Bill Gates ‘Took Responsibility’ for Epstein Meetings in Staff Address, Foundation Confirms

In a candid address to employees of the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, billionaire philanthropist Bill Gates “took responsibility for his actions” regarding his past associations with convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein, the organization confirmed on Tuesday.

During a scheduled town hall meeting—which the foundation stated Gates holds twice a year with staff—the Microsoft co-founder addressed questions surrounding recently unsealed documents related to Epstein, as well as the foundation’s work in artificial intelligence and global health.

According to a report from The Wall Street Journal, which reviewed a recording of the remarks, Gates apologized to staff and detailed two past affairs with Russian women, which he claimed Epstein later discovered. Regarding the disgraced financier, Gates reportedly stated: “I did nothing illicit. I saw nothing illicit.”

Gates, 70, has faced renewed scrutiny following the release of files by the US Department of Justice in January. He has not been accused of wrongdoing by any of Epstein’s victims.

‘A Huge Mistake to Spend Time with Epstein’

The Journal reported that Gates acknowledged his meetings with Epstein were a “huge mistake,” though he insisted he “never spent any time with victims, the women around him.” He reportedly apologized to staff “who are drawn into this because of the mistake that I made.”

Addressing specific images included in the Epstein files—pictures of Gates with women whose faces were redacted—he explained that Epstein had asked him to take those photos with his assistants following their meetings.

Gates reportedly told staff that he first met Epstein in 2011, years after Epstein pleaded guilty to soliciting a minor for prostitution. While Gates claimed he was aware of some “18-month thing” that limited Epstein’s travel, he admitted he did not properly vet him. The meetings reportedly continued through 2014, including time spent abroad, though Gates stated he “never stayed overnight” or visited Epstein’s island.

The report also indicated that Gates continued the relationship despite his ex-wife, Melinda French Gates, expressing doubts. “To give her credit, she was always kind of sceptical about the Epstein thing,” he reportedly said. He added that Epstein had presented himself as a conduit to other billionaires who could help raise funds for Gates’ charitable causes.

Melinda French Gates Reacts

The Gates Foundation confirmed the town hall’s occurrence, stating: “In the conversation, Bill answered questions submitted by foundation staff on a range of issues… Bill spoke candidly, addressing several questions in detail, and took responsibility for his actions.”

The remarks come weeks after Melinda French Gates, who divorced Gates in 2021 after 27 years of marriage, commented on the release of the files. In an interview with an NPR podcast earlier this month, she said the documents brought up “painful times in my marriage.”

“I am so happy to be away from all the muck,” she said. “Whatever questions remain there… those questions are for those people and for even my ex-husband. They need to answer to those things, not me.”

Foundation and Spokesperson Statements

In his reported remarks, Gates stated that the two women with whom he had affairs were met through his own social and business activities.

The address follows claims in emails drafted by Epstein in July 2013—contained in the January files—alleging that Gates contracted a sexually transmitted infection and tried to hide it from his then-wife. Gates’s spokesperson previously called that claim “absolutely absurd and completely false.”

A foundation spokesperson reiterated that “a small number of foundation employees interacted” with Epstein based on his claims that he could “mobilise significant philanthropic resources,” but stressed that “the foundation did not pursue any collaboration with Epstein and no fund was ever created.”

Gates had previously told Australian outlet 9News in February that his interactions with Epstein were limited to dinners and that he regretted “every minute” spent with him. “I apologise that I did that,” he said at the time.