Bill Gates has publicly expressed regret over the time he spent with Jeffrey Epstein, saying he regrets “every minute” he was associated with the convicted sexual offender. His former wife, Melinda French Gates, added that lingering questions remain about her ex-husband’s connection to Epstein.
The remarks follow the recent release of a new batch of documents by the US Justice Department, which included emails involving prominent figures and Epstein. Some of these emails revealed personal friendships, financial dealings, and private exchanges.
Among the documents was a draft email in which Epstein accused Gates of engaging in extramarital affairs and facilitating illicit activities. Gates strongly denied the claims.
“Every minute I spent with him, I regret, and I apologize,” Gates told 9News Australia. He added, “That email was never sent. The email is false. I don’t know what his thinking was there. Was he trying to attack me in some way?”
A spokesperson for Gates reinforced this statement, emphasizing that the documents only reflect Epstein’s attempts to manipulate and defame others:
“The only thing these documents demonstrate is Epstein’s frustration that he did not have an ongoing relationship with Gates and the lengths he would go to entrap and defame,” the spokesperson said.
Melinda French Gates, speaking to US National Public Radio, recalled the painful memories the release of these documents brought back:
“For me, it’s personally hard whenever those details come up,” she said. “Whatever questions remain… those questions are for those people and for even my ex-husband. They need to answer to those things, not me.”
Bill Gates shared that he first met Epstein in 2011 and had several dinners with him over the following three years. He denied visiting Epstein’s Caribbean island or engaging in relations with women. Gates said the meetings were primarily centered on Epstein claiming he could connect wealthy individuals to global health initiatives—a pursuit Gates now sees as “a dead end.”
While appearing in the Epstein files does not automatically suggest wrongdoing, the documents shed light on the connections between Epstein and public figures who have sometimes downplayed or denied those associations.
At the heart of the story is a human reality: even billionaires and high-profile figures can find themselves reflecting on past mistakes, misunderstandings, and moments they wish they could undo. It’s a reminder that the consequences of association, trust, and judgment ripple far beyond the headlines.
