Bill Gates Denies Epstein Claims Amid New File Release

On February 4, 2026, a fresh wave of controversy swept over Bill Gates as newly unsealed documents from the Justice Department revealed draft emails in Jeffrey Epstein’s account, alleging that the Microsoft co-founder had used Epstein to arrange extramarital encounters and had contracted a sexually transmitted infection. The revelations, which surfaced in a batch of files released the previous day, included messages Epstein wrote to himself and, in some cases, addressed to Gates. These emails suggested Gates had sought Epstein’s help to obtain drugs for “dealing with consequences of sex with Russian girls” and to facilitate trysts with married women. One particularly explosive note claimed Gates had requested antibiotics to “surreptitiously give to Melinda,” his then-wife, in connection to a supposed infection.

Bill Gates, in an exclusive interview with 9News’ Chief Political Editor Charles Croucher, forcefully denied the accusations. “Apparently, Jeffrey wrote an email to himself. That email was never sent. The email is false,” Gates told 9News. He questioned Epstein’s motives, asking, “Was he trying to attack me in some way?” and expressed deep regret for ever associating with the disgraced financier. “Every minute I spent with him, I regret, and I apologise that I did that,” Gates said, reiterating his long-standing position that his dealings with Epstein were solely motivated by philanthropic ambitions.

Gates explained that he met Epstein in 2011 and attended several dinners over three years, but stressed that he “never visited his island nor had relations with women.” He said the meetings were focused on Epstein’s promises to connect him with wealthy donors for global health initiatives—a promise that, in retrospect, “was a dead end.” Gates added, “I was foolish to spend time with him. I was one of many people who regret ever knowing him. The more that comes out, the more clear it will be that, although the time was a mistake, it has nothing to do with that kind of behaviour.”

According to a statement from a Gates representative, released in the wake of the new files, “Mr. Gates unequivocally denies any improper conduct related to Epstein and the horrible activities in which Epstein was involved.” The statement emphasized that Gates “never visited Epstein’s island, never attended parties with him, and had no involvement in any illegal activities associated with Epstein.” The representative described the claims as “absolutely absurd and completely false,” attributing them to Epstein’s frustration over the end of their association. “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 documents, however, have had a profound personal impact on Melinda French Gates, Gates’s former wife and fellow philanthropist. In an NPR podcast released on February 5, 2026, French Gates described the allegations as a source of “unbelievable sadness.” She said, “For me, it’s personally hard whenever those details come up. Brings back memories of some very, very painful times in my marriage.” While she refrained from directly addressing the substance of the allegations, French Gates acknowledged the lingering questions about her ex-husband’s relationship with Epstein. “Whatever questions remain there about Mr. Epstein’s ties to other people are for those people, and for even my ex-husband. They need to answer to those things, not me.”

The newly released files have also reignited scrutiny of Gates’s relationship with Epstein, which began in 2011—three years after Epstein’s conviction for soliciting prostitution from a minor. Melinda French Gates’s discomfort with her husband’s association with Epstein became public in 2019 and, according to reporting by NPR and other outlets, contributed to her decision to initiate divorce proceedings. The couple announced their separation in 2021. In a 2021 interview with CNN, Gates himself admitted that meeting Epstein was a “huge mistake.”

Beyond the personal toll, French Gates used her appearance on NPR’s “Wild Card” podcast to express solidarity with the alleged victims of Epstein’s sex trafficking operation. “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. “It’s beyond heartbreaking.”

Despite the renewed attention on his past, Gates continues to focus on his philanthropic work. As reported by 9News, he has pledged to spend the entire $200 billion endowment of the Gates Foundation by 2045, with the ambitious goal of eradicating diseases and reducing poverty. “I hope when people read about Malaria in the future, I hope they’ll say what was that? The same with polio,” Gates said, outlining his vision for a world free of some of its most persistent health challenges.

Gates also addressed broader societal issues in his recent interview, notably the disruptive potential of artificial intelligence and the need for greater protections for children online. “I think it’s up to people in the field to say to society at large, this could really be disruptive,” he remarked, referring to AI’s transformative possibilities. On the topic of child safety in the digital age, Gates observed, “We overprotect kids in the real world; we don’t let them go out and do things. But we underprotect them in the digital world.” He praised moves to restrict children’s access to social media, calling it “a favour to the world that you’ll study.”

The release of the Epstein files and the ensuing public debate have again thrust Gates’s private life and business decisions into the spotlight. For some, the episode underscores the risks of associating with figures like Epstein, whose criminal activities have ensnared a host of prominent individuals. For others, it is a reminder of the enduring power of unsubstantiated allegations to inflict personal and reputational damage, even in the absence of concrete evidence.

As the Gates Foundation continues its work and the world grapples with the implications of artificial intelligence, the shadow of Epstein’s legacy lingers—a cautionary tale of ambition, association, and the high cost of misjudgment. For Bill Gates and Melinda French Gates, the latest revelations are yet another chapter in a story marked by public achievement, personal pain, and the relentless scrutiny that comes with global prominence.