Bill Gates has said his association with the late financier Jeffrey Epstein was a “huge mistake”, as he addressed staff at his philanthropic foundation following renewed scrutiny over their relationship.
Speaking at a staff meeting on Tuesday, Gates said he regretted meeting Epstein and involving colleagues from the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation in discussions with him.
“It was a huge mistake to spend time with Epstein,” he said, according to reports of the meeting. “I apologise to other people who are drawn into this because of the mistake that I made.”
Join our WhatsApp ChannelThe comments come after documents released by the United States Department of Justice detailed links between Epstein and several high-profile figures, including references to Gates.
In the documents, Epstein alleged that Gates had engaged in extramarital relationships. At the meeting, the 70-year-old acknowledged having had two affairs, including with women from Russia, but denied any involvement in Epstein’s criminal activities.
“I did nothing illicit. I saw nothing illicit,” he said.
Epstein died in a New York jail in 2019 while awaiting trial on charges of sex trafficking minors.
Gates said his relationship with Epstein began in 2011, several years after the financier had pleaded guilty to soliciting a minor. He added that, despite concerns raised at the time, he continued contact with Epstein for a period.
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“Knowing what I know now makes it… a hundred times worse,” he told staff, referring to Epstein’s past crimes and subsequent revelations.
The Gates Foundation has not publicly commented on the remarks.
Prosper Okoye is a Correspondent and Research Writer at Prime Business Africa, a Nigerian journalist with experience in development reporting, public affairs, and policy-focused storytelling across Africa
