Bill Gates says he had affairs with 2 Russian women, denies ties to Epstein’s victims

Bill Gates has publicly addressed his controversial association with Jeffrey Epstein, telling staff at the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation that 'it was a huge mistake to spend time with Epstein' and to involve foundation executives in meetings with the disgraced financier. The Microsoft co-founder's remarks, made during a recorded town hall reviewed by The Wall Street Journal, come in response to newly released U.S. Justice Department documents that detail Epstein's network of prominent associates. Gates expressed regret that his actions had negatively impacted the foundation's philanthropic mission and apologized to those drawn into the controversy.

During the session, Gates specifically admitted to having extramarital affairs with two Russian women, addressing allegations contained within a draft email from Epstein among the released documents. The email claimed Epstein's relationship with Gates ranged from 'helping Bill to get drugs, in order to deal with consequences of sex with russian girls, to facilitating his illicit trysts, with married women.' Gates, 70, framed his admissions as part of taking responsibility for mistakes that have overshadowed the foundation's global health and development work. The episode highlights ongoing scrutiny of tech leaders' personal conduct and its potential to affect their professional and philanthropic legacies.