Melinda French Gates Says Epstein File Reopens ‘Painful’ Memories From Marriage to Bill Gates

photo credit: NBC News

Billionaire philanthropist Melinda French Gates has said the release of new documents linked to convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein has revived “very painful” memories from her marriage to Microsoft co-founder Bill Gates.

Speaking on NPR’s Wild Card podcast, French Gates said the appearance of her former husband’s name in the newly released Epstein-related files brought back difficult emotions, adding that she felt “unbelievable sadness” over the developments.

“I am so happy to be away from all the muck,” she said, while stressing that those named in the documents must answer questions for themselves.

Melinda French Gates and Bill Gates divorced in 2021 after 27 years of marriage.

The comments followed the release of records by the US Department of Justice last week, which include allegations attributed to Epstein involving Bill Gates. One claim suggests the billionaire contracted a sexually transmitted disease, an allegation Gates has strongly denied.

A spokesperson for Bill Gates described the claim as “absolutely absurd” and “completely false,” noting that Epstein was a “proven, disgruntled liar.”

Bill Gates has not been accused of wrongdoing by any of Epstein’s victims, and his inclusion in the documents does not imply criminal conduct.

Reflecting on the impact of the disclosures, French Gates said: “For me, it’s personally hard whenever those details come up, because it brings back memories of some very, very painful times in my marriage.”

She added that unresolved questions about Epstein’s network were not hers to address, saying those involved, including her former husband, must respond themselves.

US media have previously reported that French Gates was troubled by her husband’s association with Epstein prior to their separation. After their divorce was announced, Bill Gates acknowledged having had an affair with a Microsoft employee in 2019.

The allegations appear among more than three million documents released by the Justice Department. Included are two emails dated July 18, 2013, allegedly drafted by Epstein. Both messages originated from Epstein’s email account and were sent back to the same address, with no email account linked to Gates appearing in the records. Neither message was signed, and it remains unclear whether they were ever sent.

One email is written as a mock resignation letter from the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation, claiming Epstein had been tasked with obtaining medication for Gates. The second, addressed “Dear Bill,” alleges efforts to conceal a sexually transmitted infection, including from his then-wife.

Bill Gates and his representatives have consistently downplayed his relationship with Epstein, saying the pair met only on a few occasions for dinners related to a potential philanthropic initiative that never materialised.

Responding to the latest document release, Gates’s spokesperson said the records merely reflect Epstein’s anger over losing access to Gates and “the lengths he would go to entrap and defame.”

The newly released files shed further light on Epstein’s extensive network of politicians, business leaders and public figures, some of whom maintained contact with him even after his 2008 conviction for soliciting sex from a minor.

Epstein died in a New York jail in 2019 while awaiting trial on federal sex-trafficking charges.