Bill Gates acknowledges his relationships with Russian women during his marriage and describes his time with Epstein as a significant error

During an open meeting with foundation employees, Microsoft co-founder Bill Gates recognized his previous personal misconduct and responded to the renewed examination of his past connection with Jeffrey Epstein.

Gates, 70, informed staff on Tuesday that he had engaged in two affairs with Russian women while married to Melinda French Gates, with their marriage concluding in divorce in 2021 after 27 years. At the town hall, he also discussed the time he spent with Epstein following the financier’s 2008 conviction in Florida.

The Wall Street Journal reports that Gates acknowledged traveling on a private plane with Epstein and meeting him both in the United States and abroad, while denying any criminal involvement.

“I engaged in no wrongdoing.” “I observed nothing inappropriate,” Gates stated during the meeting. “Let me clarify, I did not spend any time with the victims, the women associated with him.”

He mentioned that he encountered Epstein in 2011 and maintained communication with him, even in light of concerns expressed at home.

“To her credit, she always maintained a certain skepticism regarding the Epstein matter,” Gates remarked, speaking of his former wife.

Gates acknowledged, “I did have affairs, one with a Russian bridge player who met me at bridge events, and one with a Russian nuclear physicist whom I encountered through business activities.”

Mila Antonova, one of the women, had previously been associated with Epstein’s initiatives to finance a bridge academy. Epstein cautioned in a 2013 email to Gates adviser Boris Nikolic about the risk of the relationships turning into overnight sensations.

“Bill risks transitioning from the wealthiest individual to the greatest hypocrite, while Melinda becomes a subject of ridicule, and pledges may vanish as a consequence,” Epstein stated.

Gates stated that he never set foot on Epstein’s private island and conveyed his regret regarding the association.

“I sincerely apologize to those who have been affected by the mistake I made,” he stated. “It certainly contradicts the values and objectives of the foundation.”

In the past, Gates mentioned to the Journal, “I believed it would assist me with global health philanthropy.” In reality, it did not succeed in achieving that. It was simply a significant error.