Bill Gates Voices Regret Over Epstein Association as Ex-Wife Melinda French Gates Reflects on Marriage 'Muck'
Bill Gates has broken his silence to express profound regret over his association with the late financier Jeffrey Epstein, while his former wife Melinda French Gates has spoken candidly about the "muck" in their marriage and insisted the Microsoft founder must answer questions regarding his relationship with the convicted sex offender.
Gates Denies Allegations and Apologises for Epstein Association
In an interview with Australian television channel 9News, the 70-year-old billionaire addressed recent allegations that emerged from the Epstein files, which suggested he hid a sexually transmitted disease from his wife after contact with "Russian girls." Gates firmly denied these claims as "false" and "absolutely absurd." He revealed that Epstein had written an unsent email in 2013 alleging Gates tried to secretly give antibiotics to Melinda, which Gates dismissed as potentially an attempt at extortion or defamation.
"Every minute I spent with him, I regret, and I apologize that I did that," Gates stated, acknowledging his foolishness in engaging with Epstein. He explained that their meetings, which began in 2011, were focused on discussing potential investments in scientific ventures, with Epstein claiming he could attract wealthy donors to global health causes. "In retrospect, that was a dead end," Gates admitted, emphasising he never visited Epstein's private Caribbean island or had any relations with women involved.
Melinda French Gates Calls for Accountability and Reflects on Painful Times
Speaking on NPR's Wild Card podcast, Melinda French Gates, 61, made it clear she disapproved of her ex-husband's friendship with Epstein. She described the release of the Epstein files as bringing back "memories of some very, very painful times in my marriage." French Gates insisted that questions about Epstein's connections are for those involved, including her ex-husband, to answer, not her.
"I'm so happy to be away from all the muck that was there," she said, reflecting on their 27-year marriage that ended in divorce in 2021. When asked about the allegations against Gates, particularly the antibiotic claim, she expressed "just unbelievable sadness" and redirected her empathy towards Epstein's victims, stating, "What they went through is unimaginable."
Political Fallout and Broader Implications
The public airing of these personal struggles highlights the ongoing fallout from the Epstein scandal, more than six years after his death by suicide in 2019 while awaiting trial. Republican congresswoman Nancy Mace of South Carolina has supported French Gates's call for accountability, urging the House oversight committee to subpoena Bill Gates for questioning.
This development follows other high-profile figures, including Bill and Hillary Clinton, agreeing to testify before the committee, underscoring the widespread scrutiny of Epstein's connections. The case continues to resonate, with French Gates describing it as a "reckoning as a society" and emphasising the need for justice for the victims, many of whom were young girls at the time of the abuse.
As the full interview with Melinda French Gates is set for release by NPR, the episode serves as a stark reminder of the personal and public consequences intertwined with the Epstein saga, affecting even the most prominent individuals in global business and philanthropy.
