In a candid admission during a recent town hall meeting with staff at his philanthropic organization, Microsoft co-founder Bill Gates acknowledged making what he described as a "huge mistake" by associating with convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein. The tech billionaire also revealed personal details about extramarital affairs while firmly denying any involvement in Epstein's criminal activities.
Regret Over Epstein Association
Gates expressed deep regret about his relationship with Epstein during the Tuesday town hall meeting, a recording of which was reviewed by The Wall Street Journal. "It was a huge mistake to spend time with Epstein," Gates told foundation staff members, adding that he also regretted bringing Gates Foundation executives into meetings with the disgraced financier.
The Microsoft co-founder, who appears among prominent names in documents recently released by the U.S. Justice Department, apologized to those affected by his association with Epstein. "I apologize to other people who are drawn into this because of the mistake that I made," Gates stated during the emotional session.
Admission of Affairs
During the same meeting, Gates admitted to having two extramarital affairs with Russian women. "I did have affairs, one with a Russian bridge player who met me at bridge events, and one with a Russian nuclear physicist who I met through business activities," the 70-year-old philanthropist confessed.
These admissions came in response to allegations contained in draft emails among the Justice Department documents, where Epstein claimed his relationship with Gates ranged from "helping Bill to get drugs, in order to deal with consequences of sex with russian girls, to facilitating his illicit trysts, with married women."
Denial of Epstein Crimes
Despite acknowledging his association with Epstein and admitting to personal affairs, Gates vehemently denied any involvement with victims of the financier's crimes. Epstein died in a New York jail cell in 2019 while awaiting trial for sex trafficking underage girls.
"I did nothing illicit. I saw nothing illicit," Gates told foundation staff during the town hall meeting. He emphasized that he had no knowledge of or participation in Epstein's criminal activities.
Timeline of Epstein Relationship
Gates revealed that his relationship with Epstein began in 2011, three years after the financier pleaded guilty to soliciting a minor for prostitution. The tech titan admitted he knew about an "18-month thing" restricting Epstein's travel but didn't conduct a thorough background check.
According to Gates, his then-wife Melinda expressed concerns about Epstein in 2013, but he continued the relationship for at least another year. "Knowing what I know now makes it, you know, a hundred times worse in terms of not only his crimes in the past, but now it's clear there was ongoing bad behavior," Gates told staff members.
Foundation Impact and Response
The billionaire expressed regret that his relationship with Epstein had affected the work of the Gates Foundation, the philanthropic organization he co-founded with his former wife. The foundation did not immediately respond to requests for comment on Gates's remarks during the town hall meeting.
Gates's admissions come amid ongoing scrutiny of Epstein's connections to wealthy and powerful individuals, with documents revealing close friendships, illicit financial dealings, and private photos involving the convicted sex offender and various high-profile figures.
