Microsoft founder Bill Gates has confessed to feeling ‘foolish’ for associating with Jeffrey Epstein.
According to a report by the Wall Street Journal in 2023, Epstein, a convicted sex offender who died by suicide in prison at the age of 66 in August 2019, attempted to blackmail Gates regarding an alleged relationship with a Russian bridge player.
In 2013, Epstein, who was awaiting trial on federal conspiracy and sex trafficking charges when he died, reportedly tried to coerce Gates into investing in a multi-billion-dollar charitable fund.
When Gates declined, Epstein allegedly sought to exploit his knowledge of Gates’ 2010 affair with a Russian woman named Mila Antonova.
A spokesperson for Gates told PEOPLE: “Mr. Gates met with Epstein solely for philanthropic purposes. Having failed repeatedly to draw Mr. Gates beyond these matters, Epstein tried unsuccessfully to leverage a past relationship to threaten Mr. Gates.
“Mr. Gates never had any financial dealings with Epstein. As Bill has said before, it was a mistake to have ever met him.”
In a Wall Street Journal interview, Gates reiterated his stance, acknowledging that ‘in retrospect’ it was ‘foolish to spend any time with him,’ while discussing why he initially engaged with Epstein.
The New York Times reported that Gates met with Epstein on several occasions, including at least three meetings at Epstein’s Manhattan townhouse beginning in 2011.
In a YouTube interview published on January 24, Gates explained: “He sort of got time with various people by spending time with other people.
“So yes, I think I was quite stupid. I thought it would help me with global health philanthropy. In fact, it failed to do that and it was just a huge mistake.”
In an email to colleagues in 2011, Gates reportedly wrote about Epstein: “His lifestyle is very different and kind of intriguing although it would not work for me.”
A spokesperson for Gates later clarified that he was ‘in no way’ expressing interest or approval, but was ‘referring only to the unique décor of the Epstein residence – and Epstein’s habit of spontaneously bringing acquaintances in to meet Mr Gates’.
When asked if the experience has made him ‘more wary of connections,’ Gates concluded: “Definitely. I mean are you kidding?”
Gates also reflected on his past, expressing a hope that as one gets older, they become more reflective and wise.