Bill Gates took responsibility for Epstein ties in foundation town hall as affairs with Russian women are acknowledged
In a foundation town hall, bill gates took responsibility for his actions and addressed his links to convicted financier Jeffrey Epstein, telling staff he apologised for mistakes while denying illicit behaviour. The disclosure — including an admission of affairs with two Russian women and a denial that he saw illicit conduct — has intensified scrutiny after a recent release of files by the US Department of Justice.
Bill Gates addresses Epstein ties and personal admissions
The charitable organisation said Bill spoke candidly at a scheduled town hall with employees and answered questions submitted by foundation staff. The foundation characterised the session as a standard event the founder holds twice a year and said the conversation covered a range of topics, including the release of the Epstein files, the foundation's work in AI, and the future of global health.
Admissions about affairs and denial of illicit behaviour
A US newspaper that reviewed a recording of Gates's remarks said he apologised to staff and acknowledged he had two affairs with Russian women, which Epstein later learned about. He denied engaging in illicit conduct, using language to the effect of "I did nothing illicit. I saw nothing illicit. " He also apologised to other people who were drawn into the matter because of mistakes he made.
Timeline of meetings with Epstein
Gates told foundation staff he first met Epstein in 2011, years after Epstein had pleaded guilty to soliciting a minor for prostitution. He said he was aware of some "18-month thing" that had limited Epstein's travel but acknowledged that he did not properly check Epstein's background. Gates said he continued to meet Epstein through 2014 and that he spent time with Epstein abroad. He added that he never stayed overnight or visited Epstein's island.
Images, files and oversight material
The recently released files include images of Gates with women whose faces are redacted. The US files include pictures that Gates said Epstein asked him to take with his assistants after meetings. An image from those files was released by a congressional oversight committee in December last year. The January release of Department of Justice files prompted renewed attention to Gates's relationship with Epstein.
Foundation response and broader context
A spokesperson for the foundation described the town hall as a scheduled meeting in which Bill answered staff questions on multiple issues, stating that Bill spoke candidly, addressed several questions in detail, and took responsibility for his actions. The foundation noted the discussion included both the Epstein files and programmatic work such as AI and global health.
Family background and reaction
Gates established the philanthropic organisation with his then wife, Melinda French Gates. The couple divorced in 2021 after 27 years of marriage. In a recent podcast interview, Melinda French Gates said the latest release of files had dredged up "painful times in my marriage. "
The Microsoft co-founder, 70, has not been accused of wrongdoing by any of Epstein's victims. The disclosures and the sequence of meetings described by Gates have prompted renewed questions and public attention; details may continue to develop as the foundation and other parties respond.
