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Bill Gates breaks silence on Epstein files and says he regrets ‘every minute’ spent with him

metro.co.uk

Thursday, February 5, 2026

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Tech magnate and philanthropist Bill Gates has publicly addressed the fresh allegations linking him to convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein, after new US Department of Justice documents were released. The 70-year-old billionaire says that he deeply regrets ever spending time with Epstein, and t...

Bill Gates speaks during the Gates Foundation's first global Goalkeepers event in the Nordics, which is being held in Stockholm, Sweden, January 22, 2026. TT News Agency/ Stefan Jerrevang via REUTERS ATTENTION EDITORS - THIS IMAGE WAS PROVIDED BY A THIRD PARTY. SWEDEN OUT. NO COMMERCIAL OR EDITORIAL SALES IN SWEDEN.
Tech magnate and philanthropist Bill Gates has publicly addressed the fresh allegations linking him to convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein, after new US Department of Justice documents were released. The 70-year-old billionaire says that he deeply regrets ever spending time with Epstein, and that he ‘never went to the island’ and had no part in ‘that kind of behaviour’. Speaking during a visit to Australia, Gates said that his past meetings with the late Epstein were a big mistake. (Picture: REUTERS)
RETRANSMITTING PIXELATING FACE AT REQUEST OF THE METROPOLITAN POLICE Undated handout photo issued by the US House Oversight Committee Democrats of Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor standing in a room next to Microsoft magnate Bill Gates. A photograph of Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor is among the latest release of images from the estate of convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein. Nineteen pictures were shared by Democrats on the US's House Oversight Committee on Friday, which are separate from the case files with the Department of Justice. Issue date: Friday December 12, 2025. PA Photo. Photo credit should read: US House Oversight Committee Democrats/PA Wire NOTE TO EDITORS: This handout photo may only be used in for editorial reporting purposes for the contemporaneous illustration of events, things or the people in the image or facts mentioned in the caption. Reuse of the picture may require further permission from the copyright holder.
Gates spoke during what was described as his only Australian television interview, recorded while he was in the country during the Australian Open, Daily Mail reports. Reflecting on his past judgement, he said that Jeffrey Epstein presented himself as someone who could connect wealthy donors to global health causes. Gates told 9News: ‘The focus was always, he knew a lot of very rich people and he was saying he could get them to give money to global health.’ He added that this promise ultimately led nowhere and left him with a lasting regret that he holds to this day. (Picture: US House Oversight Committee Democrats/PA Wire)
Beverly Hills, CA Businessman and philanthropist Bill Gates arrives at Kris Jenner's 70th star-studded birthday party at Jeff Bezos' home in Beverly Hills. Pictured: Bill Gates BACKGRID USA 8 NOVEMBER 2025 BYLINE MUST READ: The Daily Stardust / BACKGRID USA: +1 310 798 9111 / usasales@backgrid.com UK: +44 208 344 2007 / uksales@backgrid.com *UK Clients - Pictures Containing Children Please Pixelate Face Prior To Publication*
He said: ‘You know, in retrospect, that was a dead end and I was foolish to spend time with him. I am one of many people who regret ever knowing him.’ The Microsoft co-founder added: ‘I was only at dinners… I never went to the island, I never met any women, and so, you know, the more that comes out, the more clear it’ll be, that although the time was a mistake, it had nothing to do with that kind of behavior.’ (Picture: The Daily Stardust)
Bill Gates - Jeffrey Epstein Estate PHOTOS RELEASED BY US House Oversight Committee - December 18, 2025 - https://www.dropbox.com/scl/fo/cl62lochkdzdalbzzqgq8/ADJIDEfLD1oQZrKmNeae2So?rlkey=y7529bx9tl7db6zf279jp3cyu&e=1&st=mxn6k82e&dl=0
Gates also went on to address some of the claims contained in a email attributed to Epstein, which appears in the newly-released documents. ‘Apparently, Jeffrey wrote an email to himself. That email was never sent. The email is, you know, false. I don’t know what his thinking was there. Every minute that I spent with him, I regret and I apologise that I did that,’ he said. (Picture: House Oversight Committee)
Pictured: Jes Staley, Larry Summers, Jeffrey Epstein, Bill Gates and Boris Nikolic11838243 JP Morgan sues former executive over claims he hid Jeffrey Epstein's sex abuse to ensure pervert financier could remain as bank's client: Lawsuit says he should be liable for any penalties and demands he repay his wages
The draft email, from 2013, allegedly references Gates and his then-wife Melinda. The text, complete with Epstein’s now-infamous litany of spelling errors and typos, reads: ‘TO add insult to injury you them implore me to please delete the emails mails regarding your std, your request that I provide you antibiotics that you can surreptitiously give to Melinda and the description of your penis.’ Another section says Epstein was ‘dismayed beyond comprehension’ by Gates’s decision to ‘disregard’ their friendship. (Picture: Handout)
Bill Gates - Jeffrey Epstein Estate PHOTOS RELEASED BY US House Oversight Committee - December 18, 2025 - https://www.dropbox.com/scl/fo/cl62lochkdzdalbzzqgq8/ADJIDEfLD1oQZrKmNeae2So?rlkey=y7529bx9tl7db6zf279jp3cyu&e=1&st=mxn6k82e&dl=0
These emails were among hundreds of thousands of Epstein-related files published by the Justice Department on Friday. A spokesperson for Gates previously denied the allegations that stemmed from Epstein’s emails. In a statement to Daily Mail, they said: ‘These claims are absolutely absurd and completely false. The only thing these documents demonstrate is Epstein’s frustration that he did not have an ongoing relationship with Gates and the lengths he would go to entrap and defame.’ (Picture: House Oversight Committee)
Melinda Gates, who divorced Bill back in 2021, has also spoken publicly following the document release. Appearing on NPR’s Wild Card podcast, she said those mentioned should address the allegations directly. ‘I think we’re having a reckoning as a society, right? No girl, no girl should ever be put in the situation that they were put in by Epstein and whatever was going on with all of the various people around him,’ she said. (Picture: Shutterstock/Getty Images)
‘It’s beyond heartbreaking. I remember being those ages those girls were, I remember my daughters being those ages,’ she said. ‘So, for me, it’s personally hard whenever those details come up.’ She added that her thoughts were firmly with Epstein’s victims. Melinda and Bill Gates were married from 1994 until their divorce 27 years later. (Picture: Jeff Spicer/Getty Images for The Clooney Foundation For Justice )

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