Bill Gates Confronts Past Controversies in Internal Foundation Meeting
In a rare and candid address to his own staff, Microsoft co-founder Bill Gates directly tackled long-standing questions about his personal and professional history, which have repeatedly surfaced amid the public dissolution of his marriage to Melinda French Gates. During a scheduled town hall at the Gates Foundation on February 24, Gates acknowledged extramarital affairs and revisited scrutiny over his ties to the late financier Jeffrey Epstein, according to a recording reviewed by The Wall Street Journal.
Admissions of Extramarital Affairs and Epstein Allegations
Gates admitted to having two extramarital relationships with Russian women while married to Melinda French Gates. He described these affairs as involving a "Russian bridge player who met me at bridge events" and a "Russian nuclear physicist who I met through business activities." The bridge player was previously identified in 2023 as Mila Antonova, who reportedly met Gates around 2010 when she was in her twenties.
These admissions came amid renewed attention following the U.S. Justice Department's release of documents containing draft emails written by Epstein. In those drafts, Epstein accused Gates of contracting a sexually transmitted infection from "Russian girls" and seeking help to conceal it from his then-wife. A spokesperson for Gates had earlier dismissed these allegations as "absolutely absurd and completely false." However, at the town hall, Gates stated, "I did nothing illicit. I saw nothing illicit," while acknowledging that Epstein learned of the relationships.
Addressing Epstein Ties as a "Huge Mistake"
Beyond his personal conduct, Gates addressed his association with Jeffrey Epstein, who died in federal custody in 2019 while facing sex trafficking charges. Gates labeled it a "huge mistake to spend time with Epstein" after first meeting him in 2011, years after Epstein had pleaded guilty to soliciting a minor for prostitution. Their interactions continued until 2014, though Gates clarified he never stayed overnight with Epstein or visited his private island.
Gates apologized, saying, "I apologize to other people who are drawn into this because of the mistake that I made." He reiterated a previous justification, explaining that his contact with Epstein was motivated by philanthropy, as Epstein claimed he could secure donations from wealthy individuals for global health causes. Gates reflected, "In retrospect, that was a dead end." He also admitted to insufficient vetting, noting he was aware of some "18-month thing" that restricted Epstein's travel but said, "Knowing what I know now makes it, you know, a hundred times worse in terms of not only his crimes in the past, but now it’s clear there was ongoing bad behavior."
Reputational Fallout and Foundation Impact
The town hall also touched on the broader repercussions of these controversies. Melinda French Gates, who divorced Gates in 2021, has publicly stated he needed to "answer" for his connections with Epstein. During the meeting, Gates reportedly credited her for being "skeptical" of Epstein from the outset.
Gates acknowledged the reputational damage to the Gates Foundation, emphasizing, "It definitely is the opposite of the values of the foundation and the goals of the foundation. And our work is very reputational sensitive. I mean, people can choose to work with us or not work with us." A spokesperson for Gates described the meeting as routine, noting it was a scheduled town hall where Gates answered staff questions on topics including the Epstein files, AI initiatives, and global health efforts, and took responsibility for his actions.
This internal discussion highlights the ongoing challenges Gates faces in managing his legacy amid persistent public scrutiny, underscoring the delicate balance between personal accountability and philanthropic endeavors.
