Microsoft co-founder tells foundation staff he regrets meetings with disgraced financier and denies involvement in crimes
Bill Gates has admitted that his association with convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein was a “huge mistake”, telling employees at his philanthropic organisation that he deeply regretted the relationship and its impact on the foundation’s work.
Speaking at a twice-yearly town hall meeting of the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation on Tuesday, Gates apologised for what he described as errors of judgement in spending time with Epstein and introducing foundation executives to him. A recording of the meeting was reviewed by The Wall Street Journal.
“It was a huge mistake to spend time with Epstein,” Gates said, according to the report. “I apologise to other people who are drawn into this because of the mistake that I made.”
The comments come after the United States Department of Justice released documents detailing Epstein’s network of wealthy and influential associates. The files include references to personal relationships and alleged financial dealings involving prominent figures.
In one draft email contained in the released materials, Epstein made allegations about Gates’s private life, including claims of extramarital affairs. At the town hall, Gates acknowledged having had relationships outside his marriage, including with two Russian women — a bridge player and a nuclear physicist — but denied any involvement in illegal conduct.
“I did nothing illicit. I saw nothing illicit,” he told staff, firmly rejecting any connection to Epstein’s criminal activities.
Epstein died in a New York jail cell in 2019 while awaiting trial on federal sex-trafficking charges involving underage girls. His death was ruled a suicide.
Gates said his association with Epstein began in 2011, three years after Epstein had pleaded guilty in Florida to soliciting a minor for prostitution. He acknowledged that he was aware Epstein had faced legal restrictions but admitted he had not fully examined his background at the time.
He also revealed that his then-wife, Melinda French Gates, had raised concerns about Epstein as early as 2013. Despite this, Gates continued contact with the financier for at least another year.
“Knowing what I know now makes it a hundred times worse,” Gates said, referring both to Epstein’s past conviction and to subsequent revelations about his conduct.
In a statement, the Gates Foundation said the town hall was part of a scheduled internal event and that Gates had addressed questions candidly, taking responsibility for his actions.
The renewed scrutiny highlights the reputational fallout that continues to ripple through global institutions and individuals connected, however indirectly, to Epstein’s criminal network.
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