Microsoft co-founder Bill Gates has publicly expressed regret over his association with convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein, stating that he is sorry for every minute spent in Epstein’s company.
The apology comes in the wake of the recent release of hundreds of thousands of documents by the United States Department of Justice related to Epstein. Among these documents is a draft email in which Epstein claimed that Gates had engaged in extramarital relations. The email alleges that Gates was involved in a physical relationship with a Russian woman, which, according to Epstein, caused him to fall ill. Epstein also claimed that Gates provided him with medication to recover, ostensibly so that he could pursue relationships with other married women.
Bill Gates has firmly denied all these claims. Speaking to Australian news outlet 9News, he said,
“I am sorry and I apologise for every minute I spent with him. That email was never sent to anyone and is false. I do not know what he intended by it. Was he trying to attack me in some way?”
Gates further clarified the nature of his interactions with Epstein, stating that their first contact was in 2011, and over the following three years, he attended several dinners hosted by Epstein. However, Gates emphasised that he never visited Epstein’s private Caribbean island and was never involved in any romantic or sexual relationships with women associated with Epstein.
A spokesperson for Gates also confirmed these statements, reiterating that Gates had no knowledge of the allegations or Epstein’s intentions and categorically denied any wrongdoing.
To summarise the timeline of Gates’ interactions with Epstein, the key events are outlined below:
| Year(s) | Event | Details |
|---|---|---|
| 2011 | First contact | Gates meets Epstein for the first time |
| 2011–2014 | Dinner meetings | Gates attends multiple dinners hosted by Epstein |
| Throughout | Caribbean island visits | Gates never visited Epstein’s private island |
| Throughout | Alleged relationships | Gates denies all claims of extramarital affairs |
Legal analysts and media commentators have noted that Gates’ public clarification aims to distinguish his professional and personal conduct from Epstein’s criminal activities. While he regrets spending time with Epstein, Gates maintains that he was never involved in any illegal or immoral acts.
In essence, Gates’ apology underscores the risks public figures face in associating with controversial individuals, even in purely social or professional contexts, while firmly asserting his innocence in any criminal matter.
