Bill Gates is addressing his past connections to Jeffrey Epstein.
The Microsoft founder reportedly admitted to Gates Foundation staff he had affairs with two Russian women and issued an apology for his ties to the late sex offender. According to the Wall Street Journal, Gates told employees during a Tuesday town hall: “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.”
He also confessed to flying on a private jet with Epstein and spending time with him in the U.S. and abroad after they met in 2011, calling it a “huge error.” Gates said: “I did nothing illicit. I saw nothing illicit. To be clear, I never spent any time with the victims, the women around him.”
The 70-year-old apologized for bringing Gates Foundation executives into discussions with Epstein and confirmed he spent time with him in New York, Germany, France, and Washington, but denied staying overnight or visiting his infamous island. He also denied all wrongdoing.
Gates admitted to affairs while married to ex-wife Melinda Gates, who filed for divorce in 2021 after 27 years of marriage. One alleged affair was with Russian bridge player Mila Antonova, whom Epstein later discovered and reportedly tried to use as blackmail. Recent Epstein files also included redacted photos of Gates with unidentified women.
A Gates Foundation spokesperson said: “Bill spoke candidly, addressing several questions in detail, and took responsibility for his actions.”