklace as she took her seat in the royal box alongside Joe Cerrell, a London-based executive at the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation.
Her appearance at the famed tennis tournament comes just one day after it was revealed that her youngest child Phoebe had been subjected to racist trolling online over an image that she posted of herself being kissed on the cheek by a black man, who is rumored to be her new boyfriend.
But if Melinda was at all perturbed by the online abuse being thrown at her daughter, she certainly didn't show it as she posed up for the cameras upon her arrival at Wimbledon, where she was snapped beaming ear-to-ear, while showing off her elegant outfit.
Billionaire Microsoft founder Bill Gates' ex-wife Melinda, 57, put on an elegant display as she attended Wimbledon on Friday - just one day after it was revealed her youngest daughter Phoebe was being trolled by racists over an Instagram Stories photo
The 57-year-old mother-of-three appeared to take fashion inspiration from the players, donning an all-white ensemble, which she accessorized with a large pink Chanel shopping bag that retails for around $6,600
Melinda appeared gripped by the action unfolding on Center Court, which played host to the women's doubles semifinals and the men's singles semifinals on Friday
After taking her seat in the royal box, the philanthropist - who announced her divorce from Bill, 66, in May 2021 - appeared captivated by the action unfolding on Center Court, which today played host to the semifinals of the women's doubles tournament, as well as the men's singles semifinals.
Melinda - who is understood to been awarded close to half of her ex-husband's estimated $130 billion fortune in their divorce settlement when it was finalized in August of last year - was attending the famed tennis tournament for the very first time on Friday, when she took part in a press conference to announce a new partnership between the Women's Tennis Association and her and Bill's foundation.
The collaboration will see the two organizations working together to raise awareness about women's health and nutrition around the world, while also promoting gender equality and female leadership.
'I just know place after place is better when we are moving toward gender equality,' Melinda said of the partnership.
'There’s nowhere in the world where we yet have it. But what I know is that so many young girls look up to female role models. And so who do they look for? They look for women in business, they look for women in entertainment, they look for women in sport.'
Her comments about the importance of women's empowerment come just one day after it was revealed that her youngest daughter Phoebe had been subjected to a torrent of racist abuse on social media over an image that she shared of an unnamed black man kissing her on the cheek.
Bill and Melinda have both yet to publicly comment on the scandal surrounding their youngest child, who sparked a firestorm of controversy when she shared an image of herself and her rumored new beau on Instagram Stories this week.
Bill Gates' daughter Phoebe, 19, is being trolled with racist abuse after sharing an image of herself being kissed on the cheek by an unnamed black man
While Phoebe has not yet identified the man in the photo, dozens of people have made crude racist jokes about the alleged relationship on Instagram and Twitter
In the snap, Phoebe - who is due to start her sophomore year at Stanford University in the fall - is seen leaning in towards the unnamed man, while he is pictured kissing her sweetly on the cheek.
Within minutes of the image being shared, social media was being flooded with crude comments about the alleged relationship, with dozens of people making jokes about the rumored romance and suggesting that Phoebe's suitor is simply using her to gain access to her father's $130 billion fortune.
The unidentified beau appears to have a pair of binoculars in his hands as he plants a peck on Phoebe's cheek - while what appears to be a tent can be seen in the background.
Phoebe's brunette locks hang loose around her shoulders and she looks to be wrapped up in a brown blanket as she shared a tender moment with her so-called boyfriend - who is wearing a T-shirt from rapper Drake's fashion line, October's Very Own (OVO).
Despite the innocent nature of the photo, Twitter was quick to react to the notion that Phoebe might be dating a black man, with many choosing to make crude jokes suggesting that her rumored beau is simply using her for her father's money.
One wrote: 'Her net worth projected $130 Billion. I don't think he is her equal or they are doing 50/50. Just my guess tho.'
Another chimed in: 'Phoebe Gates has a black boyfriend, young brotha do not pull out … BE GREAT.'
