Bill Gates Says He “Regrets Every Minute” With Jeffrey Epstein

Bill Gates, the billionaire tech founder and philanthropist, has spoken out publicly for the first time since the U.S. Department of Justice released nearly 3 million pages of documents tied to the investigation into Jeffrey Epstein.

In a broadcast interview with 9News Australia, Gates described his past interactions with the late convicted sex offender as a serious mistake and “foolish,” while disputing specific allegations attributed to emails in the files.

What Gates Said About Epstein

In his February 4, 2026, interview, Gates reflected on meetings he had with Epstein between 2011 and 2014 — years after Epstein’s 2008 conviction on sex-offense charges — and acknowledged that choosing to spend time with him was ill-advised.

Gates said he “regrets every minute” he ever spent with Epstein, calling the association a “dead end” and apologizing for it publicly. He reiterated that his meetings were limited to dinners and discussions and were driven by Epstein’s promise to connect him with potential donors for global health initiatives — an effort Gates now dismisses as misguided.

He also addressed specific draft emails included in the DOJ file release that allege misconduct by Gates, including unfounded claims about extramarital relationships and other behavior, saying that those emails were never sent and are false fabrications likely created by Epstein. “Apparently, Jeffrey wrote an email to himself,” Gates said, questioning the motives behind the content.

Denials and Clarifications

Gates firmly denied any involvement in criminal or sexual wrongdoing linked to Epstein. He stated unequivocally that he never visited Epstein’s private island, never engaged in the types of misconduct laid out in the draft emails, and did not meet women through Epstein. He emphasised that the nature of his contact with Epstein was limited, business-oriented, and ended long ago.

A spokesperson for Gates echoed these denials, telling media that the released documents primarily demonstrate Epstein’s frustration at not maintaining an ongoing relationship with Gates and that they do not reflect actual behaviour on his part.

Context of the Epstein Files

The Epstein Files Transparency Act has compelled the Justice Department to make public an expansive collection of records tied to Epstein’s investigation, including emails, photos, and videos. High-profile names — from tech leaders to political figures — appear in the released materials, often in contexts that do not indicate criminal conduct but nonetheless draw public attention.

Officials have stressed that inclusion in the files does not equate to guilt or legal wrongdoing. A senior DOJ official recently stated that although the files contain troubling material, they do not provide sufficient evidence to pursue new criminal charges as of now.

Melinda French Gates’ Reaction

Gates’ ex-wife, Melinda French Gates, also responded to the file release in a separate interview, describing the resurfaced details as “very, very painful” and evoking difficult memories from their marriage. She spoke about the emotional distress caused by having Gates’ name appear in documents tied to Epstein, calling for accountability and highlighting empathy for survivors of Epstein’s crimes.

While Melinda did not provide specific commentary on her ex-husband’s actions, she expressed support for victims and emphasised the broader societal reckoning prompted by the document disclosures.

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