Bill Gates has apologized to staff at the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation over his past association with Jeffrey Epstein. He called the connection a “mistake” during a private town hall meeting with employees.
According to reports, Gates told staff he was sorry for the impact of his past meetings with Epstein. He said his interactions were focused on philanthropy and fundraising and insisted he was not involved in any illegal activity.
During the meeting, Gates also acknowledged having two past affairs with Russian women. He said Epstein later learned about the relationships but denied any link between those personal matters and Epstein’s criminal activities.
A foundation spokesperson confirmed that Gates took responsibility for his actions and answered staff questions openly. The organization said there was no business partnership or personal friendship between Gates and Epstein beyond discussions related to charitable work.
The apology comes after the U.S. Department of Justice released millions of Epstein-related documents in January 2026. The release renewed public attention on individuals who had contact with Epstein before his arrest.
Gates has previously said he regrets meeting Epstein and described the decision as poor judgment. He has also denied claims that he was involved in Epstein’s crimes or had knowledge of illegal activities.
The issue has caused internal concern at the foundation, with some staff questioning Gates’ past association. The town hall meeting was held to address those concerns and provide transparency.
Despite the renewed scrutiny, Gates has not been charged with any crimes related to Epstein. He continues to serve as co-chair of the foundation, which focuses on global health, poverty reduction, and humanitarian work.
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