Bill Gates 'foolish' to spend time with Jeffrey Epstein as he addresses relationship in new interview
Bill Gates has stated that he did not have a 'social relationship' with convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein in a new interview.
The Microsoft co-founder recently sat down with CNN to discuss a recent essay he'd penned, warning about the dangers of rapidly expanding artificial intelligence.
But the interview was also Gates' first since he testified to the US House Oversight Committee regarding his connection to Epstein, presenter Anderson Cooper couldn't let the 70-year-old go without questioning him about the disgraced financier.
Asked about the extent of his relationship with Epstein and whether or not he'd ever come face-to-face with any of his victims, Gates explained that he'd had a 'misguided view' that the 66-year-old would be able to aid with his philanthropic endeavours.
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"I didn't have a social relationship [with him]. I didn't meet any women through him," Gates explained.
"I had a misguided view that he could facilitate raising philanthropic funds for global health."
"It was a gigantic mistake, which I talk about in my testimony. I'm very apologetic that I gave him any credibility at all."
Gates was first introduced to Epstein in 2011, with either him or members of his foundation going on to have 30 meetings with him before ceasing contact in 2014.
Gates has never been accused of wrongdoing by any of Epstein's victims.
Regarding Epstein's 2008 conviction for solicitation of prostitution and of solicitation of prostitution with a minor, Gates stated that he was aware of the financier's legal troubles but didn't 'fully understand the extent of the crimes he committed'.
"I accepted the introduction without applying the scrutiny I should have," Gates said in his testimony.
Cooper then went on to ask about the reports that Epstein was planning to blackmail Gates, which the philanthropist says he was unaware of at the time.
According to a report from The Guardian detailing Gates' testimony to Congress, Epstein had sought information about the technology tycoon's extramarital affairs to force him to remain in contact.
Other documents released by the Department of Justice in relation to the 'Epstein Files' alleged that Gates had caught a sexually transmitted infection from an unidentified Russian woman – a claim which Gates denied, calling it 'absurd' and 'completely false'.
"I didn't know that he was considering blackmailing me," Gates replied. "He never did blackmail me, but it just shows how foolish I was to spend time with him."
Gates' interactions with Epstein came at such a personal cost to the Microsoft man, with the connection allegedly being a contributing factor to the breakdown of his marriage to ex-wife Melinda.
The couple, who tied the knot in 1994, finalised their divorce in August 2021, with Gates paying his former wife $8 billion in a settlement.
Speaking about his divorce in 2025, Gates called it the 'mistake I most regret' in an interview with The Times, while Melinda said she was 'happy to be away' from her ex-husband.
Topics: Bill Gates, Jeffrey Epstein
Brenna Cooper