In a recently conducted closed-door session with the House Oversight Committee, Bill Gates revealed that he had had affairs with three women during his marriage to Melinda French Gates. This revelation came as part of an inquiry into his connections with the late financier Jeffrey Epstein, who had been convicted of sex offences.
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Gates, who co-founded Microsoft, asserts that he is not facing any allegations of wrongdoing. He voluntarily appeared before the committee to discuss his interactions with Epstein, which began in 2011 as he sought to secure support for his philanthropic efforts in global health, eventually ending in late 2014. His statements were made public in a 138-page transcript released by the committee.
During his testimony, Gates disclosed that Epstein had gained access to sensitive information about his personal life, including details of his infidelities, which he described as a painful matter for his family. He stressed that these affairs had no link to his dealings with Epstein, though he acknowledged that the financier attempted to manipulate this knowledge in a bid to pressure him into re-establishing contact. “I should never have met with Epstein in the first place,” Gates lamented.
The Microsoft co-founder confirmed earlier reports of two affairs with Russian women. He identified the individuals involved as Mila Antonova, a known bridge player, and Karima Nigmatulina, a nuclear scientist. Another woman mentioned was Alice Jacobs Nesselrodt, a doctor whom he encountered at a conference before 2010.
Gates’ previous association with Epstein resurfaced in public discourse following the release of emails by the U.S. Department of Justice. These emails contained allegations from Epstein regarding Gates contracting a sexually transmitted infection from ‘Russian girls’ and implied that Gates sought assistance from Epstein to keep this hidden from his then-wife. Gates categorically denied these claims, labelling them “completely false,” while acknowledging that there may have been a period when he was concerned about possibly having an infection, which might have led to the misunderstanding.
In his testimony, Gates clarified that while Epstein never blackmailed him, the emails raised concerning questions about Epstein’s intentions towards him. He maintained that he “never witnessed nor had any indication that Epstein was engaged in ongoing criminal conduct,” and he denied visiting any of Epstein’s residences, including his island or ranch in Florida.
When pressed by committee members regarding his knowledge of Epstein’s victims, Gates stated he had never directly interacted with them, although he admitted he might have been present at events where they were also in attendance. He reiterated his stance of apologising for his previous interactions with Epstein, which he has done multiple times in various forums, including a recent town hall meeting at his foundation.
In light of these events, the Gates Foundation has announced plans to carry out an external review of its past dealings with Epstein, as well as its protocols for vetting future partnerships. An update on this review is anticipated over the summer months.
Following the conclusion of the testimony, a spokesperson for Gates expressed that he was grateful for the opportunity to engage with the committee. The representative noted that Gates had responded to all questions presented during the nearly six-hour discussion, and they encouraged the public to review the complete transcript now available. Furthermore, the spokesperson indicated that Gates is in favour of full transparency concerning the investigation, hoping it will yield justice for Epstein’s victims.