Desk: Global industrialist and philanthropist Bill Gates is once again in the spotlight due to controversies linked to Jeffrey Epstein. Following the release of new documents and photos, Gates has publicly apologized to his employees at the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, admitting that he made serious mistakes.
According to sources, during an internal town hall meeting, Gates addressed questions about his past relationships and acknowledged that spending time with Epstein and introducing foundation executives to him “was a big mistake.” He also admitted that he had two affairs with Russian women mentioned in the Epstein files but clarified that these relationships had no connection to Epstein’s victims.
Gates told employees, “This decision put people in the organization in an uncomfortable position, and I take responsibility for that. I did nothing illegal, nor did I witness anything illegal.”
The controversy has also affected his public engagements. Gates recently withdrew from the AI Impact Summit 2026 in India to ensure the event stayed focused on its core topics. The Gates Foundation has previously stated that it had no financial dealings with Epstein and that he never held any role within the organization.
Nevertheless, the new revelations have raised questions about Gates’ image and professional credibility, reigniting debates on how the personal relationships of influential public figures can affect their reputation.