Bill Gates Expresses Deep Regret to Foundation Staff Over Resurfaced Epstein Ties

New Delhi, February 25, 2026: In a move to address internal unease and mounting public scrutiny, Bill Gates has issued a direct apology to the employees of the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation regarding his past association with the late financier and convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein.

The apology comes on the heels of the “Epstein Files”—a massive cache of millions of documents released by the U.S. Department of Justice in early 2026—which reignited a firestorm of controversy surrounding the Microsoft co-founder’s historical interactions with Epstein.

“Every Minute I Spent With Him, I Regret”

Addressing the situation during recent communications and an interview with Australian news outlet 9News, Gates struck a somber tone. He acknowledged that his decision to meet with Epstein—intended at the time to secure funding for global health initiatives—was a profound error in judgment.

“Every minute I spent with him, I regret, and I apologize,” Gates stated. “I was foolish to spend time with him. I was one of many people who regret ever knowing him.”

Gates clarified that his intent was strictly philanthropic, believing Epstein’s claims that he could facilitate massive donations from wealthy individuals. However, he admitted that in retrospect, the pursuit was a “dead end” and a “huge mistake.”

Addressing the “Epstein Files” Revelations

The latest document dump contained unverified allegations that were particularly damaging, including a draft email written by Epstein in 2013. In the draft, Epstein alleged that Gates had engaged in extramarital affairs and sought medical treatment for related consequences.

Key points from the Foundation’s response:

• Total Denial: A spokesperson for Gates called the allegations in the draft emails “absolutely absurd and completely false.”
• Attempted Extortion: The Gates team suggests the documents reflect Epstein’s frustration at being unable to establish a lasting partnership with Gates, alleging that Epstein was attempting to “entrap and defame” the billionaire.
• No Financial Ties: The Gates Foundation issued an official statement confirming that while a small number of staff interacted with Epstein to explore potential funding, no collaboration was ever pursued, and no payments were ever made to him.

Impact on Foundation Morale and Leadership

The resurfacing of these details has reportedly caused significant distress within the Foundation, an organization whose core mission involves the protection and empowerment of women and girls. Melinda French Gates, who divorced Bill in 2021, recently noted that the document release brought back “memories of some very, very painful times.”

She emphasized that while she has moved on, her ex-husband still has “questions to answer” regarding the nature of those associations.

To “ensure the focus remains on the organization’s key priorities,” Gates recently withdrew from a high-profile keynote address at the AI Impact Summit in India. The Foundation stated that the decision was made to prevent the controversy from overshadowing critical work in artificial intelligence and global health.

Looking Forward

As the Foundation navigates this “reckoning,” leadership is emphasizing a renewed commitment to its values. The organization has bolstered its governance and transparency measures to ensure that future partnerships undergo more rigorous vetting.

For now, Gates remains a central figure in global philanthropy, though his legacy continues to face the shadow of a relationship he now describes as his greatest professional and personal regret.