Bill Gates has apologised to employees at the Gates Foundation, acknowledging past affairs with two Russian women and expressing deep regret over his association with convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein.
During a scheduled town hall meeting, the Microsoft co-founder addressed the recent release of Department of Justice files related to Epstein.
According to the Wall Street Journal (WSJ), Gates disclosed that Epstein had become aware of his two affairs with Russian women, maintaining he was unaware of Epstein’s crimes during their meetings.
“I did nothing illicit. I saw nothing illicit,” Gates reportedly said, according to a recording of the remarks.
Gates took responsibility for his actions during the meeting, according to the BBC.
While Gates, 70, has not been accused of wrongdoing by any of Epstein’s victims, he described his association with the financier as a huge mistake.
“I apologise to other people who are drawn into this because of the mistake that I made,” Gates told staff.
He clarified that he never spent any time with victims, the women around him, and noted that while he travelled with Epstein, he never stayed overnight or visited Epstein’s private island.
A spokesperson for the Gates Foundation confirmed the candid nature of the meeting: “In the town hall, Bill spoke candidly, addressing several questions in detail, and took responsibility for his actions.”
The relationship with Jeffrey Epstein caused significant tension between Bill Gates and Melinda French Gates before their 2021 divorce, with Gates acknowledging his ex-wife’s long-standing scepticism regarding the association.
Following the recent release of Department of Justice files, Melinda French Gates told NPR the situation resurfaced difficult memories but noted that any remaining questions should be addressed by her ex-husband.
While those files included 2013 draft emails from Epstein alleging Gates had contracted an STI, Gates’s representatives dismissed the claims as “absolutely absurd” and false.
Gates has since reiterated his deep regret over the association, while the Gates Foundation confirmed that despite Epstein’s claims of philanthropic influence, no partnership or financial transactions ever occurred.