Bill Gates Admits to Affairs During Marriage, Addresses Epstein Ties in Foundation Town Hall

SEATTLE, WA,  Microsoft co-founder and philanthropist Bill Gates acknowledged this week that he had two affairs with Russian women while married to Melinda French Gates, addressing the matter directly during a scheduled Gates Foundation employee town hall.

The 70-year-old billionaire also apologized to staff for his past association with disgraced financier Jeffrey Epstein, while firmly maintaining that he was not involved in any illicit activity.

“I did nothing illicit. I saw nothing illicit,” Gates said during the internal meeting, according to a recording reviewed by The Wall Street Journal.

The Admission: Affairs Acknowledged

During the twice-yearly foundation town hall, Gates responded to employee-submitted questions on a range of topics,  including renewed scrutiny surrounding recently released Epstein-related documents.

Gates acknowledged:

• He had an affair with a Russian bridge player he met at tournaments.
• He had a second affair with a Russian nuclear physicist connected through business circles.
• Epstein became aware of those relationships.

A spokesperson for Gates said he “spoke candidly” and “took responsibility for his actions” during the session.

The Epstein Connection: Renewed Scrutiny

The controversy resurfaced after the U.S. Justice Department released documents that included draft emails written by Epstein.

In those drafts, Epstein claimed Gates had contracted a sexually transmitted infection from “Russian girls” and sought Epstein’s help concealing it from his then-wife.

Gates’ spokesperson has previously called those allegations “absolutely absurd and completely false.”

Despite acknowledging the affairs themselves, Gates strongly denied any criminal or improper involvement tied to Epstein.

Foundation Staff Questions

According to reports, employees also raised concerns about:

• The impact of renewed media scrutiny on the Gates Foundation’s work.
• The release of Epstein-related files.
• The foundation’s initiatives in artificial intelligence and global health.

A spokesperson emphasized the town hall was a regularly scheduled internal meeting and not a crisis response event.

Public and Personal Fallout

Gates and Melinda French Gates divorced in 2021 after 27 years of marriage.

The renewed focus on Epstein comes years after the financier’s 2019 death in federal custody while awaiting trial on sex trafficking charges.

While Gates has repeatedly expressed regret over meeting Epstein, he continues to deny knowledge of any criminal conduct.

What’s Next

At this time:

• No allegations of criminal wrongdoing have been made against Gates.
• He has publicly denied any illicit activity.
• The Gates Foundation continues operating its global initiatives.

The story has reignited public discussion around accountability, reputation, and the lingering fallout from Epstein’s network of high-profile associations.