Bill Gates Apologises Over Epstein Ties While Revealing Affairs With Russian Women

SEATTLE — Microsoft co-founder Bill Gates has issued a candid apology to the staff of the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation over his years-long association with disgraced sex offender Jeffrey Epstein, calling it a "huge mistake" and acknowledging it caused serious harm to the organisation he built.

In a frank address to foundation employees, Gates expressed regret for the reputational damage his ties to Epstein had inflicted on the organisation, which employs thousands of people working on global health, education and poverty alleviation initiatives worldwide.

In a further disclosure that has drawn wide attention, Gates also reportedly admitted to having had extramarital affairs with Russian women, adding a deeply personal dimension to what has been a prolonged period of public scrutiny for the billionaire philanthropist. The revelations compound earlier reporting about his personal conduct, which contributed to the breakdown of his 27-year marriage to Melinda French Gates in 2021.

Gates has consistently denied any involvement in Epstein's crimes, maintaining that he met the financier solely in a professional capacity. However, he conceded publicly that trusting and associating with Epstein was one of the gravest personal errors of his life. The Gates Foundation has declined to comment further.