The philanthropist addressed mistakes he made in the past and offered an apology to staff at the Gates Foundation.
Bill Gates has once again opened up about his connections to convicted child sex offender Jeffrey Epstein. Speaking during a town hall on Tuesday, February 24, Bill’s remarks have drawn widespread attention and prompted strong reactions from the public.
Bill Gates in the European Council, an institution of the European Union in Brussels, Belgium on June 25, 2025 | Source: Getty Images
Foundation Fallout and a Public Apology
The 70-year-old admitted that his actions in connection with Jeffrey, along with emails recently released by the Justice Department, had cast a shadow over the Gates Foundation.
He noted that the foundation’s reputation has also been soiled. “It definitely is the opposite of the values of the Foundation and the goals of the Foundation. And our work is very reputational sensitive. I mean, people can choose to work with us or not work with us,” added Bill.
Bill Gates attends the 11th Breakthrough Prize Ceremony at Barker Hangar on April 5, 2025 in Santa Monica, California | Source: Getty Images
Bill went on to say that bringing Gates Foundation executives into meetings involving Jeffrey was a serious error. He admitted that the presence of other prestigious individuals made the meetings feel more normalized at the time.
However, he now understands that his involvement contributed to improving Jeffrey’s reputation. He added, “It was a huge mistake to spend time with Epstein. I apologize to other people who are drawn into this because of the mistake that I made.”
Bill Gates attend a meeting of Bloomberg at the Plaza Hotel on September 23, 2025 in New York City | Source: Getty Images
Reflecting on the situation, the billionaire said that knowing what he knows now made his actions far worse, given both Jeffrey’s past crimes and his ongoing misconduct. “In retrospect, I was foolish to spend any time with him,” he admitted. “And he sort of, you know, got time with various people by spending time with other people. So yes, I think I was quite stupid.”
Even so, Bill maintained that he was not involved in Jeffrey’s criminal activities. Bill added that Melinda had been wary of his interactions with Jeffrey, a concern she had raised repeatedly over the years. Now, the billionaire is witnessing the repercussions of his association with Jeffrey.Watch
Inside His Years-Long Association with Jeffrey Epstein
Bill has sought to downplay the extent of his association with Jeffrey, maintaining that they neither shared a business partnership nor a personal friendship.
However, reporting by The New York Times, based on interviews with more than a dozen individuals familiar with their interactions and a review of related documents, indicated that the two met multiple times starting in 2011.
Jeffrey Epstein in Cambridge on September 7, 2004 | Source: Getty Images
This was several years after Jeffrey had pleaded guilty in 2008 to soliciting a minor for prostitution. In the town hall meeting, Bill admitted that he was aware of a travel restriction on Jeffrey but acknowledged that he had not properly checked his background.
Bill continued seeing Jeffrey even after Melinda raised concerns in 2013. The meetings reportedly included at least three visits to Jeffrey’s Manhattan townhouse, with one extending late into the evening.
Bill Gates speaks at the pledge session of the World Health Summit on October 14, 2024 in Berlin, Germany | Source: Getty Images
Staff members from the Gates Foundation were also said to have visited the residence on several occasions. Bill reported that he continued meeting with Jeffrey through 2014, traveling with him on a private jet and spending time together in Germany, France, New York, and Washington.
However, he said he never stayed overnight and did not visit Jeffrey’s island. He described how Jeffrey spoke about intimate relationships with other wealthy men and claimed he could help raise money for philanthropic causes.
Jeffrey Epstein in Cambridge on September 8, 2004 | Source: Getty Images
For instance, Jeffrey was involved in discussions with the Gates Foundation and JPMorgan Chase regarding a proposed multibillion-dollar charitable fund. This was a venture that could have resulted in substantial fees for Jeffrey.
A spokesperson for Bill also backed him up, saying that his meetings with Jeffrey were strictly related to philanthropy. Jeffrey repeatedly attempted to steer conversations beyond charitable matters and later tried, without success, to use a past relationship to pressure Bill.
Close up image of a tablet screen displaying a portrait of Jeffrey Epstein in Washington District of Columbia on February 11, 2026 | Source: Getty Images
The spokesperson also maintained that Bill had no financial ties to Jeffrey and reiterated that he had previously acknowledged it was an error to have met him at all.
A Will, $600 Million, and Renewed Speculation
Bill and Jeffrey’s names resurfaced together after the financier appointed Boris Nikolic, a former adviser to Bill, as a successor executor in his will.
Bill Gates and Boris Nikolic attend “Together To End AIDS: An Evening To Benefit amfAR and GBCHealth” on July 21, 2012 in Washington, DC | Source: Getty Images
Jeffrey signed the document outlining nearly $600 million in assets just two days before his death by suicide in a Manhattan jail cell. The will stipulated that Boris would assume control of the estate if the two primary executors were unable or unwilling to serve.
Boris later indicated that he had been surprised to learn he was included and, through a representative, made clear that he had not been consulted and did not intend to take on the role.
Jeffrey Epstein in Cambridge on September 8, 2004 | Source: Getty Images
Under the terms of the will, the executors were each set to receive $250,000. The estate, composed of cash and investments declared shortly before Jeffrey’s death, was placed into a trust. His brother, Mark Epstein, was identified as the only potential beneficiary.
Boris is a physician who completed postdoctoral training at Harvard Medical School and went on to serve on its faculty as an assistant professor. He previously held the position of chief science and technology adviser to Bill.
Jeffrey Epstein attends Launch of Radar Magazine at Hotel QT on May 18, 2005 in New York City | Source: Getty Images
His inclusion in the will fueled further speculation about the extent of the relationship between Bill and Jeffrey, beyond what Bill has publicly acknowledged.
