Bill Gates admits to two affairs, apologizes

Gates made the remarks during a scheduled town hall meeting with foundation employees, where he addressed questions following renewed scrutiny sparked by the release of additional Epstein-related documents by the US Department of Justice earlier this year.

According to a report by The Wall Street Journal, which reviewed a recording of the session, the Microsoft co-founder acknowledged that spending time with Epstein was an error in judgment.

“I did nothing illicit. I saw nothing illicit,” Gates told staff, while insisting he was not involved in any of Epstein’s criminal activities.

“I apologise to other people who are drawn into this because of the mistake that I made,” he added.

Gates said he first met Epstein in 2011, years after the financier had pleaded guilty to soliciting a minor for prostitution. He reportedly told employees that he was aware Epstein had faced travel restrictions but did not properly examine his background at the time.

He continued to meet Epstein through 2014 and spent time with him abroad, but said he “never stayed overnight” at Epstein’s properties or visited his private island. Gates also maintained that he “never spent any time with victims, the women around him”.

The renewed controversy follows the release of documents that included draft emails attributed to Epstein, in which the late financier made claims about Gates’ private life. A spokesperson for Gates has previously dismissed such allegations as “absolutely absurd and completely false”.

The Gates Foundation said the town hall formed part of its routine twice-yearly engagement with staff.

“In the town hall, Bill spoke candidly, addressing several questions in detail, and took responsibility for his actions,” a spokesperson said.

The foundation also reiterated that although a small number of employees had interacted with Epstein after he claimed he could help mobilise philanthropic resources, no collaboration was pursued. “No fund was ever created. At no time were financial payments made by the foundation to Epstein, nor was he employed by the foundation,” it said.

Melinda French Gates, who divorced Gates in 2021 after 27 years of marriage, recently described the latest document release as recalling “painful times” in her marriage, adding that those involved “need to answer to those things”.

Epstein died in a New York prison cell in 2019 while awaiting trial on sex trafficking charges. Gates has not been accused of wrongdoing by any of Epstein’s victims and has previously said he regrets his association with the disgraced financier.