Epstein's Explosive Email Accusations Against Bill Gates Surface
Disgraced financier Jeffrey Epstein accused Microsoft founder Bill Gates of being 'so cheap' in a 2017 email, alleging that Gates left his Russian former mistress 'broke' and sleeping on a friend's couch. The email, written to Gates's science advisor Boris Nikolic, concerned Russian bridge player Mila Antonova, who reportedly dated Gates around 2010.
Details of Epstein's Claims in the 2017 Email
Epstein claimed in the correspondence that Antonova 'had little money, couldn't afford [an] air conditioner, was living on a friend's couch. Really needed money.' He stated he 'sent her some' financial assistance himself. Epstein further wrote to Nikolic: 'Your friend Bill is nuts. His former girl can't afford air con, can't afford to travel to bridge.'
The email also noted that Antonova mentioned Sharon Osbourne 'used to arrange' things for her and that an unnamed lawyer 'helped her with papers.' Epstein concluded this section by saying, 'She is ok, but broke,' and added pointedly: 'That story would take Trump off the front pages.'
Background of the Relationships and Further Demands
Epstein wrapped up the email with another jab at Gates: 'The richest man in the world is so cheap, his former bridge girl and toy lives on a friend's sofa. WOWO.' It was revealed that Nikolic had introduced Antonova to Epstein in 2013, with Epstein paying for her to attend a software coding class. In 2017, Epstein subsequently emailed Gates demanding reimbursement for this expense.
A Gates spokesperson admitted in 2023 that Epstein had 'tried unsuccessfully to leverage a past relationship' to threaten Gates. At the time of his brief involvement with Antonova, who is nearly 30 years his junior, Gates was still married to his former wife, Melinda. Antonova has also been linked to notorious Kremlin spy Anna Chapman.
Epstein's Broader Agenda and Gates's Association
Epstein, a registered sex offender, reportedly wanted Gates to be an 'anchor donor' in a multi-billion dollar global charitable fund he planned to establish. This fund was allegedly intended to camouflage his sordid private life and increase his influence. The pair had more than half a dozen meetings, and Gates once flew on Epstein's private jet, infamously known as the 'Lolita Express'.
Gates has since expressed regret over meeting with Epstein, who apparently died by suicide in jail in 2019 while awaiting trial on sex trafficking charges. A Gates spokeswoman has insisted any meetings were 'solely for philanthropic purposes.' Gates ultimately declined to join Epstein's charitable fund, and the project did not proceed.
Origin of the Gates-Antonova Connection
The then 53-year-old Gates first met Antonova at the North American Bridge Championship tournament in Washington DC in the summer of 2009. Gates is a well-known bridge devotee and regular attendee at these tournaments. Antonova, now believed to be 42, is also a keen player and has claimed the card game helped her focus on her studies.
Recent DOJ Document Drops Reveal Further Lurid Allegations
The revelations form part of a brutal week for Gates, following a Friday document release by the Department of Justice. Among hundreds of thousands of Epstein files published were new, undated images of Gates and Epstein together in various locations.
Shocking 2013 Email Claims
Epstein sent himself a lengthy email on July 18, 2013, apparently drafted in the voice of Gates's advisor Boris Nikolic. The email made shocking claims, including that Gates had slept with Russian girls, contracted a sexually-transmitted disease, and asked for antibiotics to slip to his then-wife Melinda.
The email, offering Nikolic's resignation, referenced 'sex with Russian girls', 'illicit trysts with married women', and 'Adderall for bridge tournaments'. It stated: 'During the past few weeks I have been caught up in a severe marital dispute between Melinda and Bill.'
It further alleged: 'From helping Bill to get drugs, in order to deal with consequences of sex with russian girls , to facilictating [sic] his illicit trysts, with married women, to being asked to provide adderall fro [sic] bridge toumamnts [sic].' The message also lashed out at Gates for allegedly ending his friendship with Nikolic, adding: 'TO add insult to the injury you them [sic] implore me to please delete the emails regarding your std, your request that I provide you antibiotics that you can surreptitiously give to Melinda and the description of your penis.'
Gates's and Melinda's Responses
Gates has angrily denied these allegations. His spokesperson stated: 'These claims are absolutely absurd and completely false. The only thing these documents demonstrate is Epstein's frustration that he did not have an ongoing relationship with Gates and the lengths he would go to entrap and defame.'
Melinda Gates, who divorced Bill in 2021 after 27 years of marriage, cited his affairs and friendship with Epstein as reasons for the split. In a recent podcast appearance, she expressed 'unbelievable sadness' over the latest details. She said: 'I think we're having a reckoning as a society, right? No girl should ever be put in the situation that they were put in by Epstein.'
She added that the revelations bring back 'memories of some very, very painful times in my marriage,' but stated she has 'purposely pushed it away and I moved on.' Melinda concluded: 'Those questions are for those people and even my ex-husband. They need to answer those questions, not me. And I am so happy to be away from all the muck.'
Reports indicate Melinda hired lawyers to plan the divorce in 2019 after becoming concerned about Gates's alleged business dealings with Epstein, contradicting Gates's earlier public denials about the extent of their meetings. The Daily Mail has reached out to Gates for further comment on the ongoing allegations.
