Bill Gates confesses that spending time with Jeffrey Epstein played a role in his divorce from Melinda

Bill Gates, the Microsoft co-founder and global philanthropist, has admitted that his association with Jeffrey Epstein played a role in the dissolution of his 27-year marriage to Melinda French Gates.

Speaking candidly to The Wall Street Journal and other outlets, Gates referred to his involvement with the convicted sex offender as "a huge mistake."

A Misguided Connection with Epstein

"In retrospect, I was foolish to spend any time with him," Gates told The Wall Street Journal. The billionaire explained that his initial motivation for meeting Epstein was to discuss potential collaborations in global health philanthropy, but he now acknowledges that the association failed to deliver any meaningful outcomes. "I think I was quite stupid," he admitted.

Gates' relationship with Epstein has come under scrutiny not just for its poor judgment but also for its role in a controversial episode in 2017.

According to reports, Epstein allegedly tried to use his knowledge of Gates' affair with Russian bridge player Mila Antonova to pressure him into joining a multibillion-dollar charitable fund backed by JPMorgan Chase. Epstein had reportedly known Antonova since 2013 and financed her enrollment in a software coding school.

Following Epstein's death by suicide in 2019 while awaiting trial on sex trafficking charges, Gates said he became more cautious about building connections.

Melinda Gates' Perspective on the Marriage's Downfall

Melinda French Gates has openly discussed the impact of Epstein's association on their marriage. In a 2022 interview with CBS Mornings, Melinda stated, "I did not like that he had meetings with Jeffrey Epstein, no. I made that clear to him." She recounted her own brief meeting with Epstein, calling him "abhorrent" and "evil personified."

This revelation added to other challenges in the marriage, ultimately leading to their high-profile divorce in 2021. Gates later called the divorce "the mistake he regrets most" in an interview with The Times of London, acknowledging it was "miserable" for both of them for at least two years.

Moving Forward: A New Chapter for Both

Despite their separation, the Gateses have maintained a cordial relationship, co-parenting their three children: Jennifer, 28, Rory, 25, and Phoebe, 22. Both have since moved on romantically, with Melinda dating entrepreneur Philip Vaughn and Gates reportedly in a relationship with Paula Hurd.

The fallout from Gates' ties to Epstein remains a cautionary tale about the unintended consequences of personal and professional decisions, even for one of the world's most influential figures.