Newly released DOJ documents include draft emails from Jeffrey Epstein that reference Bill Gates and allege Gates sought Epstein's help after contracting an STD; Gates' spokesperson calls the claims "absolutely absurd and completely false."
Melinda French Gates told NPR the disclosures are "heartbreaking" and reopen "very, very painful times" from her marriage, but said she has moved on and hopes survivors find justice. The full NPR Wild Card episode was scheduled to air Thursday, Feb. 5.
Newly released documents tied to convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein have again drawn public attention to Bill Gates and prompted a response from his ex-wife, Melinda French Gates. The files — made public last week by the U.S. Department of Justice — include draft emails written by Epstein in which he alleges Bill Gates sought his help after contracting a sexually transmitted infection. Gates' team has strongly denied the claims.
One draft email dated July 18, 2013, alleges that Gates asked Epstein to "please delete the emails regarding your std, your request that I provide you antibiotics that you can surreptitiously give to Melinda, and the description of your penis," and describes Gates approaching Epstein "with tears in your eyes." A spokesperson for Bill Gates, 70, called Epstein's claims "absolutely absurd and completely false," adding that the documents reflect Epstein's attempts to entrap and defame people he was frustrated he did not have ongoing relationships with.
Speaking on NPR's Wild Card podcast with host Rachel Martin, Melinda French Gates, 61, addressed the newly publicized material and its personal impact. She described the revelations as heartbreaking and said they reopen "very, very painful times" from her marriage, while stressing that she has moved on.
"I think we're having a reckoning as a society, right? No girl, no girl should ever be put in the situation that they were put in by Epstein," Melinda said. She added that reading the details brings back memories and sadness, especially as she thinks of survivors and young women speaking out.
Melinda also emphasized that outstanding questions about Epstein's network and the conduct of those around him "are for those people and for even my ex-husband. They need to answer to those things, not me." She said she is relieved to be "away from all the muck that was there" and hopes the survivors find justice.
Bill Gates has previously said his meetings with Epstein were a mistake and that he was "foolish to spend any time" with him while seeking charitable support. He has not been accused of any crime in connection with Epstein's offenses. Melinda and Bill Gates announced their divorce in 2021; Melinda's memoir, The Next Day, discusses turmoil in their relationship and references both infidelity and the Gates-Epstein connection.
The full episode of Wild Card was scheduled to air Thursday, Feb. 5, in which Martin also planned to ask Melinda about forgiveness. As the reporting and public document releases continue, Melinda framed her response around concern for survivors and the broader social reckoning surrounding Epstein's crimes.
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