The co-founder of Microsoft, Bill Gates, has come forward about his tainted association with a convicted child sex offender, Jeffrey Epstein, whom he called a “huge mistake.” Speaking to the Wall Street Journal, Gates said, “In retrospect, I was foolish to spend any time with him. I think I was quite stupid. I thought it would help me with global health philanthropy. It failed to do that. It was just a huge mistake.”
Apparently, he met Epstein numerous times even after his 2008 conviction. According to him, there was no business or personal tie between them, however, court records reveal Gates visited Epstein’s mansion multiple times. He quit his connection with Epstein in 2014.
According to previous reports, during the interview with CNN, he considered meeting Epstein a “mistake.” He regrets association with him, which ultimately led to loss of jobs.
Epstein’s Threat and Allegations
New evidence has emerged regarding Epstein’s attempts to blackmail Gates using his acquired knowledge. In 2017, Epstein allegedly threatened to expose Gates’ alleged affair with Russian bridge player Mila Antonova if Gates were not willing to co-found the multi-billion dollar charitable fund alongside JPMorgan Chase. These facts basically depict how Epstein used his knowledge of having known Antonova since 2013 and financing her education in software coding to blackmail Gates.
According to him, “I definitely became wary of building more connections” in his relationship after Epstein died while awaiting trial for charges of sex trafficking and conspiracy, in 2019.
Implications on His Personal Life
The Epstein matter spilled over and affected his private life. As a result, his ex-wife, Melinda Gates, also cited Epstein’s name as the reason for ending their 27-year marriage. Speaking about her dislike for Epstein, in 2022, Melinda Gates told CBS Mornings she didn’t like that he was having meetings with Jeffrey Epstein. “I made that clear to him,” she added. Reminiscing about her meeting with Epstein, she described him as “abhorrent” and “evil personified.”
Speaking at CNN’s Anderson Cooper, “Melinda is a great person, and that partnership we had coming to an end is a source of great personal sadness.” Although the couple is officially separated, both parents continue to live together to parent their three children: Jennifer, Rory, and Phoebe, who have entered adulthood.
Epstein’s Death and Legacy
Jeffrey Epstein is a financier who has been accused of sex trafficking, rape, and the abuse of minors. He died in 2019 through suicide, while in custody. His death and controversies continue to reverberate globally, affecting high-profile figures like Gates and others.
