Epstein Files: Bill Gates Acknowledges Affairs With Two Russian Women, Apologises to Foundation Staff

Bill Gates has acknowledged having affairs with two Russian women and apologised to employees of the Gates Foundation, weeks after initially rejecting claims linked to newly released files connected to Jeffrey Epstein.

Speaking at a staff meeting on Tuesday, the Microsoft co-founder said he had personal relationships with a Russian bridge player he met at tournaments and a Russian nuclear physicist he encountered through business engagements. According to a report by The Wall Street Journal, Gates told employees the relationships were consensual and did not involve any illegal conduct.

He denied any sexual contact with women associated with Epstein and said he never travelled to the financier’s private island in the Caribbean.

Gates described his association with Epstein as a serious misjudgment. “I apologise to other people who are drawn into this because of the mistake that I made,” he told staff, adding that he had no involvement with Epstein’s victims.

The billionaire said he first met Epstein in 2011, several years after Epstein had been convicted of soliciting prostitution from a minor and registered as a sex offender. Gates said he did not fully understand the extent of Epstein’s conduct at the time.

He also disclosed that his former wife, Melinda Gates, had expressed reservations about Epstein. Gates said he had dismissed her concerns, but now recognises the gravity of the situation.

Reflecting on the impact of Epstein’s crimes, Gates said they contradict the principles of the Gates Foundation and acknowledged the potential reputational risks for the organisation. He noted that the foundation’s partnerships depend heavily on public trust and shared values.