When high-profile court documents get released, they often reopen old controversies and pull famous figures back into the spotlight.
That’s exactly what’s happening now, as billionaire Microsoft founder Bill Gates is once again being linked to disgraced sex trafficker Jeffrey Epstein through newly published files.
The fresh attention has pushed Gates to speak publicly, offering regret over his past association while strongly denying any involvement in Epstein’s criminal behavior.
Bill Gates Breaks His Silence
Bill Gates, one of the richest men in the world, has now addressed the renewed allegations tied to Epstein.
In an interview with Australia’s Nine News, Gates said he deeply regrets spending time with Epstein at all.
He explained that, at the time, the connection was framed around philanthropy.
According to Gates, Epstein presented himself as someone with access to wealthy networks who could potentially help raise money for global health causes.
Looking back, Gates admitted he now sees that decision as a serious mistake.
“I Was Foolish… I Apologise”
Gates didn’t hold back in calling his past interactions with Epstein a failure of judgment.
He said that in hindsight, meeting Epstein was “a dead end,” and he described himself as “foolish” for allowing any relationship to exist.
He emphasized that he regrets “every minute” he spent with Epstein and offered an apology for ever engaging with him socially, even in limited settings like dinners.
Denying Any Sexual Misconduct
While expressing regret, Gates also firmly rejected any suggestion that his connection with Epstein involved sexual wrongdoing.
He insisted that he never visited Epstein’s private island, never met any women through him, and was only present at dinner gatherings.
Gates argued that as more information becomes public, it will become clearer that his involvement was limited and unrelated to Epstein’s crimes.
The Emails Stirring Fresh Controversy
The newly released documents include a strange and damaging email Epstein reportedly wrote to himself in 2013.
The email was never sent, but it contains claims suggesting Gates sought Epstein’s advice about an STD and allegedly asked for antibiotics to secretly give to his then-wife, Melinda Gates.
Gates dismissed the email outright, calling it false and saying he has no idea what Epstein’s intentions were in writing something like that.
Epstein’s Frustration Over Losing Gates
Another part of the documents shows Epstein expressing anger and disappointment when Gates decided to cut ties.
Epstein wrote that he was “dismayed beyond comprehension” that Gates would disregard the friendship they had developed over several years.
These writings appear to reflect Epstein’s obsession with maintaining connections to influential people, even after his reputation had become toxic.
Melinda Gates Speaks Out
Melinda Gates, who divorced Bill Gates in 2021, has also weighed in as the documents reignite public scrutiny.
Speaking on NPR’s Wild Card podcast, she said the revelations are heartbreaking, especially for the victims.
She described the situation as part of a broader societal reckoning, stressing that no young girl should ever have been subjected to what Epstein inflicted.
Painful Memories From the Marriage
Melinda admitted that the Epstein details are personally difficult for her to revisit.
She said reading about girls the same age her daughters once were brings back painful memories from her marriage.
Although she has not shared every detail, she previously cited Gates’ affairs and his association with Epstein as contributing factors in their divorce.
The Divorce and Growing Concerns
Bill and Melinda Gates were married from 1994 until 2021, and reports suggest Melinda began preparing for the separation years earlier.
According to The Wall Street Journal, she hired lawyers in 2019 after becoming increasingly concerned about Gates’ repeated meetings with Epstein and the possibility of business-related dealings.
Those meetings reportedly contradicted earlier public denials from Gates about the extent of the relationship.
What’s Next?
As more Epstein-related documents continue to surface, public pressure is growing on everyone mentioned to explain their ties.
Gates has offered regret and an apology, but the renewed scrutiny raises broader questions about why so many powerful figures remained connected to Epstein for so long.
For now, Gates insists his involvement was a mistake of judgment—not misconduct—but the unfolding release of files suggests the conversation is far from over.
