Bill Gates Admits to Affairs, Apologizes for Epstein Ties

Billionaire philanthropist acknowledges personal misconduct while defending his professional relationship with disgraced financier.

Published on Feb. 25, 2026

Got story updates? Submit your updates here. ›

In a town hall with his foundation's staff, Bill Gates admitted to having affairs with two Russian women while married to Melinda French Gates. He also apologized for his past ties to convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein, though he maintained he was not involved in anything "illicit" with Epstein. The revelations come amid renewed scrutiny of Gates' relationship with Epstein, including allegations from Epstein that Gates contracted an STI from "Russian girls" and sought Epstein's help to hide it from his then-wife.

Why it matters

The disclosure of Gates' personal misconduct and his association with Epstein, a known sex trafficker, raises questions about the Microsoft co-founder's judgment and the culture at his influential philanthropic organization. It also highlights the ongoing fallout from the Epstein scandal, which has ensnared numerous high-profile figures.

The details

In a previously scheduled town hall with Gates Foundation employees, the billionaire philanthropist acknowledged having two affairs with Russian women while married to Melinda French Gates. He also apologized for his past ties to Jeffrey Epstein, the disgraced financier who died in federal custody in 2019 after being accused of human trafficking. However, Gates maintained that he "did nothing illicit" and "saw nothing illicit" in his interactions with Epstein. The revelations come after the release of documents that included draft emails in which Epstein accused Gates of contracting an STI from "Russian girls" and seeking Epstein's help to hide it from his then-wife.

  • On February 24, 2026, Bill Gates addressed his foundation's staff in a previously scheduled town hall meeting.
  • Epstein died in federal custody in 2019 after being accused of human trafficking.

The players

Bill Gates

The co-founder of Microsoft and co-chair of the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, who has admitted to having affairs with two Russian women while married to Melinda French Gates.

Melinda French Gates

The former wife of Bill Gates, from whom he is now divorced.

Jeffrey Epstein

The convicted sex offender and disgraced financier who died in federal custody in 2019 after being accused of human trafficking.

Got photos? Submit your photos here. ›

What they’re saying

“I did nothing illicit. I saw nothing illicit”

— Bill Gates, Co-founder, Microsoft (The Wall Street Journal)

The takeaway

The revelations about Bill Gates' personal misconduct and his association with Jeffrey Epstein raise serious questions about the Microsoft co-founder's judgment and the culture at his influential philanthropic organization. As the fallout from the Epstein scandal continues to unfold, this incident underscores the need for greater accountability and transparency among the world's most powerful individuals and institutions.