Just when it seemed like the Jeffrey Epstein saga couldn’t get any darker or more tangled, a new batch of emails has dragged some of the world’s most powerful names back into the spotlight.
This time, the focus has landed squarely on Microsoft founder Bill Gates, after claims surfaced suggesting Epstein tried to use private relationships and rumors as leverage.
The latest revelations paint an unsettling picture of how Epstein operated behind the scenes—mixing money, influence, and manipulation in ways that continue to shock years after his death.
Epstein’s “Cheap” Remark About Gates and a Russian Woman
One of the most talked-about accusations comes from a 2017 email Epstein sent to Gates’ advisor Boris Nikolic.
In it, Epstein claimed that Gates had once been involved with a Russian bridge player named Mila Antonova and suggested she was left financially struggling afterward.
Epstein wrote that Antonova supposedly told him she had very little money, couldn’t afford basic comforts like an air conditioner, and was even sleeping on a friend’s couch.
He went further, mocking Gates by saying the billionaire was “so cheap” that his former companion couldn’t even afford to travel for bridge tournaments.
Epstein also claimed he personally sent her money, positioning himself as someone stepping in to “help.”
The Alleged Connection Between Antonova, Nikolic, and Epstein
According to reports, Nikolic may have introduced Antonova to Epstein around 2013.
Epstein later paid for her to take a software coding class.
Years later, in 2017, Epstein reportedly contacted Gates demanding reimbursement for that expense—suggesting he was trying to turn past interactions into financial or personal pressure.
In 2023, Gates’ spokesperson acknowledged that Epstein had attempted to exploit a previous connection and unsuccessfully tried to threaten or “leverage” it for his own purposes.
Gates’ Marriage and the Timeline of the Alleged Affair
The accusations also carry extra weight because Antonova’s alleged relationship with Gates reportedly happened around 2010—when Gates was still married to Melinda French Gates.
Antonova is said to be nearly 30 years younger than Gates, and there have even been speculative links tying her social circles to other controversial Russian figures.
None of these claims have been independently proven, but the rumors have added fuel to an already intense public conversation.
Epstein’s Push to Recruit Gates Into a Massive Charity Project
Beyond personal gossip, Epstein’s interest in Gates appeared to extend into philanthropy.
Epstein reportedly wanted Gates to become an “anchor donor” in a multi-billion-dollar global charitable fund he planned to create—an effort some believe was designed to improve Epstein’s public image and expand his influence.
The two men reportedly met more than half a dozen times, and Gates once flew on Epstein’s private jet, notoriously nicknamed the “Lolita Express.”
Gates has since said he deeply regrets ever meeting Epstein, and his team insists the interactions were strictly tied to charitable discussions.
Ultimately, Gates declined to join Epstein’s proposed fund, and the project collapsed.
Bridge Tournaments and How Gates Allegedly Met Antonova
The story also includes an unusual setting: competitive bridge.
Gates is known to be a devoted bridge player, regularly attending North American Bridge Championship tournaments.
Reports suggest he first met Antonova at one of these events in Washington, D.C., during the summer of 2009.
Antonova has spoken in the past about how bridge helped her focus academically while growing up in Russia, and she remains known as an enthusiastic player.
A Second Bombshell: Epstein’s Shocking Claims About Gates’ Private Life
These new emails come during what has been described as a brutal week for Gates.
Another set of Epstein-written messages includes outrageous allegations that Gates had affairs with Russian women, contracted a sexually transmitted disease, and sought antibiotics in secret.
Epstein allegedly drafted these claims in emails to himself in July 2013, framing them as though written from the perspective of Boris Nikolic during a supposed resignation.
The draft included references to “sex with Russian girls,” “illicit trysts,” and even drug requests tied to bridge tournaments.
Gates has strongly and angrily denied these accusations, calling them completely false and absurd.
His spokesperson said the documents reflect Epstein’s frustration and his willingness to defame people when he couldn’t maintain relationships with them.
Melinda Gates Speaks Out and Distances Herself
As the headlines exploded again, Melinda French Gates addressed the Epstein issue during an appearance on NPR’s Wild Card podcast.
She expressed deep sympathy for Epstein’s victims, calling what happened to the young girls “beyond heartbreaking.”
At the same time, she made it clear she wants no part in answering questions about her ex-husband’s alleged behavior.
Melinda said she has moved on, describing herself as being in a “beautiful place” in life now, and insisted the remaining questions belong to Gates and others—not her.
When asked how the allegations made her feel, she responded with one word: sadness.
The DOJ Release That Sparked the New Storm
All of these claims emerged after the Department of Justice released hundreds of thousands of Epstein-related files, including new images of Epstein and Gates together.
The disclosures have reignited scrutiny over Gates’ past connections and the extent of Epstein’s attempts to insert himself into elite circles.
What Comes Next?
At this stage, the situation remains messy, deeply controversial, and still unfolding.
Gates continues to deny wrongdoing, while Epstein’s emails—written by a man known for manipulation—raise difficult questions about motive, truth, and what was real versus what may have been exaggerated for leverage.
With more documents still being reviewed and public pressure growing, the big question now is whether any further evidence will emerge—or whether this will remain another disturbing chapter in the long shadow Epstein left behind.
