That seems likely:

> Ms. French Gates had been working with lawyers at several firms since at least 2019 to unwind the marriage

Also this:

> Members of the Microsoft board became aware in late 2019 of the letter from the female engineer, who demanded changes to her Microsoft job and also shared details of her relationship with Mr. Gates

The affair happened around 2000, and supposedly ended shortly after, but the timing of their divorce and Gates stepping down from the boards of Microsoft and Berkshire Hathaway on the same day in 2019 seems more than just a coincidence.

Yes, in the big picture. IANAS ("...not a Sociologist"), but there seems to be an unspoken social rule that "the usual" sexual misbehaviors of an alpha male are pretty much ignored, so long as (1) his wife quietly tolerates them, and (2) no other alpha wants them aired. In this case - Mrs. Gates' filing for divorce made him fair game. Hence the recent deluge of stories about Mr. Gates' (seemingly) many and varied transgressions, stretching back decades.

(I could speculate that this social rule is due to too many romantic dreamers not wanting their fantasies spoiled, other alphas and alpha wanna-be's not wanting "the usual" perks of that status lost, etc. But again, IANAS:)

Could be, but the affair was 20 years ago.