Bill Gates Voices Regret Over Epstein Association as Ex-Wife Reflects on Marriage Difficulties
Bill Gates has broken his silence to express profound regret over his association with the late financier Jeffrey Epstein, while his former wife Melinda French Gates has spoken candidly about the "muck" within their marriage during a revealing interview.
Gates Denies Allegations and Addresses Epstein Relationship
In his first public comments on the matter, the Microsoft founder appeared on Australian television channel 9News to address allegations that have emerged from the latest release of Epstein documents. Gates, 70, described claims that he hid a sexually transmitted disease from his wife after contact with "Russian girls" as "absolutely absurd and completely false."
The billionaire philanthropist specifically addressed a 2013 email allegedly written by Epstein that claimed Gates subsequently tried to give antibiotics to Melinda surreptitiously. "Apparently, Jeffrey wrote an email to himself. That email was never sent. The email is false," Gates stated firmly during the interview.
Reflecting on his association with Epstein, Gates revealed: "I don't know what his thinking was there. Was he trying to attack me in some way? Every minute I spent with him, I regret, and I apologize that I did that." He explained that he initially met Epstein in 2011 and had several dinners with him to discuss potential investments in scientific ventures.
Melinda French Gates Speaks Out on Marriage and Epstein Fallout
Meanwhile, Melinda French Gates offered her perspective during an interview with NPR's Wild Card podcast, describing how the Epstein revelations have brought back "memories of some very, very painful times in my marriage." The 61-year-old philanthropist made it clear that questions about her ex-husband's relationship with Epstein remain unanswered.
"Whatever questions remain there of what - I can't even begin to know all of it - those questions are for those people and for even my ex-husband. They need to answer to those things, not me," French Gates asserted, distancing herself from the controversy while acknowledging its personal impact.
She described the release of Epstein documents as a "reckoning as a society" and expressed particular concern for the victims: "No girl should ever be put in the situation they were put in by Epstein and whatever was going on with all of the various people around him. It's beyond heartbreaking."
Gates Details His Limited Epstein Involvement
During his television appearance, Gates provided additional context about his limited involvement with Epstein, insisting he never visited the financier's private Caribbean island where numerous allegations of abuse have emerged. "The focus was always, he knew a lot of very rich people, and he was saying he could get them to give money to global health. In retrospect, that was a dead end," Gates explained.
He maintained that he had no relations with any women through Epstein and described his decision to spend time with the financier as foolish. "I was one of many people who regret ever knowing him. The more that comes out, the more clear it will be that, although the time was a mistake, it has nothing to do with that kind of behaviour," Gates stated.
Melinda's Emotional Response and Moving Forward
When asked about her reaction to the specific allegations against her ex-husband, particularly the claim about secretly procuring antibiotics, French Gates described feeling "just unbelievable sadness." She added: "I'm able to take my own sadness and look at those young girls and say, 'My God, how did that happen to those girls?' I hope there's some justice for those now women. What they went through is unimaginable."
The philanthropist, who ended her 27-year marriage to Gates in 2021, revealed she has "moved on" and is now "in a really unexpected, beautiful place in my life. I'm so happy to be away from all the muck that was there."
Political Reactions and Congressional Interest
The public airing of these personal matters has attracted political attention, with Republican South Carolina congresswoman Nancy Mace stating she supports French Gates's position that her ex-husband has questions to answer. Mace revealed she has written to James Comer, chair of the House oversight committee investigating Epstein's activities, requesting that Bill Gates be subpoenaed.
"Last night, I watched Melinda Gates interview. I immediately asked the chairman of oversight, James Comer, to subpoena Bill Gates. I have questions for Bill Gates about Epstein," Mace wrote in a social media post. This development comes as Bill and Hillary Clinton have agreed to testify before the same committee regarding their own connections to Epstein.
The full interview with Melinda French Gates will be released by NPR on Thursday, promising further insights into this ongoing saga that continues to reverberate through elite circles more than six years after Epstein's death by suicide while awaiting trial on sexual abuse trafficking charges.