Affairs, Photos, and More Uncomfortable Admissions
In the town hall meeting, Bill also acknowledged that he had two affairs with Russian women, which Jeffrey later learned about, but emphasized that these incidents did not involve any of Jeffrey’s victims. He stressed that he had seen or done nothing illegal.
Bill Gates speaks during panel discussion at the Clinton Global Initiative (CGI) summit on September 24, 2024 in New York City | Source: Getty Images
The billionaire said one of the Russian women was a bridge player he met at bridge events, and the other a nuclear physicist he encountered through professional activities.
Bill also addressed images recently released in the Epstein files showing him with women whose faces were redacted. He explained that these photos were taken at Jeffrey’s request, with the assistance of Jeffrey’s staff, after their meetings.
Bill Gates is seen in the stands during the Artistic Gymnastics Women’s Team Final on day four of the Olympic Games on July 30, 2024 in Paris, France | Source: Getty Images
The philanthropist clarified that he never spent time with Jeffrey’s victims. Bill said that 2014 was the last year he met with Jeffrey, although some minor issues continued in correspondence afterward, which he did not respond to.
Microsoft’s Response to Old Scandals
This is not the first time news about an affair Bill had has hit the airwaves. In 2021, a representative for Bill acknowledged in a statement that he had engaged in an affair nearly two decades earlier, noting that it ended on amicable terms.
Bill Gates during a tour of the Innovation Showcase at the Breakthrough Energy Summit on June 27, 2024 in London, England | Source: Getty Images
The spokesperson emphasized that Bill’s decision to step down from Microsoft’s board was unrelated to that matter. They added that the billionaire had already expressed a desire years before to devote more of his time to philanthropic work.
Separately, a Microsoft spokesperson confirmed, “Microsoft received a concern in the latter half of 2019 that Bill Gates sought to initiate an intimate relationship with a company employee in the year 2000.”
Bill Gates speaks to youth participants at the Global Solutions Summit on May 7, 2024 in Berlin, Germany | Source: Getty Images
The spokesperson said the matter was reviewed by a board committee, which enlisted an external law firm to carry out a comprehensive investigation. According to the company, support was provided to the employee who brought the concern forward throughout the process.
Divorce, Distrust, and Growing Tensions
In 2021, Bill and Melinda also revealed that they were ending their marriage after 27 years together. In a joint announcement, the two shared that the decision followed significant reflection.
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As much as they recognized the effort invested in their relationship, they had ultimately concluded they could no longer continue growing together as a couple.
They exes noted that while their marriage was coming to an end, their shared commitment to their philanthropic mission would remain unchanged. They intended to continue collaborating at their foundation.
The pair also asked for privacy as their family adjusted to the transition. Together, they share three children: Jennifer, Rory, and Phoebe.
As details about Bill’s alleged affairs and his association with Jeffrey entered the public sphere, the revelations added context to the couple’s eventual split.
People who attended or were briefed on gatherings involving the two men said Melinda had been uneasy about her husband’s continued contact with the convicted sex offender. However, those meetings persisted.
By October 2019, when scrutiny over the connection intensified, tensions had reportedly deepened. Around that time, Melinda sought legal counsel, beginning a process that eventually led to the public announcement that their marriage was ending.
Still, the extent of her knowledge regarding Bill’s conduct and how significantly it factored into their divorce has not been fully established.
Melinda Gates Speaks Out After the Split
After their divorce, as new revelations about Bill’s connections with Jeffrey continued to surface, Melinda became increasingly determined to distance herself from the situation.
In an interview on NPR’s “Wild Card” podcast, she said that her ex-husband should address the allegations highlighted in private communications released in connection with Jeffrey.
“For me, it’s personally hard whenever those details come up, right? Because it brings back memories of some very, very painful times in my marriage,” she shared.
Melinda Gates added that any remaining questions about the situation are for the individuals involved — including her ex-husband — to answer, not for her to address.
The Damning Emails That Changed the Narrative
The emails revealed highly disturbing allegations about Bill’s interactions with Jeffrey. According to the messages, Jeffrey claimed that Bill had approached him to arrange encounters with married women.
Bill Gates speaks onstage for a special conversation during “What’s Next? The Future With Bill Gates” at The Paris Theater on September 26, 2024 in New York City | Source: Getty Images
He added that the billionaire wanted to obtain medication for a sexually transmitted infection (STI) allegedly contracted from “sex with Russian girls.” Jeffrey also asserted that Bill sought to secretly provide the medication to Melinda.
One email from Jeffrey expressed anger over Bill’s requests, including deleting emails about the STI, providing antibiotics for secret use on Melinda, and descriptions of his own genitalia.
The documents, released by the Justice Department, underscored the depth of Jeffrey’s personal connections with influential figures. It went far beyond the professional relationship Bill said he had with Jeffrey.
In her NPR interview, Melinda said the release of these materials brought her profound sadness and served as a stark reminder of the difficulties she endured during her marriage.
She noted, “I’m able to take my own sadness and look at those young girls and say, my God, how did that happen to those girls? At least for me, I’ve been able to move on in life, and I hope there’s some justice for those now-women.”
Online Backlash Erupts as Files Continue to Drop
Netizens were quick to react to Bill’s latest remarks, sharing their shock, amusement, and disbelief online. One commenter pointed out the irony of the situation, “He’s telling on himself before they tell on him, lol.”
Bill Gates at the opening of the Barberini Museum on January 20, 2017 in Potsdam | Photo: Getty Images
Another person remarked, “Now we know why the divorce.” One netizen urged Bill, “Let the truth set you free ….. and how old were they?!”
As the Epstein files continue to be released, prominent figures like Bill Gates are increasingly drawn into the discussion, revealing the extensive network Jeffrey maintained among the world’s influential individuals.
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