BILL Gates continued to go on vacations with his ex-girlfriend Ann Winblad throughout his marriage to Melinda.

The former couple continued their yearly trip together even after their breakup and Gates' marriage.

Where did Bill Gates vacation with his ex-girlfriend Ann Winblad?

He admitted that every year he would spend a long weekend at a cozy beach cottage in North Carolina with Winblad.

In 1997, he discussed the arrangement in an interview with Time magazine.

He explained that he made sure that his travels with Ann were previously agreed to before his marriage to Melinda saying, "We can play putt-putt while discussing biotechnology."

Bill revealed that he and Ann began making their annual trip to her home in the Outer Banks in 1984 when they began dating and have continued to make their yearly trip since.

Ann commented on their trips explaining, "We share our thoughts about the world and ourselves."

"And we marvel about how, as two young overachievers, we began a great adventure on the fringes of a little-known industry and it landed us at the center of an amazing universe."

The pair also traveled to Brazil and Santa Barbra, California during their relationship.

Who is Ann Winblad?

Bill and Ann began dating in 1984 after meeting at a computer conference.

Ann is a software expert and venture capitalist from Seattle, Washington.

The techie pair began their relationship with virtual dates because they lived in different cities at the time.

The two would go see the same movie at the same time and then discuss it over the phone.

Bill and Ann broke up in 1987 when Ann was reportedly more ready to settle down than Bill was.

However, the two stayed so close that Bill asked for Ann's approval before proposing to Melinda.

Bill remembered, "When I was off on my own thinking about marrying Melinda, I called Ann and asked for her approval." 

What have the Gates said about their divorce?

The power couple announced their divorce on Twitter on Monday, May 3.

Bill and Melinda were married for 27 years and share three children, Phoebe, Jennifer, and Rory.

Together the duo has a combined net worth of $130 billion that will draw a lot of attention as to how it will be split especially since the couple did not sign a prenup.

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The Gates released a joint statement on Twitter writing, “After a great deal of thought and a lot of work on our relationship, we have made the decision to end our marriage,”

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Adding “we no longer believe we can grow together as a couple in this next phase of our lives.”

Addressing their joint foundation "that works all over the world to enable all people to lead healthy, productive lives", the couple did concede that they "continue to share a belief in [their] mission and will continue [their] work together at the foundation."

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