Melinda French Gates, the ex-wife of Microsoft co-founder Bill Gates, has expressed her feelings following the release of files related to Jeffrey Epstein that include mentions of her former husband. In an interview with NPR’s Wild Card podcast, aired on March 5, 2024, Melinda revealed she experienced “unbelievable sadness” upon learning of Gates’ name appearing in documents made public by the U.S. Justice Department on March 1, 2024.
She stated, “Whatever questions remain there… for those people, and for even my ex-husband, they need to answer to those things, not me.” Melinda emphasized her relief at being distanced from what she termed “the muck” associated with the Epstein case. “No girl should ever be put in the situation that they were put in by Epstein and whatever was going on with all of the various people around him. It’s beyond heartbreaking,” she added, reflecting on the vulnerability of young women involved in these troubling circumstances.
The newly released documents highlighted Bill Gates as one of several prominent figures linked to Epstein, the disgraced financier who died in prison in 2019 while awaiting trial on sex trafficking charges. Among the information included in these files were emails from Epstein in 2013, where he allegedly suggested Gates was involved in extramarital affairs and sought illicit drugs.
A spokesperson for Bill Gates responded to these allegations, asserting, “These claims are absolutely absurd and completely false.” The statement, sent to NBC News, described the documents as a reflection of Epstein’s frustration over his lack of an ongoing relationship with Gates and an attempt to defame him.
In one email, Epstein stated he had resigned from a role with the Gates Foundation due to being caught in “a severe marital dispute” between Melinda and Bill Gates. He claimed to have participated in morally questionable activities, which included assisting Gates with drug procurement and facilitating inappropriate encounters. Epstein’s claims raised serious ethical concerns, with the emails detailing actions he characterized as “potentially illegal.”
Melinda and Bill Gates were married for 27 years before their divorce in 2021. Following their separation, she alleged that Bill had an affair with a Microsoft employee in 2019. Melinda resigned from her position as co-chair of the Gates Foundation in 2024, feeling the need to distance herself from the organization and the relationship. Bill Gates acknowledged the affair in a 2021 statement to the New York Times, taking responsibility for the pain caused to his family.
Reflecting on her past, Melinda shared, “I had to leave my marriage. I wanted to leave my marriage. I felt I needed to eventually leave the foundation. So, it’s just sad. That’s the truth.”
Other high-profile individuals mentioned in the Epstein files include former U.S. President Donald Trump, tech entrepreneur Elon Musk, and former President Bill Clinton. All three have denied any wrongdoing and have not faced charges related to Epstein. Prince Andrew, mentioned in the files as well, has denied allegations of sexual misconduct involving young women associated with Epstein but has faced significant public and legal scrutiny, leading to the loss of his titles and residence.
Ghislaine Maxwell, Epstein’s former associate, stands as the only individual convicted of crimes linked to Epstein’s activities. The ongoing implications of Epstein’s network continue to reverberate through media and public consciousness.
Melinda concluded her NPR interview by acknowledging the emotional toll of the recent revelations, stating that the details surrounding Bill in the Epstein files evoke painful memories from her marriage. “I purposely pushed it away and I moved on,” she disclosed, adding, “I’m in a really unexpected, beautiful place in my life. For me, I’ve been able to move on in life and I hope there’s some justice for those women now.”
