Bill Gates, co-founder of Microsoft and one of the world's most prominent philanthropists, issued a direct apology to staff at the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation for his past association with convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein, acknowledging that his poor judgment had created damaging perceptions about the organization.
According to audio obtained by The Wall Street Journal and reported on Wednesday, February 25, 2026, Gates made the remarks during an internal meeting with foundation employees on Tuesday. “It was a huge mistake to spend time with Epstein,” Gates said. “I apologize to other people who are drawn into this because of the mistake that I made.”
The apology addresses long-standing controversy surrounding Gates' interactions with Epstein, which have been documented in court filings, flight logs, and recently disclosed government records related to Epstein's criminal activities. Gates emphasized that he had no involvement in Epstein's crimes and maintained no contact with Epstein's victims.
Key disclosures from Gates during the meeting include:
- He engaged in extramarital relationships with two Russian women, and Epstein became aware of these relationships. Gates stressed that neither woman was among Epstein's abuse victims.
- Photographs appearing in recently unsealed Epstein documents—showing Gates posing with women whose faces were obscured—were taken at Epstein's request with office personnel and were not connected to any illicit activity. “I did nothing illicit. I saw nothing illicit,” Gates stated.
- His first meeting with Epstein occurred in 2011, and interactions continued into 2014 despite concerns raised by his then-wife, Melinda French Gates, beginning in 2013. Gates credited Melinda with having “good instincts” and acknowledged her consistent doubts about the association.
- Meetings took place in multiple countries, including Germany, France, and the United States, and involved air travel with Epstein. However, Gates said he never stayed overnight at Epstein's properties and never visited Epstein's private island (Little St. James).
- The presence of other prominent figures at some gatherings contributed to an “illusion of legitimacy,” but Gates conceded that his continued contact—combined with resurfaced correspondence—had harmed the foundation's reputation and contradicted its core values.
Epstein died by suicide in a New York City jail in August 2019 while awaiting trial on federal sex-trafficking charges. He had previously pleaded guilty in 2008 in Florida to soliciting prostitution from an underage girl, serving 13 months in a work-release program.
The Gates Foundation has long distanced itself from Epstein, with Melinda French Gates citing the association as one factor in her decision to divorce Bill Gates in 2021. The foundation has consistently stated that Gates' interactions with Epstein were limited to discussions about philanthropy and that no foundation funds were ever directed to or through Epstein.
Gates' apology comes amid renewed scrutiny following the January 2026 release of additional Epstein-related documents under the Epstein Files Transparency Act. Those files included previously redacted correspondence and flight logs that reignited public and media interest in Gates' past meetings with Epstein.
The billionaire philanthropist has previously acknowledged regretting the association but had not offered such a detailed public accounting or direct apology to foundation staff until now. The internal meeting was reportedly convened to address lingering staff concerns and reaffirm the organization's mission following the latest document disclosures.
No new legal actions or investigations involving Gates were referenced in the report. The Gates Foundation has not issued a formal statement in response to the WSJ article as of Wednesday evening.
The episode highlights the ongoing reputational fallout from Epstein's network, which included numerous high-profile figures across business, politics, science, and philanthropy—many of whom have since expressed regret or distanced themselves from the disgraced financier.
