During a recent staff meeting, Bill Gates discussed his past relationship with Jeffrey Epstein, revealing the timeline of their interaction. Gates recounted that their first meeting occurred in 2011, after Epstein had already pleaded guilty to soliciting a minor for prostitution. He acknowledged that he was aware of Epstein’s travel limitations but admitted he did not thoroughly investigate Epstein’s background.
Details of the Epstein Relationship
Gates continued his meetings with Epstein until 2014 and mentioned they shared some time abroad. He emphasized that he never stayed overnight at Epstein’s residence or visited his private island. Despite his ex-wife’s concerns about the relationship, Gates maintained his connections to Epstein, saying, “To give her credit, she was always kind of skeptical about the Epstein thing.”
Epstein’s Influence
According to Gates, Epstein claimed to have links with other billionaires and offered to assist in fundraising for the charitable initiatives Gates was involved in. This relationship took place amid significant scrutiny surrounding Epstein’s controversial past.
Foundation Town Hall Insights
A spokesperson for the Gates Foundation clarified that this discussion was part of a scheduled town hall meeting, which Gates holds biannually with employees. During this session, Gates addressed various topics, including the recent release of Epstein files and the foundation’s ongoing work in artificial intelligence and global health.
Gates spoke frankly and took responsibility for his decisions during the gathering. He co-founded the philanthropic organization with his former wife, Melinda French Gates, who has expressed that the recent Epstein files’ release brings back “painful times” from their marriage. The couple divorced in 2021 after 27 years together.
