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.

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