Melinda Gates Says Bill Gates’ Ties to Jeffrey Epstein Contributed to Divorce
SEATTLE — In a rare and candid television interview, Melinda French Gates publicly acknowledged for the first time that her former husband Bill Gates’ connection to convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein was one of the key factors that led to the end of their 27-year marriage.
Speaking with Gayle King on CBS Mornings, the philanthropist and co-chair of the Gates Foundation revealed that she had expressed serious discomfort about Bill’s decision to meet with Epstein, the disgraced financier who was arrested in 2019 on federal sex trafficking charges and later died in jail.
“As I said, it’s not one thing, it was many things,” Melinda told King during the interview. “But I did not like that he’d had meetings with Jeffrey Epstein. No.”
Melinda confirmed that she met Epstein once herself — and immediately regretted it.
“I also met Jeffrey Epstein exactly one time,” she said. “Yes, because I wanted to see who this man was. And I regretted it from the second I stepped in the door. He was abhorrent. He was evil personified. I had nightmares about it afterwards.”
Her comments marked the first time Melinda had publicly linked Bill’s association with Epstein to the dissolution of their marriage.
Additional Strains on the Marriage
In the interview, Melinda also confirmed reports that infidelity played a role in the breakdown of their relationship. She said she had previously forgiven Bill for an affair he had in 2000 with a Microsoft employee, but the accumulation of issues eventually became insurmountable.
“There came a point in time where there was enough there that I realized it just wasn’t healthy, and I couldn’t trust what we had,” she said.
Despite the personal fallout, Melinda emphasized that the two continue to collaborate professionally.
“I would say we’re friendly at this point,” she added. “Friends is a different word for me. That might come over time, but for me, there’s still healing that needs to happen. I think we have a productive working relationship, and I think that will continue.”
Bill Gates Responds
In a written statement to CBS following the broadcast, Bill Gates said:
“I will always be sorry for the pain that I caused Melinda and our family. I admire Melinda and everything she does to improve the lives of women and girls around the world, and I’m grateful for the work we continue to do together at our foundation.”
Background on the Epstein Connection
Gates’ meetings with Epstein reportedly began in 2011, years after Epstein had already pleaded guilty to state charges involving a minor in Florida. According to The New York Times, Gates met with Epstein on multiple occasions, including at Epstein’s Manhattan townhouse. A Gates spokesperson has previously said the meetings were focused on philanthropy and funding ideas, and that Bill “regretted ever meeting with Epstein.”
While Bill Gates has publicly acknowledged the meetings, he has consistently denied having any business or personal relationship beyond those encounters. In past interviews, Gates called Epstein’s lifestyle “repugnant.”
📎 Sources:
CBS News – “Melinda French Gates tells Gayle King that Bill Gates’ relationship with Jeffrey Epstein contributed to divorce”
https://www.cbsnews.com/news/melinda-french-gates-bill-gates-jeffrey-epstein-divorce-interview/The New York Times – “Bill Gates Met With Jeffrey Epstein Many Times, Despite His Past”
https://www.nytimes.com/2019/10/12/business/jeffrey-epstein-bill-gates.htmlCNBC – “Melinda French Gates opens up about divorce from Bill Gates, says ‘trust’ was broken”
https://www.cnbc.com/2022/03/03/melinda-french-gates-says-bill-gates-affair-broke-trust-in-marriage.html
