Gates Foundation Town Hall: Bill Gates Addresses Past Conduct and Jeffrey Epstein Links

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Microsoft co-founder Bill Gates recently spoke to his employees at a global meeting. During this talk, he admitted to having affairs with two Russian women. He also apologized for his past relationship with Jeffrey Epstein.

Gates told his staff on 24 February 2026 that these personal mistakes had hurt the reputation of the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation. He expressed deep regret for these actions during the scheduled town hall event.

The Facts Behind the Association


Gates gave a clear account of his meetings with Epstein that started in 2011. This was three years after Epstein was convicted of a sex crime involving a minor. Gates said he did not check Epstein’s background well enough. He talked specifically about two past relationships. One was with a Russian bridge player. The other was with a Russian nuclear physicist.

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As reported by RNZ, which reviewed a recording of the event: "I did have affairs, one with a Russian bridge player who met me at bridge events, and one with a Russian nuclear physicist who I met through business activities... I did nothing illicit. I saw nothing illicit."

The Impact on Bill Gates' Global Health Partnerships


The Gates Foundation donates billions of dollars to global health projects. It needs to be trusted by world leaders and groups like the WHO. This trust is now at risk. If world leaders do not trust the Foundation's leadership, they might not want to work together on massive health goals.

There was also a risk of blackmail. Reports show that Epstein tried to use the affair with Mila Antonova to pressure Gates. Epstein wanted Gates to put billions of dollars into a new charity fund. As Gates noted during the meeting: "Our work is very reputation-sensitive. I mean, people can choose to work with us or not work with us."

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Overall, the Gates Foundation is entering a new phase. It is moving away from being led by just one person. By talking openly to his staff, Bill Gates is trying to fix the damage attached to his name. This incident shows that even the most powerful philanthropists face consequences for their choices. The Foundation must now prove its work can succeed regardless of the founder's personal history.