Bill Gates apologises to his foundation staff for meeting Jeffrey Epstein but firmly denies any illegal or improper conduct.
New Delhi: Microsoft co-founder Bill Gates has apologised to employees of the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation for his past association with convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein. He admitted that meeting Epstein was a serious mistake but clearly said he did not do anything illegal.
Huge Mistake Admitted
During a recent town hall meeting with Foundation staff, Gates said it was a “huge mistake” to spend time with Epstein. He also said he was sorry that his decision caused embarrassment and reputational damage to the organisation. Gates accepted that introducing other Foundation officials to Epstein was also wrong.
He told employees that he regretted continuing the relationship even after knowing about Epstein’s criminal past.
Denies Illegal Conduct
Gates clearly told staff, “I did nothing illicit” and “I saw nothing illicit.” He strongly denied being involved in any illegal or unethical activity connected to Epstein. He also said he never met or interacted with any of Epstein’s victims.
Recently discussed documents, often called the “Epstein files,” include emails, interview notes and photographs mentioning Epstein’s meetings with well-known people, including Gates. These documents have brought fresh public attention to their past association.
Photos And Documents
Some photographs show Gates with women linked to Epstein. Gates explained that these photos were taken after meetings at Epstein’s request. He said the women were assistants and not victims of trafficking or abuse.
Certain draft emails mentioned unverified allegations about Gates and claims involving “Russian girls” and drugs. Gates denied these claims and said they were false and not proven.
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Meetings After Conviction
Epstein pleaded guilty in 2008 to procuring a minor for prostitution and became a registered sex offender. Gates began meeting him in 2011, three years after that conviction, and continued occasional meetings until 2014.
Gates admitted that he knew Epstein had a controversial background. However, he said he did not carry out a deep background check at the time. He also confirmed that he travelled with Epstein on a private jet and met him in cities such as New York, Washington, Germany and France. Still, he maintained that he never visited Epstein’s private island and never stayed at his homes.
Epstein later died by suicide in a New York jail in August 2019 while waiting for trial on federal sex trafficking charges.
Personal Affairs Revealed
Gates also admitted that he had extramarital affairs with two Russian women during his marriage. He said one woman was a Russian bridge player he met at tournaments. The other was a Russian nuclear physicist he met through professional work.
He clarified that these relationships were separate from Epstein’s criminal activities and did not involve any illegal behaviour. Gates said these personal matters should not be linked to Epstein’s crimes.
Reports earlier suggested that his former wife, Melinda French Gates, was uncomfortable with his meetings with Epstein. She had reportedly expressed concerns as early as 2013 after meeting Epstein and feeling uneasy about him.
Foundation Reputation Impact
Gates acknowledged that his association with Epstein created unnecessary risk for the Foundation’s image. The Foundation works in global health, poverty reduction and education, and depends heavily on public trust.
He apologised to staff for the distraction and stress caused by the controversy. He said he understood that such associations could affect relationships with governments, donors and global partners.
Public Scrutiny Continues
The controversy has once again raised questions about the connections between powerful individuals and Epstein. Reports say Gates even cancelled a keynote speech at the India AI Impact Summit 2026 as public attention around the issue grew.
While Gates has admitted poor judgement, he continues to deny any illegal or immoral conduct. He maintains that his meetings with Epstein focused on philanthropy and charitable discussions.
In his message to staff, Gates accepted responsibility for the damage caused by his decisions. However, he firmly stated that he never took part in or witnessed any criminal activity. The issue remains a sensitive matter for him and the Foundation, as public scrutiny over Epstein’s network continues.
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