Bill Gates has apologised for spending time with Jeffrey Epstein, saying he regrets “every minute” of the association. The Microsoft co-founder denied allegations contained in newly released draft emails and said his meetings with Epstein were a mistake.
The comments follow the US Department of Justice’s release of nearly three million additional pages of Epstein-related documents. The files have renewed attention on individuals previously linked to the late financier.
Bill Gates attends the 2026 Australian Open in Melbourne, Australia, January 31, 2026. He recently addressed his past association with Jeffrey Epstein during an interview in Australia. [ABC News]
Gates Issues Public Apology in Australian Interview
Gates spoke in an interview with 9News Australia, broadcast on Wednesday. He addressed his past interactions with Epstein and rejected allegations contained in draft correspondence.
“Every minute I spent with him, I regret, and I apologise,” Gates said. He described his decision to meet Epstein as foolish and misguided.
The interview marked his first public response since the latest document release. Gates was in Australia during the interview, partly for personal travel and partly for foundation work.
He said his interactions with Epstein began in 2011. That was three years after Epstein’s 2008 conviction in Florida for soliciting prostitution from a minor.
Draft Emails Contain Allegations Gates Calls False
The new tranche of documents includes unsent draft emails written by Epstein in 2013. In one draft, Epstein made claims about Gates’ personal conduct.
Gates rejected the allegations and questioned Epstein’s motives. “Apparently, Jeffrey wrote an email to himself. That email was never sent. The email is false,” he said.
He added that he did not understand why the draft was written. Gates asked whether Epstein had been trying to attack or damage him.
A spokesperson for Gates said the claims were “absolutely absurd and completely false.” The spokesperson said the documents show Epstein’s frustration over not maintaining an ongoing relationship with Gates.
Authorities have not accused Gates of any crime. Officials have also stated that appearing in the documents does not indicate wrongdoing.
Meetings Focused on Philanthropy, Gates Says
Gates said his meetings with Epstein took place over about three years. He described them as dinner gatherings where philanthropy was discussed.
According to Gates, Epstein claimed he could introduce wealthy individuals willing to fund global health initiatives. Gates said he believed those introductions could benefit the Gates Foundation.
“The focus was always that he knew a lot of very rich people,” Gates said. He added that Epstein said he could encourage them to donate to global health causes.
However, Gates said the plan never materialised. “In retrospect, that was a dead end,” he said.
He also stated that he never travelled to Epstein’s private island. Gates denied meeting any women in connection with Epstein.
Melinda French Gates Responds to Document Release
Melinda French Gates addressed the issue in an interview with NPR’s Wild Card podcast. Excerpts from the interview were released ahead of its broadcast.
Melinda French Gates said the latest release of Epstein-related documents brought back painful memories from her marriage. [ABC News]
She said the newly released documents brought back painful memories from her marriage. The couple finalized their divorce in 2021.
“Whatever questions remain there… those questions are for those people and for even my ex-husband,” she said. She added that those individuals need to answer such questions themselves.
French Gates has previously stated that her former husband’s association with Epstein contributed to her decision to divorce. She did not provide further detail in the excerpted remarks.
Broader Context of the DOJ File Release
The Department of Justice released nearly three million pages related to Epstein. The files include correspondence, records, and investigative materials.
Epstein died in a New York jail in 2019 while awaiting trial on federal sex trafficking charges. His death was ruled a suicide.
Jeffrey Epstein died in 2019 while awaiting trial on federal sex trafficking charges in New York. [The New York Times]
The DOJ has stated that inclusion in the documents does not imply criminal conduct. No charges have been brought against any of the prominent figures mentioned in the latest release.
Officials have also removed documents that mistakenly identified victims. The release is part of an ongoing effort to provide transparency in the case.
Public Scrutiny Continues After Document Disclosure
The renewed attention has led to public discussion about past associations with Epstein. Several prominent individuals named in the files have denied any involvement in criminal activity.
Gates said that as more information becomes public, it will clarify the nature of his contact with Epstein. He maintained that his meetings had no connection to any illegal behaviour.
“It’s factually true that I was only at dinners,” Gates said. He repeated that he never visited Epstein’s island.
Gates also stated that he was “one of many people who regret ever knowing him.” He described his association with Epstein as a serious mistake.
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Gates in Australia for Foundation Work
At the time of the interview, Gates was in Australia partly on behalf of the Gates Foundation. The foundation supports global health, poverty reduction, and gender equality initiatives.
Gates said his past meetings with Epstein were connected to fundraising efforts for such programmes. However, he acknowledged that the association was misguided.
The renewed release of documents has placed his past decisions under fresh scrutiny. Still, no legal action has been taken against him.
Gates’ remarks focused on regret and denial of wrongdoing. He maintained that while meeting Epstein was an error in judgment, it did not involve criminal conduct.
As federal authorities continue reviewing and disclosing documents, attention remains on those mentioned in the records. For now, Gates has publicly apologised for the association and denied the allegations contained in the draft emails.
FAQs
- What did Bill Gates say about Jeffrey Epstein?
Bill Gates said he regrets “every minute” he spent with Jeffrey Epstein. He apologised for the association and described it as a mistake. He denied any wrongdoing and rejected allegations in draft emails released by the US Department of Justice.
- Did Bill Gates travel to Jeffrey Epstein’s island?
No. Gates stated in his interview that he never travelled to Epstein’s private island in the US Virgin Islands and only attended dinners.
- What are the new Epstein documents released by the DOJ?
The US Department of Justice released nearly three million additional pages related to Jeffrey Epstein. The files include correspondence, draft emails, and investigative materials. Officials said appearing in the documents does not indicate criminal conduct.
- What allegations were made against Bill Gates in the Epstein files?
Unsent draft emails written by Epstein in 2013 contained allegations about Gates’ personal conduct. Gates has denied the claims and described them as false.
- Has Bill Gates been charged in connection with Jeffrey Epstein?
No. Authorities have not charged Bill Gates with any crime related to Jeffrey Epstein. Officials have stated that being mentioned in the documents does not imply wrongdoing.
- When did Bill Gates meet Jeffrey Epstein?
Gates said he first met Epstein in 2011. This was three years after Epstein’s 2008 conviction in Florida.
- Did Melinda French Gates comment on the Epstein documents?
Yes. Melinda French Gates said the latest document release brought back painful memories. She stated that any remaining questions should be answered by those directly involved.
- Why did Bill Gates meet Jeffrey Epstein?
Gates said he believed Epstein could introduce him to wealthy individuals who might donate to global health initiatives through the Gates Foundation. He later described the meetings as a “dead end.”
