Microsoft co-founder and philanthropist Bill Gates has acknowledged having affairs with two Russian women and publicly apologised to employees of the Gates Foundation over his past association with disgraced financier Jeffrey Epstein.
Gates made the remarks during a town hall meeting with staff at the Gates Foundation on Tuesday, February 24, where he addressed questions surrounding his previous interactions with Epstein and the renewed scrutiny generated by recently released documents.
According to a report by The Wall Street Journal, Gates described his decision to spend time with Epstein as a “huge mistake” and expressed regret for involving foundation executives in meetings with the convicted sex offender.
“I apologise to other people who are drawn into this because of the mistake that I made,” Gates said, according to a recording of the town hall cited in the report.
The billionaire philanthropist reportedly admitted that he had two consensual affairs with Russian women, information that Epstein later became aware of. However, Gates stressed that the women involved were not victims of Epstein and that his relationships were unrelated to the financier’s criminal activities.
“I did nothing illicit. I saw nothing illicit,” Gates told staff during the meeting.
The apology comes amid renewed public attention on Epstein’s network of high-profile associates following the release of additional U.S. Department of Justice documents. Epstein, who was convicted in 2008 on sex-related charges and later arrested again in 2019 on federal trafficking charges, died in jail that same year while awaiting trial.
Previously released Justice Department files had already confirmed that Gates met with Epstein multiple times after the financier had served his earlier prison sentence. The meetings reportedly focused on discussions about expanding philanthropic initiatives, including global health and development efforts.
The documents also included photographs of Gates posing with women whose identities were redacted. According to The Wall Street Journal, Gates explained to foundation staff that the images were taken at Epstein’s request, describing the women as assistants present during meetings.
“To be clear, I never spent any time with victims, the women around him,” Gates reportedly told employees, distancing himself from Epstein’s criminal conduct and the broader exploitation that defined the financier’s case.
A spokesperson for the Gates Foundation confirmed that the town hall meeting took place as scheduled and that Gates answered questions candidly, including those concerning the so-called “Epstein files” and his past decisions.
“In the town hall, Bill spoke candidly, addressing several questions in detail, and took responsibility for his actions,” the spokesperson said.
The foundation emphasized that the statement issued after the meeting reflects Gates’ position and that it does not intend to provide additional commentary on the matter.
Earlier this month, the Gates Foundation reiterated that it never made any financial payments to Epstein and never employed him in any capacity. The organisation has consistently maintained that Epstein had no formal role in its operations and did not contribute to its philanthropic programmes.
Gates’ association with Epstein has been a source of controversy for several years. Although Gates has previously acknowledged meeting Epstein, he has also stated that the interactions were a mistake and that he regrets the association.
In 2021, following his divorce from Melinda French Gates, reports emerged that his former wife had expressed discomfort about Epstein and had warned him against maintaining contact. Gates later described his relationship with Epstein as a serious error in judgment.
The renewed scrutiny comes at a time when public figures linked to Epstein are facing heightened examination. The release of additional court and investigative documents has prompted questions about the nature and extent of Epstein’s relationships with prominent business leaders, academics, and politicians.
For Gates, the issue is particularly sensitive given his global philanthropic profile. Through the Gates Foundation, he has been involved in major initiatives addressing public health, poverty reduction, education, and technological innovation across the world.
Observers note that Gates’ decision to address the matter directly with staff reflects an effort to contain reputational fallout and maintain institutional credibility. By acknowledging personal mistakes while denying any criminal wrongdoing, Gates appears to be attempting to draw a clear distinction between poor judgment in association and complicity in illegal activity.
The Wall Street Journal report suggests that foundation employees raised pointed questions during the town hall, particularly in light of the latest document releases. Gates’ responses, according to those familiar with the meeting, were direct and included expressions of regret for the distraction and reputational damage the controversy has caused.
Meanwhile, Gates’ public schedule has also drawn attention. The billionaire recently withdrew from India’s AI Impact Summit just hours before he was due to deliver a keynote address. Although no official reason was given for the withdrawal, the timing coincided with renewed media coverage of his past ties to Epstein.
Despite the controversy, Gates continues to play a prominent role in global philanthropy and technology discourse. However, the persistence of questions surrounding his association with Epstein underscores the long shadow cast by the financier’s criminal activities and the ongoing scrutiny of those who interacted with him.
For now, Gates’ message to his foundation staff was one of acknowledgment and apology. While he firmly denied any illicit conduct or connection to Epstein’s victims, he conceded that maintaining contact with the disgraced financier was a serious lapse in judgment — one he now publicly regrets.
As investigations and document disclosures continue, the broader implications for high-profile individuals linked to Epstein remain uncertain. For Gates, the immediate focus appears to be restoring trust within his organisation and reinforcing the foundation’s mission amid lingering public scrutiny.