Friday marked Melinda's first Wimbledon experience - and also saw her announcing a new partnership between the Women's Tennis Association and the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation
She was joined at the sporting event by Joe Cerrell (left), who is the foundation's managing director for Europe, the Middle East, and East Asia
The mother-of-three was seated in the royal box, offering her a prime view of the matches taking place on Center Court
Before heading in to take her seat, Melinda happily showed off her ensemble for the cameras
'When Phoebe Gates' boyfriend get added to the joint checking acct,' one person added, while sharing a video of a black man doing a celebratory dance.
Someone else tweeted a video of a black man waving a gun around while swerving his car across a road, writing: 'Phoebe Gates and her boyfriend pulling up to Bill Gates' house for Thanksgiving.'
After the image was reposted on Instagram, dozens of other people chimed in with racist commentary, with one person writing: 'This was the dream MLK spoke about.'
'Bill about to smash a vase against the wall,' someone else commented.
'Bro become a millionaire in a matter of seconds,' another person wrote, as one Instagram user added: 'Now we know why Bill Gates been tellin his kids they ain’t gon inherit s**t,' referring to Bill's previous revelation that he will not leave the majority of his wealth to his children.
The billionaire - who is one of the richest men in the world with an estimated net worth of $123.7 billion - announced at a TED conference in Canada in 2014 that he will instead leave most of his fortune to his family's foundation.
However that hasn't stopped social media users from making sordid suggestions about Phoebe's rumored new romance - with several urging the unnamed suitor to 'get her pregnant', while others joked that he has 'secured the bag'.
'He getting his reparations LMAO,' another wrote.
Melinda and her ex-husband Bill, 66, announced their divorce in May 2021. The couple share three children: Phoebe, 19, Jennifer, 26, and Rory, 23
Stanford University student Phoebe's online controversy comes just weeks after she made a stunning red carpet appearance alongside her dad at the Time 100 Gala in June
In May, LeBron James' son Bronny, 17, faced similar vile racist abuse after he took a white girl to his high school prom. He shared images of them arriving at the event in a $326,000 custom Mercedes GT sports car.
He attended the school dance with one of his classmates, teenager Peyton Gelfuso. However, some people on the internet were not happy with his decision to take someone who is 'light skinned' to prom, and social media was soon flooded with a slew of nasty comments about the pairing.
'Not a light skinned woman already,' wrote one person, while another added, 'Welp, on the bright side, LeBron has more kids. Maybe they will do better.'
'That girl is whiter than white bruh,' said someone else.
A fourth tweet read, 'Should've got a black queen like his dad,' with an angry face emoji.
'Lost another black king to a money hungry white girl,' a different Twitter user tweeted. 'Bron gotta do better SMH.'
Someone else branded her a 'gold digger,' quoting the lyrics from the song Gold Digger by Kanye West, while others simply shared GIFs and memes showcasing their disappointment in his choice of date.
Other people defended the budding basketball star, with one writing, 'Bronny James really has grown adults in shambles over the fact he took a white girl to prom in 2022.'
'Anyone that's mad at Bronny's prom date, you are part of the problem in today's society,' agreed someone else.
The controversy facing Gates' youngest child comes just weeks after Phoebe spoke out to condemn the Supreme Court's reversal of Roe v. Wade in a series of Instagram posts, which she began sharing just days before the overturning of the law was announced.
At the time, Phoebe shared a series of photos of herself in a white bikini, while proudly declaring: 'I’m not shy about my body and/or telling you to keep your bans off of it.'
'Every person deserves access to sexual and reproductive health care,' she continued. 'Right now, the Supreme Court is prepared to end the constitutional right to abortion. Join me and the fashion community to send a clear message.'
Phoebe tagged Planned Parenthood and added the hashtag #BansOffOurBodies.
LeBron James' 17-year-old son Bronny was also trolled with racist abuse for taking a white girl to his high school prom in May
He shared images of them arriving at the event in a $326,000 custom Mercedes GT sports car
In the photo, she is wearing a string halter bikini while leaning against a wall with her hands behind her back. Her dark hair is loose around her shoulders, and she is looking at the camera with a piercing gaze.
