Microsoft founder and billionaire Bill Gates has publicly apologised to employees of his charitable foundation for his contacts with the disgraced financier Jeffrey Epstein. The businessman admitted that the episode had been a serious mistake and had caused reputational damage to the organisation.

According to The Wall Street Journal, this was stated in a letter to staff. In the message, Gates explained that he began meeting with Epstein in 2011 – after the financier had already been convicted of procuring prostitution involving minors.

Gates emphasised that his interactions with Epstein continued until 2014, after which he severed all ties. He stated that he never visited the financier’s notorious island, never had contact with his victims, and never witnessed any unlawful acts.

At the same time, the billionaire acknowledged moral responsibility for having associated with Epstein at all. In his address, he described it as a «major mistake», noting that it had undermined trust in the foundation’s philanthropic work.

In addition, Gates made personal admissions, confirming extramarital relationships, including affairs with two Russian women – a bridge player he met at a tournament and a nuclear physicist he encountered in a professional setting.

In conclusion, Gates said he had drawn lessons from the situation and recognised its impact both on his personal reputation and on the public image of the foundation.

Photo: depositphotos

The holidays are coming, and it’s the perfect time to curl up in a blanket, make your favorite drink, and read an interesting book. Bill Gates has some recommendations for you. The billionaire, who loves literature, shared his traditional list of books for the winter break. The general theme among his four recommendations focuses on understanding the world around us.

«All of the books are about making sense of the world. I didn’t plan it this way, but I was surprised to notice it. We’re living in times of rapid change, and it’s natural to try to understand what’s happening», he explained.

The list includes «Unfinished Love Story» by Doris Kearns Goodwin, which tells the story of life with her late husband, a politician and speechwriter for Presidents Kennedy and Johnson; «The Coddling of the American Mind» by Jonathan Haidt, about the development of children’s personalities; «Engineering in Plain Sight» by Grady Hillhouse, which explores the structures around us in everyday life; and «The Coming Wave» by Mustafa Suleyman, about artificial intelligence.

As a bonus, Gates also recommended «Federer» by Doris Henkel, a biography of the famous tennis player Roger Federer.

Photo: GatesNotes

Microsoft founder Bill Gates has become a grandfather for the second time. His eldest daughter, Jennifer Gates, announced that on November 2, she gave birth to a daughter with her husband, Egyptian equestrian Nayel Nassar. The baby girl was named Mia.

Jennifer shared a photo where her elder daughter, Layla, is gazing at her newborn sister.

«Introducing Mia, born on our third wedding anniversary. The best gift we could have asked for», — Jennifer wrote.

Jennifer and her husband tied the knot on October 16, 2021, in Westchester, New York. In March 2023, Bill Gates’ daughter gave him his first granddaughter, Layla.

To recall, 28-year-old Jennifer is the eldest child of Bill Gates and his ex-wife, Melinda. They also have a 25-year-old son, Rory, and a 22-year-old daughter, Phoebe.

Photo: Instagram @jenngatesnassar