Bill Gates has discussed his contentious past association with the late Jeffrey Epstein, confessing that it was “a massive error” to link himself to the convicted child sexual offender.
“Looking back, I was naive to dedicate any time to him,” the Microsoft co-founder told the Wall Street Journal during an interview. “I believe I was rather foolish. I thought it might advance my global health philanthropy. In truth, it did not. It was merely a massive error.”
Gates additionally recognized that he had grown cautious about forming new relationships following Epstein’s suicide in 2019 while he awaited trial on charges of sex trafficking and federal conspiracy. “I believe I was rather foolish. I thought it might advance my global health philanthropy. In truth, it did not. It was merely a massive error,” he reiterated.
As reported by the Wall Street Journal, Epstein had menaced to unveil Gates’ supposed affair with Russian bridge player Mila Antonova in 2017 after Gates opted not to participate in Epstein’s multi-billion dollar charitable fund with JPMorgan Chase. Epstein had been acquainted with Antonova since 2013 and had funded her enrollment in a software coding academy.
The billionaire philanthropist, who was wed to Melinda Gates from 1994 to 2021, acknowledged that he had been involved with Antonova for several years. In March 2022, Melinda, 60, asserted that Epstein contributed to the dissolution of her marriage with Bill. She mentioned during an appearance on CBS Mornings that she left the 27-year union “for numerous reasons,” including her ex-husband’s ties with Epstein. “I was not fond of his meetings with Jeffrey Epstein, no. I made that clear to him,” she recalled, noting that she met Epstein once, but “regretted it the moment I stepped through the door.”
Melinda further portrayed Epstein as “detestable” and “the epitome of evil,” expressing her sorrow for the women impacted by his actions. Bill, in a distinct interview with The Times of London, stated that his divorce from Melinda was the “regret” he holds dearest. “There are others but none are significant,” he mentioned. “The divorce was distressing for me and Melinda for at least two years.”
Despite their marriage’s conclusion, Bill and Melinda have preserved a cordial relationship and share three adult children: Jennifer, 28, Rory, 25, and Phoebe, 22. Melinda has since progressed in her life with entrepreneur Philip Vaughn, while Bill is currently in a relationship with Paula Hurd.