Bill Gates’ Ex-Wife Melinda Speaks Out After Epstein File Release

Melinda French Gates, the philanthropist and co-founder of the Gates Foundation, has spoken publicly about her reaction to references to her ex-husband, Bill Gates, in the massive new release of Justice Department documents tied to Jeffrey Epstein.

In an interview on NPR’s Wild Card podcast, she described the experience as deeply emotional and said that any remaining questions about her ex-husband’s involvement should be answered by those directly implicated, not her.

Melinda Gates Says She Recalled “Unbelievable Sadness” and Painful Memories

In her interview, French Gates said that seeing Bill’s name in the recently released files filled her with “unbelievable sadness.” The documents — part of a roughly 3 million-page release of Epstein’s personal communications and correspondence — include emails Epstein wrote to himself alleging a range of troubling interactions involving prominent figures.

French Gates acknowledged these mentions hit a personal chord because they brought back “memories of some very, very painful times” of her 27-year marriage to Gates, which ended in divorce in 2021. She also said the disclosures metaphorically evoke the plight of the women and girls victimised by Epstein, emphasising that “no girl should ever be put in the situation they were put in by Epstein.”

French Gates noted that the material stirred not just personal reflection but a broader societal reckoning. “I think we’re having a reckoning as a society,” she said, referencing the ongoing fallout from the Epstein files’ release.

What French Gates Says Should Happen

While Melinda expressed sadness about the references to her ex-husband, she made clear that she is not the one to answer questions about Bill Gates’ involvement. She said in the interview that “whatever questions remain there … those questions are for those people and for even my ex-husband. They need to answer to those things, not me.”

Her comments imply that Bill and other figures named in the documents should take responsibility for addressing the substance of the allegations and associations reflected in the files. French Gates’ remarks were backed by her spokesman’s reminder, cited by NPR and other outlets, that being named in the files “does not imply wrongdoing,” and that some claims stem from unsent or unverified emails drafted by Epstein himself.

Personal and Public Context

French Gates’ remarks also touched on her own emotional journey since the divorce. She said she has “moved on in life,” but the Epstein revelations prompted unexpected reflection because they intersect with her family’s history and past struggles. In previous interviews and public statements, she has discussed how Bill’s interactions with Epstein contributed to tensions in their marriage and influenced her decision to step away from the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation.

In the NPR interview, she also underscored empathy for Epstein’s victims, saying the renewed attention to the case brought to mind the ages of the girls affected, prompting her to reflect on their experiences. Meanwhile, a spokesperson for Bill reiterated that the allegations are false, saying the released documents show “Epstein’s frustration that he did not have an ongoing relationship with Gates.”

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