Billionaire philanthropist Bill Gates has said he regrets “every minute” he spent with Jeffrey Epstein, following the release of new court documents that included unverified claims about their past interactions.
The files, published last week by the U.S. Department of Justice, contained emails and draft correspondence linked to Epstein and several prominent figures.
One draft email, never sent, alleged that Gates had affairs, used drugs, and engaged in illicit relationships.
Speaking to 9News Australia on Wednesday, Gates dismissed the claims.
“Every minute I spent with him, I regret, and I apologise,” Gates said. “That email was never sent. The email is false.”
He added, “Was he trying to attack me in some way?”
A spokesperson for Gates issued a similar statement, accusing Epstein of attempting to defame the Microsoft co-founder.
“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,” the spokesperson said.
Relationship With Epstein
Gates explained that he met Epstein in 2011 and attended several dinners with him. He insisted their relationship did not extend further.
“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,” Gates said. “In retrospect, that was a dead end.”
He denied ever visiting Epstein’s private island or engaging in inappropriate conduct.
Melinda French Gates Reacts
Gates’ former wife, Melinda French Gates, told NPR that the document release revived painful memories from their marriage.
“I’m happy to be away from all the muck,” she said. “Whatever questions remain there… those questions are for those people and for even my ex-husband. They need to answer to those things, not me.”
Melinda divorced Gates in 2021 after 27 years of marriage.
Jeffrey Epstein died by suicide in a New York jail in 2019 while awaiting trial on federal sex-trafficking charges. His connections to powerful figures continue to generate controversy years after his death.
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