On February 24, 2026, Bill Gates spoke during a Gates Foundation town hall meeting and acknowledged that he had two extramarital affairs with Russian women while married to Melinda French Gates. He stated that Jeffrey Epstein later became aware of the relationships.
Gates said the affairs were consensual and did not involve any of Epstein’s victims. During the meeting, he stated, “I did nothing illicit. I saw nothing illicit.”
Gates also addressed his past meetings with Epstein, which occurred after Epstein’s 2008 conviction for soliciting a minor for prostitution. Epstein was later arrested in July 2019 on federal sex trafficking charges and died in custody in August 2019 while awaiting trial.
Gates said he regretted meeting with Epstein and acknowledged that the association had brought scrutiny. He stated that he was not involved in criminal conduct related to Epstein.
The town hall included employee questions and discussion of internal matters at the foundation. No new allegations were introduced during the event.
