Billionaire philanthropist Melinda French Gates has said her ex-husband, Microsoft co-founder Bill Gates, being named in new files relating to the late sex offender Jeffrey Epstein dredged up 'painful times in my marriage.' She told an NPR podcast she felt 'unbelievable sadness', emphasizing that 'whatever questions remain' needed to be answered by those named, including her ex-husband.
'I am so happy to be away from all the muck,' she said. The couple divorced in 2021.
Records released by the US justice department include an allegation from Epstein that Bill Gates caught a sexually transmitted disease. Gates's spokesperson called the claim 'absolutely absurd.'
Bill Gates has not been accused of wrongdoing by any of Epstein's victims, and the appearance of his name in the files does not imply criminal activity. A Gates spokesperson stated that he has never attended parties with Epstein and had no involvement in any illegal activities associated with Epstein, although he acknowledged that meeting Epstein was a mistake.
In her interview, Melinda French Gates reflected, 'For me, it's personally hard whenever those details come up, right? Because it brings back memories of some very, very painful times in my marriage.' She mentioned that the accountability for actions described in the files lies with those mentioned, including her ex-husband, not with her.
After their separation, Melinda had previously expressed discomfort with Bill's association with Epstein, which reportedly contributed to their marital issues. Bill Gates confirmed he had an affair with a Microsoft employee in 2019.
The newly released documents provide insight into Epstein's extensive network of high-profile individuals, even after his 2008 conviction for soliciting underage sex. Epstein died in jail in 2019 while awaiting trial for sex trafficking.
'I am so happy to be away from all the muck,' she said. The couple divorced in 2021.
Records released by the US justice department include an allegation from Epstein that Bill Gates caught a sexually transmitted disease. Gates's spokesperson called the claim 'absolutely absurd.'
Bill Gates has not been accused of wrongdoing by any of Epstein's victims, and the appearance of his name in the files does not imply criminal activity. A Gates spokesperson stated that he has never attended parties with Epstein and had no involvement in any illegal activities associated with Epstein, although he acknowledged that meeting Epstein was a mistake.
In her interview, Melinda French Gates reflected, 'For me, it's personally hard whenever those details come up, right? Because it brings back memories of some very, very painful times in my marriage.' She mentioned that the accountability for actions described in the files lies with those mentioned, including her ex-husband, not with her.
After their separation, Melinda had previously expressed discomfort with Bill's association with Epstein, which reportedly contributed to their marital issues. Bill Gates confirmed he had an affair with a Microsoft employee in 2019.
The newly released documents provide insight into Epstein's extensive network of high-profile individuals, even after his 2008 conviction for soliciting underage sex. Epstein died in jail in 2019 while awaiting trial for sex trafficking.
