For many women navigating the end of a marriage in their middle years, the overwhelming emotion isn't sorrow but liberation. A growing body of evidence suggests that women, particularly those in their 40s to 60s, are significantly more likely to feel relieved, liberated, and happy after a divorce than their male counterparts.
The Billionaire Trend and Beyond
High-profile separations have brought this phenomenon into the spotlight. Bill Gates publicly stated that the dissolution of his 27-year marriage was the 'mistake I most regret'. In stark contrast, his ex-wife, Melinda French Gates, has declared she is 'very happy' in her post-divorce life.
They are not alone in the realm of 'silver splitters'—couples who divorce later in life. Amazon founder Jeff Bezos and his former wife, MacKenzie Scott, also ended their marriage when he was 55 and she was 48. However, this trend of post-divorce contentment is not confined to the ultra-wealthy.
What the Data Says About Normal Life
A substantial survey conducted by Survation, which polled more than 2,000 women aged 45 to 65, including 220 divorcees, provides compelling data. The results were striking: nearly a third (31%) of the divorced women reported that they were happier than they had ever been.
The survey reports that many participants spoke about finally having the opportunity to become the women they had always wanted to be, viewing it as a chance to set themselves up 'for the next half of my life'. This sentiment echoes the experience of 55-year-old Pat, who described her post-divorce journey as a 'rebirth' and a 'return to my true self'.
The Gender Happiness Gap
The experience of divorce appears to be markedly different for men. A survey from 2005 indicated that while women often feel relief and liberation, men are frequently left feeling devastated, confused, and betrayed by a split.
This gender disparity is further supported by the work of behavioural scientist Paul Dolan. In his 2019 book, Happy Ever After, he presented research concluding that unmarried and childless women are not only happier but also tend to live longer than their married and childbearing peers.
For a significant number of women ending marriages in midlife, divorce is not an end but a powerful new beginning. It represents a liberation from roles and expectations, paving the way for a more authentic and fulfilling chapter where personal happiness takes centre stage.