The words 'my body, my choice' were written in white and pink on the bottom left side of the snapshot.
Thousands of people liked the post, including her 26-year-old sister, Jennifer Gates. The sisters also have a 23-year-old brother, Rory.
'Yessss P,' Jennifer wrote in the comments.
Olympic freestyle skier and model Eileen Gu responded with two exclamation points, while climate change activist and fellow Stanford University student Sophia Kianni added, 'Bodyodyodyyyyy.'
Phoebe also shared the image on her Instagram Stories, writing, 'What's up — I'm here to say that bodily autonomy is a human right. Did you know that 50% of all women are denied bodily autonomy?'
The next slide, which was featured in her post, was a graphic from BansOff.org showing which 26 states will move to ban abortion if Roe v. Wade is overturned.
'Now that I have your attention...THIS!' she added.
The following graphic offered information on how people combat the potential ban, including donating to abortion funds and supporting a local Planned Parenthood.
Phoebe concluded her Instagram Stories with a second bikini photo, writing, 'Thanks for stopping by, later.'
It is not known exactly how Phoebe met her new mystery man - however it is possible that he attends Stanford University alongside her. The teenager completed her freshman year at the prestigious institution just a few weeks ago and has since been enjoying a fun-filled summer break - even attending a glitzy red carpet event with her billionaire father last month.
The controversy over her Instagram photo comes just weeks after she spoke out to condemn the Supreme Court's reversal of Roe v. Wade in a series of posts featuring herself in a bikini
Phoebe posted several bikini-clad images of herself, while sharing her thoughts on 'bodily autonomy' and urging SCOTUS to 'keep your bans off [my body]
Phoebe put on a dazzling display in a glittering semi-sheer Fendi gown as she posed up for photos alongside proud dad Bill at the Time 100 gala in New York City - one of her first major red carpet appearances with the tech mogul.
The teen and her siblings have continued to show public support for both their mother and their father in the wake of the couple's divorce, which was announced in May 2021 after a 27-year marriage.
Since then, both Phoebe and Jennifer have continued to post about both parents, with the younger sister sharing a touching tribute to Bill on Father's Day, writing: 'Dad, thank you for letting me learn from you every day and look up to your intellect and work. Most importantly, thank you for being my dad. Love you today and always.'
In March, Melinda broke her silence on the divorce, speaking out to slam her ex-husband's controversial relationship with billionaire pedophile Jeffrey Epstein, while also hinting that Bill had more than one affair during their marriage.
Speaking to CBS News, the philanthropist - who is understood to have been awarded half of Bill's $130 billion fortune in their divorce settlement - addressed the affair that he admitted to having with a Microsoft employee in 2000, noting that she 'believes in forgiveness'.
'Those are questions Bill needs to answer,' she said when asked about reports he cheated multiple times, before saying of his infidelity in 2000: 'I believe in forgiveness. I thought we had worked through some of that.
'I gave every single piece of myself to this marriage. I was committed from the day we got engaged to the day I got out of it.'
These are not flattering pictures
The comments below have been moderated in advance.
The views expressed in the contents above are those of our users and do not necessarily reflect the views of MailOnline.
By posting your comment you agree to our house rules.
Do you want to automatically post your MailOnline comments to your Facebook Timeline?
Your comment will be posted to MailOnline as usual.
Do you want to automatically post your MailOnline comments to your Facebook Timeline?
Your comment will be posted to MailOnline as usual
We will automatically post your comment and a link to the news story to your Facebook timeline at the same time it is posted on MailOnline. To do this we will link your MailOnline account with your Facebook account. We’ll ask you to confirm this for your first post to Facebook.
You can choose on each post whether you would like it to be posted to Facebook. Your details from Facebook will be used to provide you with tailored content, marketing and ads in line with our Privacy Policy.
Published by Associated Newspapers Ltd
Part of the Daily Mail, The Mail on Sunday & Metro Media Group