People still can't stop talking about it. Every time Bill Gates pops up in a headline about climate change or global health, the comments section inevitably devolves into questions about those dinners in New York. Honestly, it’s one of those stories that just won’t go away, mostly because the timeline is so messy and the explanations have felt a bit... thin.
You’ve probably heard the basics. A billionaire software titan meets a convicted sex offender. It sounds like a bad thriller plot, but for Bill Gates, it’s been a PR nightmare that arguably contributed to the end of his 27-year marriage.
Why did Bill Gates meet Jeffrey Epstein anyway?
The official line from the Gates camp has always been "philanthropy."
Basically, Gates says he was looking for more ways to fund global health initiatives. Epstein, despite having already served time in 2008 for soliciting a minor for prostitution, was still deeply embedded in the "high society" of New York and Florida. He pitched himself as a guy who could unlock billions in donations through his massive network of wealthy friends.
Gates told CNN back in 2021 that he had "several dinners" with Epstein. He was hoping that what Epstein said about getting billions for global health might actually materialize. When it didn't? Gates says he cut ties.
But "several dinners" might be putting it lightly. According to reporting from The New York Times, the meetings started in 2011—three years after Epstein’s first conviction—and continued for several years. They met at Epstein’s Manhattan townhouse. They flew together on Epstein’s private jet from New Jersey to Palm Beach in 2013. For most people, that's not just a casual business meeting; that's a connection that looks a lot more established.
What Melinda French Gates had to say
If you want to know how weird these meetings were, look at Melinda French Gates. She hasn't held back. In a 2022 interview with Gayle King, she described Epstein as "evil personified."
She actually met him once. Just once.
Melinda wanted to see who this person was that her husband was spending time with. She said she had nightmares afterward. She told Bill she was uncomfortable with him. She made it clear she didn't want them associated.
According to reports, Bill kept meeting him anyway.
By the time the news of these meetings became public in 2019, it was reportedly a major factor in Melinda starting to consult with divorce lawyers. It wasn't just about one thing, but the Epstein connection seemed to be a massive crack in the foundation of their trust.
The 2025 "Epstein Files" and New Revelations
Fast forward to late 2025. The Justice Department, following the Epstein Files Transparency Act, released a massive trove of documents and photos. It reignited the whole conversation.
New photos surfaced of Gates at an event with Epstein’s "entourage," including Prince Andrew. While Epstein himself wasn't in those specific frames, the context was clear: Gates was part of that orbit for longer than he initially admitted.
Then there were the emails. Some messages from 2017 showed Epstein trying to bridge the gap with Gates through an advisor. The advisor allegedly told Epstein that Gates "loves you" and "he feels bad" that Melinda wouldn't let him talk to Epstein anymore.
Whether those were just polite brush-offs from an advisor or a reflection of Gates' actual feelings is still debated. But it paints a picture of a relationship that Epstein, at least, thought was much closer than "just a few dinners."
The Blackmail Rumors
One of the more salacious details that came out recently involves a bridge player named Mila Antonova.
Reportedly, Gates had an affair with her around 2010. Epstein met her later and ended up paying for her coding bootcamp. In 2017, when Epstein was trying to get Gates to join a multi-billion dollar charitable fund and Gates was saying no, Epstein allegedly sent an email.
The email basically said: "I know about the affair, and I’ve got the receipts for this girl's tuition."
It looked like a classic blackmail attempt. Gates didn’t bite, and the fund never happened, but it shows just how much Epstein was trying to leverage his knowledge of the private lives of the elite to keep them in his pocket.
A Substantial Error in Judgment
Gates has called the whole thing a "huge mistake." He’s admitted it gave Epstein a level of credibility he didn't deserve.
But why did a man who is arguably one of the smartest people on the planet ignore the red flags?
Some analysts suggest it was a mix of hubris and a laser-focus on his goals. Gates wanted money for polio eradication and global health. He saw Epstein as a tool to get it. He likely thought he could handle the "unsavory" parts of the deal without getting dirty.
He was wrong.
The fallout has been significant:
- Public Trust: His image as the "kindly billionaire" took a massive hit.
- Foundation Impact: While the Gates Foundation still does incredible work, the shadow of the founder's personal choices remains.
- Divorce: It was a primary catalyst for one of the most expensive and high-profile splits in history.
What we can learn from this
The biggest takeaway here isn't just about Bill Gates. It's about the "halo effect" of extreme wealth.
People like Epstein survive because they make themselves useful to powerful people. They provide access, they provide luxury, and they provide "solutions" to problems that billionaires have. When you're that rich, you often stop listening to the people around you—like a spouse—who are telling you that something feels wrong.
If you’re looking to stay informed on how this continues to play out, keep an eye on the House Oversight Committee’s ongoing release of the "Epstein Files." There are still thousands of pages to be unredacted.
For now, the best move is to look at the primary sources. Don't rely on social media clips. Read the actual court filings and the investigative reporting from places like The Wall Street Journal and The New York Times. They have spent years fact-checking the flight logs and the email chains that define this era of Gates' life.
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The reality is that "philanthropy" is a great goal, but who you choose to partner with matters just as much as the cause itself. Reputation is built over decades and can be dismantled by a few dinners at the wrong person's house.