Bill Gates apologizes to foundation staff for Jeffrey Epstein ties
Microsoft co-founder Bill Gates has acknowledged past extramarital affairs and expressed regret over his association with convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein, according to remarks made during a recent town hall meeting at the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation.
Gates Addresses Staff Over Epstein Relationship
During a foundation-wide meeting on Tuesday, Gates, 70, reportedly told staff members that he had flown on a private plane with Epstein and spent time with him in the United States and abroad. However, he firmly denied any involvement in criminal activity.
“I did nothing illicit. I saw nothing illicit,” Gates said, emphasizing that he never spent time with Epstein’s victims.
Gates first met Epstein in 2011, years after Epstein’s 2008 Florida conviction for procuring a minor for prostitution. Despite concerns allegedly raised by his then-wife, Melinda French Gates, Gates continued interacting with the disgraced financier for a period of time.
Admission of Affairs During Marriage
In the same meeting, Gates admitted to having two affairs during his 27-year marriage to Melinda French Gates, who filed for divorce in 2021.
According to Gates, one relationship was with a Russian bridge player he met at competitive tournaments, and the other involved a Russian nuclear physicist he encountered through professional engagements.
The Russian bridge player was previously identified in media reports as Mila Antonova. Gates reportedly met her at a bridge tournament in 2010.
Epstein’s Alleged Threats and Emails
Reports indicate that Epstein later referenced Gates’ alleged relationships in emails sent to Boris Nikolic, Gates’ former science and technology adviser. In a July 4, 2013 message, Epstein claimed that public exposure of the affairs could damage Gates’ reputation and philanthropic pledges.
In another email, Epstein appeared to write a “resignation” note impersonating Nikolic, suggesting involvement in a marital dispute between Gates and Melinda. Nikolic has denied authoring or requesting those emails.
Gates Says He Never Visited Epstein’s Island
Gates told foundation employees that while he met Epstein in New York, Germany, France, and Washington, he never visited Epstein’s private island, which has been widely associated with abuse allegations.
“To give her credit, she was always kind of skeptical about the Epstein thing,” Gates said, referring to Melinda French Gates.
He also acknowledged the broader impact of the controversy on his philanthropic organization.
“I apologize to other people who are drawn into this because of the mistake I made,” he said. “It definitely is the opposite of the values of the foundation and the goals of the foundation.”
A spokesperson for the foundation stated that Gates “spoke candidly” and “took responsibility for his actions.”
Background on the Gates Divorce and Epstein Case
Gates and Melinda French Gates finalized their divorce in 2021, ending one of the most prominent partnerships in global philanthropy.
Epstein, who was arrested on federal sex trafficking charges in 2019, died in jail later that year while awaiting trial. His associations with prominent public figures, including Gates, have remained a topic of public scrutiny.
