Bill Gates admits affairs with multiple Russian women, says sorry over 'Epstein Files'

Microsoft co-founder Bill Gates has formally apologized for his past association with convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein. During a recent internal town hall meeting on February 25, Gates took full responsibility for his actions, admitting that spending time with Epstein and involving Foundation executives in those meetings was a "huge mistake." This apology follows a period of intense public scrutiny after the recent release of Department of Justice records, commonly referred to as the "Epstein Files," which detailed multiple interactions between the tech billionaire and the late financier.

The newly surfaced documents reignited significant controversy, leading Gates to withdraw from his scheduled keynote address at the India AI Impact Summit 2026 just days ago to avoid distracting from the event. During the staff meeting, Gates sought to clear the air regarding specific allegations within the files. He acknowledged having had two affairs with Russian women—a bridge player and a nuclear physicist—but emphasized that these relationships were entirely separate from Epstein's criminal activities and did not involve any of his victims.

Despite the personal admissions, Gates was firm in distancing himself from any illegal conduct. "I did nothing illicit. I saw nothing illicit," he reportedly told employees, clarifying that he never spent time with the women or victims associated with Epstein. He admitted that his association helped Epstein burnish his reputation, an outcome he now deeply regrets. The Foundation spokesperson noted that Gates spoke openly to address the concerns of staff and protect the organization's reputation-sensitive work.