Bill Gates Admits to Affair with Two Russian Women, Says This

Jakarta, CNBC Indonesia - Microsoft founder, Bill Gates, has admitted to making a significant error in judgment by associating with Jeffrey Epstein. In a meeting with staff at his charitable foundation, Gates also revealed having had an affair with two Russian women, but firmly denied any involvement in the crimes committed by the disgraced financier.

The name of one of the world’s richest men appeared among a list of prominent figures in documents released by the U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ). The documents revealed close friendships, questionable financial dealings, and private photos involving Epstein, a convicted sex offender.

So, what was his confession?

In a town hall meeting on Tuesday local time with staff at the Gates Foundation, Gates expressed his regret for his relationship with Epstein, which he said had affected the work of his philanthropic organization. A recording of the meeting has been reviewed and first reported by The Wall Street Journal.

“It was a huge mistake to spend time with Epstein and also to bring Gates Foundation executives into meetings with Epstein,” Gates said during the meeting, as also quoted by AFP.

The 70-year-old apologized publicly to colleagues and staff who had been caught up in the scandal. He realized that his past decisions had had a negative impact on those around him.

“I apologize to others who were caught up in this because of my mistake,” he said.

In a draft email included in the DOJ’s released documents, Epstein claimed that Gates was involved in extramarital affairs. Epstein wrote that his relationship with Gates ranged from helping Bill get drugs to deal with the consequences of having sex with Russian girls, to facilitating meetings with married women.

Gates responded to the allegations by admitting to having had affairs in the past. He confirmed that he had been romantically involved with two Russian women he met in the context of his hobbies and work.

“I did have an affair, one with a Russian bridge player who met me at a bridge event, and one with a Russian nuclear physicist who I met through business activities,” Gates said.

However, Gates strongly denied any involvement with Epstein’s victims. Epstein died in a New York jail cell in 2019 while awaiting trial on charges of sex trafficking of underage girls.

“I didn’t do anything illegal. I didn’t see anything illegal,” Gates said in the meeting.

The tech mogul explained that his relationship with Epstein began in 2011, three years after Epstein pleaded guilty to charges of soliciting a minor for prostitution.

Gates said he was aware of the 18-month travel restriction imposed on Epstein, but he admitted that he did not investigate the financier’s background further. He also acknowledged that his ex-wife, Melinda, had expressed concerns about Epstein in 2013, but Gates continued the relationship for at least another year.

“Knowing what I know now, it makes it, you know, a hundred times worse in terms of not only his past crimes, but now it’s clear that there was ongoing bad behavior,” Gates told his staff.

The Gates Foundation said that Gates discussed the Epstein case and other issues in the town hall, which is held twice a year. The foundation emphasized that Gates was open in addressing internal company concerns.

“Bill spoke candidly, answered several questions in detail, and took responsibility for his actions,” the Gates Foundation said in a statement to AFP.

(tps/sef)