Melinda French Gates was married to Bill Gates from 1994 to 2021.Image: keystone
After the publication of new Epstein documents, Melinda French Gates spoke out for the first time. She speaks of stressful memories – and appeals to her ex-husband.
02/04/2026, 04:32Feb 4, 2026, 12:37 p.m
Anna-Lena Janzen / t-online
Numerous prominent personalities appear in the images and chat histories from the estate of convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein, which were published by the US Department of Justice in recent weeks. The material about Microsoft founder Bill Gates is particularly explosive.
In the most recent files, the now 70-year-old appears in two emails that Epstein is said to have sent in 2013. In it, Epstein claims to have gotten Gates medication “to deal with the consequences of sex with Russian girls.” In addition, according to Epstein’s account, Gates tried to secretly pass these drugs on to his then-wife Melinda French Gates.
Bill Gates denies allegations
According to the Wall Street Journal, Epstein also tried to threaten the now 70-year-old multi-billionaire “after he discovered that he was having an affair with a Russian bridge player named Mila Antonova, whom Gates met in 2010.” Neither the Microsoft founder nor Antonova confirmed the affair. (dsc)
Gates’ role in the Epstein scandal remains unclear.archive image: keystone
Now Melinda French Gates has spoken publicly about this for the first time. On Tuesday, the 60-year-old said in a podcast on the US radio station NPR that her ex-husband had to comment on the allegations arising from the newly published documents.
French Gates said it would be difficult for her personally if these details became public again. This brings back memories of “very, very painful times in my marriage”. The headlines about Epstein’s emails filled her with “incredible sadness.”
At the same time, the entrepreneur made it clear that open questions were not addressed to her. “Whatever questions are still open there – what exactly, I can’t even begin to know everything – these questions are addressed to these people and also to my ex-husband,” said French Gates. “You have to take responsibility for this, not me.”
She had to end her marriage and ultimately withdraw from the joint foundation. “I consciously pushed it off and moved on,” she said.
“I’m so glad to be away from all this dirt.”
Bill and Melinda Gates were married for 27 years. They were long considered a philanthropic power couple with the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, one of the world’s largest private charities, which they co-founded in 2000. They finally announced their divorce in May 2021.
Although French Gates kept the details of the end of the marriage largely private, she later wrote in her memoirs that “Bill publicly admitted that he had not always been faithful to me.” Gates’ contact with Epstein was also a factor in the separation.
Millions of pages from Epstein’s estate
Convicted sex offender Epstein died in his prison cell in 2019 before he could be tried again for abusing minors. Bill Gates is among several influential figures mentioned by name in some three million pages of newly published private communications from Epstein. The documents released by the US Department of Justice made clear the extent of Epstein’s contacts with powerful people.
The following applies: The mere mention or image in the Epstein files is not an indication of criminal misconduct. Many of those previously identified deny involvement in Epstein’s criminal activities. Many of the celebrities also said they had no knowledge of Epstein’s crimes. This was despite the fact that Epstein had already been convicted for the first time in 2008 for procuring underage prostitutes. Many of the contacts that have now become public are documented from the time after the conviction.
French Gates: “We are facing a reckoning”
In the podcast, Melinda French Gates also drew attention to Epstein’s victims. At the same time, she spoke of social responsibility. “I think we are facing a reckoning as a society,” said French Gates.
No girl should ever be in such a situation. She could take her own sadness and look at the young girls and ask herself: “My God, how could this happen to these girls?” She herself found a way to move on.
“At least I was able to move on with my life and I hope that there is justice for these women who are now adults.”
Bill Gates himself has not yet commented publicly on the allegations. A spokesman for the entrepreneur denied such allegations when contacted by NPR. The claims are “absolutely absurd and completely false.” The documents simply showed Epstein’s frustration at not having an ongoing relationship with Gates and “the means he resorted to to manipulate and defame.”
Just last week, Gates appeared smiling alongside his new partner Paula Hurd – in premium seats in the spectator stand at the Australian Open in Melbourne, Australia.
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