Microsoft co-founder Bill Gates apologized to Gates Foundation staff yesterday for his past association with Jeffrey Epstein, acknowledging that the ties had overshadowed the philanthropic organization's work.

During a town hall meeting on Tuesday, Gates described spending time with Epstein as a "huge mistake" and expressed regret for bringing foundation executives to some of those meetings. "I apologize to other people who are drawn into this because of the mistake that I made," he said, according to people familiar with the discussion and recordings reviewed by media outlets. Gates insisted he "did nothing illicit" and "saw nothing illicit," adding, "To be clear, I never spent any time with victims, the women around him."

The apology comes amid the recent release of millions of pages of Epstein documents by the U.S. Department of Justice under the Epstein Transparency Act passed in late 2025. The files detail Gates' repeated meetings with Epstein starting in 2011, three years after Epstein's conviction on state charges of soliciting a minor for prostitution in Florida, for which he served 13 months of an 18-month sentence. Gates acknowledged knowing about Epstein's "18-month thing" but admitted he failed to properly vet the financier, who pitched ideas for expanding Gates' philanthropic efforts in global health.

Gates also disclosed two extramarital affairs during the meeting: one with a Russian bridge player, Mila Antonova, whom he met at bridge events, and another with a Russian nuclear physicist encountered through business activities. Epstein learned of the Antonova affair and attempted to leverage it to pressure Gates into supporting a multibillion-dollar charity fund, according to the documents. Gates denied any connection between the affairs and Epstein's victims or criminal activities.

A Gates Foundation spokesperson confirmed that Gates "spoke candidly, addressing several questions in detail, and took responsibility for his actions." The foundation emphasized that no funding or collaboration resulted from the Epstein interactions and expressed regret over any staff involvement. Gates noted that the relationship contradicted the foundation's values, as its reputationally sensitive work in global health relies on partnerships with governments and organizations.

Gates' ex-wife, Melinda French Gates, has previously cited his Epstein meetings as a factor in their 2021 divorce, stating she made her disapproval clear. Gates has expressed prior regret over the association, but this marks a direct address to foundation employees.

The Microsoft billionaire met Epstein multiple times between 2011 and 2014 in locations including New York, Florida, and Europe, including a flight on Epstein's private jet. He denied visiting Epstein's private island or staying overnight at his properties, and rejected a document allegation involving a sexually transmitted infection.

The Gates Foundation, one of the world's largest private philanthropies, continues its operations focused on health, poverty, and education initiatives worldwide.