Melinda French Gates, the former spouse of Microsoft co-founder Bill Gates, expressed that she needs answers to questions arising from his name being mentioned in the documents of the late financier and convicted pedophile Jeffrey Epstein. She noted that the publication of these materials made her recall a "very painful period" in their marriage. Bill Gates, for his part, denied any connections with Epstein, apart from a few dinners together.
In the NRR Wild Card podcast, which will air on Thursday, Melinda French Gates shared her feelings: "It's very hard for me when this topic comes up again. It brings back memories of a painful time in my marriage." She also added that the questions raised by the mention in the documents should be addressed both to the people named there and to her ex-husband.
Bill Gates' connections with Jeffrey Epstein became known back in 2019, and it was then that Melinda began talking about divorce. Ultimately, the couple officially separated in 2021.
Recent documents released by the U.S. Department of Justice in connection with the Epstein case contain Gates' name among many other influential people, such as Elon Musk and Prince Andrew, the brother of King Charles III of the United Kingdom.
However, no charges have been brought against Bill Gates, and his mention in the documents does not imply any wrongdoing on his part.
Among the published documents are two letters that Epstein sent on July 18, 2013, to his own email address, addressed to Gates. It is unclear whether he delivered them to the businessman.
One of the letters contains Epstein's complaints about having to find medication for Gates "after sex with Russian girls," while the other begins with the salutation "Dear Bill" and also includes claims that Gates asked him for antibiotics to treat a sexually transmitted disease.
Gates' representatives commented that "the only thing these documents show is Epstein's frustration over the lack of a friendship with Gates and his attempts to slander and entrap him." Bill Gates insists that his connection with Epstein was limited to just a few evenings.
In his interview with the Australian channel 9News, he expressed regret over the time spent with Epstein, adding that he never visited the financier's island. He also claims that he did not receive the letters published by the Department of Justice.
Gates explained his meetings with Epstein by saying that he promised to introduce him to wealthy individuals who could support global health: "Now I understand that it was a dead-end road." He added that "spending time with him was a mistake," and that he is one of those who regrets meeting Epstein.
