Microsoft co-founder Bill Gates admitted during a private town hall meeting with Gates Foundation staff on February 24, 2026, that he had two extramarital affairs with Russian women while married to ex-wife Melinda French Gates, describing the relationships as personal mistakes but insisting they did not involve victims of Jeffrey Epstein's sex trafficking network.

Microsoft co-founder Bill Gates is a popular target for conspiracy theorists due to his support for vaccines and innovations in agriculture
Microsoft co-founder Bill Gates AFP

Gates, 70, expressed deep regret over his association with the late financier and convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein, calling the meetings a "huge mistake" that negatively impacted the foundation's reputation and work. He apologized to employees for drawing them into scrutiny and reaffirmed that he "did nothing illicit" and "saw nothing illicit" during his interactions with Epstein.

"I did have affairs, one with a Russian bridge player who met me at bridge events, and one with a Russian nuclear physicist who I met through business activities," Gates said, according to a recording reviewed by The Wall Street Journal and corroborated by multiple outlets including Reuters, AFP, and Forbes. He emphasized that Epstein later learned of the relationships but maintained the women were not connected to Epstein's alleged abuse of underage girls.

The admissions came amid renewed attention following recent document releases by the U.S. Department of Justice related to Epstein's case. Draft emails from Epstein in 2013 alleged Gates engaged in extramarital affairs and referenced other unsubstantiated claims, which Gates' representatives have repeatedly called "absolutely absurd and completely false," attributing them to Epstein's attempts at leverage or extortion.

Gates told staff he met Epstein several times primarily to discuss philanthropy, never stayed overnight at Epstein's properties, never visited his private island, and never spent time with Epstein's victims. He described regretting every minute spent with Epstein and bringing foundation executives to some meetings.

A Gates Foundation spokesperson confirmed in a statement to Reuters on February 24 that Gates "took responsibility for his actions" during the town hall and addressed the Epstein ties directly. The spokesperson declined further comment beyond the apology and regret expressed.

The revelations follow Gates' 2021 divorce from Melinda French Gates, who cited his Epstein meetings among factors contributing to the marriage's breakdown. Melinda had warned Bill against continued contact as early as 2013, according to prior reports. Epstein died by suicide in a New York jail in 2019 while awaiting trial on federal sex trafficking charges.

Gates has long maintained his Epstein interactions were limited to fundraising discussions for global health initiatives. He previously described the association as a "huge mistake" in interviews but had not publicly detailed the personal affairs until the town hall. The admissions align with 2023 reports that Epstein attempted to extort Gates over an alleged affair with a Russian bridge player, Mila Antonova, whom Gates met in 2010.

No criminal charges have been filed against Gates related to Epstein, and he has not been accused of participating in Epstein's crimes. The U.S. Department of Justice documents released in early 2026, including photos with redacted faces and draft emails, renewed public speculation but contained no new evidence implicating Gates in wrongdoing.

Reactions to the town hall comments were swift. Philanthropy observers noted the foundation's need to protect its mission-focused reputation amid donor scrutiny. Some critics questioned the timing of the disclosures, while supporters viewed Gates' candor as accountability. The Gates Foundation, focused on global health, poverty reduction, and education, continues operations unaffected, with billions committed to initiatives like vaccine development and climate efforts.

Gates has stepped back from day-to-day Microsoft involvement since 2020 but remains one of the world's wealthiest individuals and most influential philanthropists. His foundation has distributed hundreds of billions in grants since its inception.

The latest statements underscore Gates' efforts to address lingering Epstein-related questions head-on while separating personal failings from any criminal conduct. As the foundation navigates its post-divorce structure and Gates continues public appearances, the admissions may close one chapter of scrutiny but highlight the lasting impact of his Epstein association.