Microsoft co-founder Bill Gates has issued a formal apology to the employees of the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation regarding his past association with convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein. In an internal message sent to staff, Gates admitted that establishing a relationship with Epstein was a “substantial mistake” that has negatively impacted both his personal and professional reputation. He expressed deep regret over the situation, acknowledging the disappointment it caused among his team.
Gates previously clarified that his meetings with Epstein were intended solely to discuss potential fundraising for global health and philanthropic initiatives. However, he now concedes that meeting with Epstein, despite his known criminal history, was a serious error in judgment. Gates stated that he takes full responsibility for any harm this association caused to the foundation’s prestige and employee morale, emphasizing that such controversies should not distract from the organization’s noble mission.
This controversy had significant repercussions on Gates’ personal life as well. Reports suggest that his ties to Epstein were a major factor in Melinda French Gates’ decision to file for divorce, as she had reportedly expressed discomfort with the meetings from the beginning. Moving forward, Bill Gates pledged to focus on transparency and rebuilding the trust of his staff. He concluded his message by stating that while he cannot change the past, he is committed to ensuring such mistakes never happen again as he continues his global charitable work.
