Newly-single Melinda Gates ditches THAT diamond ring as she reunites with billionaire ex Bill for the first time in EIGHT months: Former couple join daughters Phoebe and Jennifer for a very special celebration in New York

Melinda Gates ditched her eye-catching diamond ring as she reunited with her billionaire ex-husband Bill for the first time in eight months today to mark 27-year-old daughter Jennifer's med school graduation. 

The 59-year-old former wife of Microsoft billionaire Bill, 68, was pictured out and about in New York City with her former spouse on Friday in honor of their eldest child's achievement - with the special occasion bringing the estranged lovers back together for the first time in nearly a year. 

Jennifer - who has matched for residency at Mt. Sinai's pediatrics program - seemed to appreciate her parents putting tensions aside to focus on her  accomplishment as she grinned from ear-to-ear while walking into upscale eatery Marea on Manhattan's Upper West Side with her younger sister Phoebe, 21. 

The family reunion comes just weeks after Melinda fueled romance rumors when she stepped out donning a blinding diamond ring, which she chose to leave behind for the day in order to keep the shine on her eldest daughter. 

Melinda Gates has ditched her impressive sparkler as she reunited with ex-husband Bill for the first time in eight months to mark their daughter Jennifer's med school graduation

The 59-year-old former wife of Microsoft billionaire Bill, 68, was seen strolling around in New York City to mark Jennifer's special day as she finished med school

The awkward reunion comes just weeks after Melinda fueled romance rumors when she stepped out donning a blinding diamond ring

The family was joined by their younger daughter, Phoebe, whose 21st birthday last September served as the last occasion they were all publicly seen together. 

But while Phoebe's milestone birthday was celebrated with a party, the family marked Jennifer's achievement by enjoying an upscale lunch at Marea with each other before going their separate ways. 

The exes arrived to the elegant dining spot in separate cars and didn't hold back when it came to celebrations.  

The family sure made to ring in the accomplishment with a pricey lunch at the lavish restaurant, where a side of arugula will set diners back a staggering $18. 

Meanwhile, a selection of pasta dishes are priced at $47 each, a swordfish dish comes in at $61, an asparagus appetizer costs $39, and guests can enjoy caviar for a whopping $285. 

The pricey plates were not likely to put a huge dent in the bank accounts of Melinda and Bill however, with the former couple boasting respective fortunes of $11.2 billion and $130 billion, according to Forbes. 

Melinda looked chic as ever as she sported a floral mid-length dress with a pair of orange heels. 

She let her stunning locks fall down her shoulders and accessorized with a white purse before throwing a yellow cardigan atop her shoulders. 

Jennifer glowed in an all-white outfit while donning a Mount Sinai silver stole. 

The exes arrived to the elegant dining spot in separate cars and didn't hold back when it came to celebrations

The family was joined by their younger daughter, Phoebe, who they were last seen celebrating with on her birthday in September

Melinda looked chic as ever as she sported a floral mid-length dress with a pair of orange heels

Bill kept his look professional and simple as he sported a navy suit with a purple tie. 

Phoebe, 21, followed her mother's theme and donned a purple floral dress and threw a black coat on top. 

The family enjoyed the very lavish lunch before heading off separately. 

Last month, Jennifer - who has been studying in med school - announced that she had matched for her residency at Mt. Sinai's pediatrics program, meaning that she will maintain her status as a New York resident for at least the next few years.

Jennifer's younger sister has also been spending a lot of time in New York recently, despite currently being enrolled at Stanford University in California, where she is studying human biology, according to her online profile.

Since her divorce from Bill, Melinda has maintained a very close relationship with her daughters, regularly taking Phoebe with her on trips around the world.  

However, she was the center of headlines a few weeks ago when she stepped out in New York City sporting an enormous diamond ring. 

The family enjoyed the very lavish lunch before heading off separately

Jennifer glowed in an all-white outfit while donning a Mount Sinai silver stole

The family sure made to ring in the accomplishment with a pricey lunch at the lavish restaurant, where a side of arugula will set diners back a staggering $18

Her outing came just one day after she was first seen modeling the dazzling diamond when she touched down in the city in a private helicopter on Saturday, prompting many to question whether she was planning to walk down the aisle with her former Fox News anchor boyfriend Jon Du Pre, who she was first linked with back in 2022. 

But the billionaire philanthropist quick shut down any suggestion that she and Jon, 65, are headed for the altar when she addressed the speculation in a statement via her rep this morning, confirming that the pair have broken up - and insisting that she is not currently engaged to anyone. 

'Melinda is not engaged and is no longer dating Jon Du Pre,' a spokesperson told Page Six.

The mother-of-three, who has had no public romances since her relationship with Jon was revealed back in 2022, did seem more eager to conceal the bauble during her latest outing however - crossing her arms over her chest in what could well have been an attempt to hide the dazzler from view. 

Other than the eye-catching ring, Melinda did her best to blend into her surroundings with a simple black jacket and matching black jeans, which she paired with some $850 multi-colored Chloe sneakers, a $1,600 Celine bag, and some sunglasses that were perched on her head. 

Since her divorce from Bill, (seen together in 2019) Melinda has maintained a very close relationship with her daughters, regularly taking Phoebe with her on trips around the world

The couple released a statement at the time of their split and revealed that their wasn't just 'one moment' that led to it

The 27-year-old medical student, who is the oldest child of Microsoft co-founder Bill and Melinda, moved into a $51 million penthouse in Manhattan's trendy Tribeca neighborhood

Melinda and Bill split after nearly three decades of marriage in 2021. 

The couple released a statement at the time of their split and revealed that their wasn't just 'one moment' that led to it. 

Despite their estranged relationship, the couple seems to continue to be doting parents to their children - with Jennifer enjoying much of the luxuries that come along with having billionaire parents. 

Jennifer knew from an early age that she would have to forge her own path because she wouldn't be inheriting her parents' billions, but that doesn't mean she isn't living a life of luxury.

The 27-year-old medical student, who is the oldest child of Microsoft co-founder Bill and Melinda, moved into a $51 million penthouse in Manhattan's trendy Tribeca neighborhood.

Jennifer and her husband, Olympic showjumper Nayel Nassar, 33, have one child together, a baby girl named Leila, and they have plenty of room for their growing family in their new six-bedroom home.

The move comes six years after her father, Bill, shared that he will be giving the vast majority of his billions away to avoid spoiling his children.

However, his oldest daughter has already proven to have a strong work ethic, and the impending arrival of his first grandchild may have swayed him to purchase her the lavish penthouse.