Bill Gates says he regrets “every minute” spent with Jeffrey Epstein as new US documents revive scrutiny, denials and reactions from Melinda Gates.
Bill Gates says he regrets “every minute” spent with Jeffrey Epstein [Photo: X]
Bill Gates has once again found himself under intense public scrutiny after newly released US Justice Department documents revived questions about his past association with convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein. While the files do not accuse Gates of any crime, they include references and allegations that have renewed debate around judgment, accountability and transparency among powerful public figures.
Bill Gates has strongly denied the claims, expressed deep regret over his interactions with Epstein, and apologised publicly. The disclosures have also reopened conversations about how this chapter affected his personal life, including his marriage to Melinda French Gates.
Bill Gates addressed the controversy directly in an interview with Australia’s 9News, calling his time with Epstein a serious mistake. “Every minute I spent with him, I regret, and I apologize,”
Bill Gates said he met Epstein in 2011 and had several dinners with him over the following three years. He maintained that his interactions were limited and driven by philanthropic goals, particularly around global health funding.
“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,” Bill Gates also made it clear that he never visited Epstein’s private Caribbean island and denied any inappropriate relationships.
The renewed attention stems from a massive document release linked to the Epstein investigation. Among the files is a draft email written by Epstein that was never sent, in which he made unverified and explicit claims about Bill Gates’ personal life. Bill Gates rejected the contents of that email outright.
“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 echoed this stance, suggesting the email reflected Epstein’s frustration rather than reality.
“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,”
Melinda French Gates responded to the document dump in an interview with US National Public Radio, describing the emotional toll the revelations have had on her. “For me, it's personally hard whenever those details come up,”
She said the resurfacing of Epstein-related information brought back painful memories from the final years of her marriage.
“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.”
While neither Bill Gates nor Melinda Gates has publicly linked Epstein directly to the breakdown of their marriage, Melinda has previously acknowledged that Bill Gates’ association with Jeffrey Epstein caused deep discomfort and strain.
Her recent comments suggest that the issue left lasting emotional scars, even after their 2021 divorce. The renewed media focus has again placed their former relationship under a microscope.
The couple has never confirmed a single cause for their divorce, and no official statement has named Epstein as the deciding factor. However, Melinda French Gates has made it clear in past interviews that she strongly opposed Bill Gates’ interactions with Epstein.
The timing of events and repeated resurfacing of the issue have led to ongoing public speculation, though definitive answers remain private.
The story resurfaced following the release of millions of pages of documents by the US Justice Department related to Epstein’s network. The files highlight how Epstein maintained contact with influential figures even after his earlier conviction.
While being named in the files does not imply wrongdoing, the revelations have reignited broader discussions about power, access and accountability.
Gates’ reputation as a global philanthropist has long existed alongside criticism of his past judgment regarding Epstein. His repeated public apologies and firm denials appear aimed at drawing a clear line between association and misconduct.
As the Epstein files continue to surface, Gates faces renewed pressure to address lingering questions, not just legally, but ethically, in the court of public opinion.
