'Painful times in my marriage' - Melinda French Gates reacts to ex-husband in Epstein files

February 4, 2026

Melinda French Gates publicly discussed the emotional pain caused by her ex-husband Bill Gates' association with convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein, stating the recent document releases brought back difficult memories from their marriage. The newly released Department of Justice files contain unverified allegations from Epstein claiming Bill Gates contracted a sexually transmitted disease, though Gates' representatives have dismissed these claims as false and defamatory attempts by a "disgruntled liar. " Bill Gates has acknowledged regretting his dinners with Epstein, explaining they were limited interactions focused on philanthropy discussions, and has denied visiting Epstein's island or engaging in any wrongdoing.

Who is affected

Melinda French Gates (experiencing emotional pain from revelations)
Bill Gates (named in released files and facing allegations)
Epstein's victims (not accused of wrongdoing against them specifically)
The Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation (mentioned in documents)
The Microsoft employee with whom Bill Gates had an affair in 2019

What action is being taken

The US Department of Justice is releasing millions of documents related to Jeffrey Epstein
Melinda French Gates is speaking publicly about the matter through an NPR podcast interview
Bill Gates is giving interviews addressing the allegations (specifically with 9News in Australia)
Bill Gates' spokesperson is publicly responding to and refuting the allegations

Why it matters

This matters because it involves prominent philanthropists and business leaders connected to one of the most notorious sex trafficking cases in recent history. The revelations strain public trust in high-profile figures and their charitable foundations, while also highlighting how associations with convicted criminals can have lasting personal and reputational consequences. The release of these documents provides greater transparency into Epstein's extensive network of powerful contacts that continued even after his 2008 conviction, which is significant for public accountability.

What's next

No explicit next steps stated in the article

Read full article from source: BBC