Bill Gates, Microsoft co-founder has apologised to staff at the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation over his past relationship with convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein, calling it a “huge mistake”.
Speaking recently at a staff town hall, the Microsoft co-founder admitted he regretted spending time with Epstein and taking foundation executives to meetings with him. The development was first reported by The Wall Street Journal (WSJ).
The renewed scrutiny follows the release of US justice department documents linked to Epstein, who died in custody in 2019.
Among the records is an email in which Epstein claimed Gates had contracted a sexually transmitted infection and sought antibiotics to secretly give to his then-wife, Melinda French Gates. Gates has firmly denied the allegation.
The documents also outline multiple interactions between Gates and Epstein, including dinners, phone calls and discussions centred on philanthropy.
“A Huge Mistake”
Gates told foundation employees he first met Epstein in 2011, despite Epstein having previously pleaded guilty to soliciting a minor for prostitution. He admitted failing to properly examine Epstein’s background at the time.
“I apologise to other people who are drawn into this because of the mistake that I made,” Gates said, according to a recording reviewed by the Journal.
He added that although he met Epstein several times through 2014 including meetings abroad, he never stayed overnight at Epstein’s properties or visited his private island.
Affairs and Personal Fallout
The billionaire philanthropist also acknowledged having two affairs during his marriage but stressed he had no involvement in Epstein’s criminal activities.
“One of the women was a Russian bridge player who met me at bridge events, and the other a Russian nuclear physicist,” he said.
The relationship reportedly continued even after Melinda expressed discomfort. In a recent interview, she said the latest document release resurfaced “painful times” in her marriage, adding that she was “so happy to be away from all the muck”.
The renewed revelations place Gates back under public scrutiny as questions resurface over his judgement and past associations.
