Bill Gates has acknowledged that Jeffrey Epstein sought a “personal relationship” with him, as UK charities face mounting pressure to review donations received from the Microsoft co-founder. The admission, made in an interview with CNN, marks the first time Gates has publicly detailed the nature of his interactions with the convicted sex offender.
Speaking to Anderson Cooper, Gates said: “I had several dinners with him, you know, hoping that what he said about getting billions of philanthropy for global health through his contacts would emerge. It was a huge mistake to spend time with him, to give him the credibility of being there.”
When asked directly whether Epstein sought a personal relationship, Gates replied: “He wanted to, but it wasn’t something that I was interested in.” He did not elaborate on the nature of that personal relationship.
The admission comes as the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation faces renewed scrutiny over its association with Epstein. The foundation has previously stated that Gates met Epstein for philanthropic discussions but ended contact in 2013 after realising the relationship was not productive.
In the UK, several charities have begun reviewing donations from Gates amid concerns about his ties to Epstein. The Charities Commission, the regulator for England and Wales, has confirmed it is in contact with organisations that have received Gates funding. A spokesperson said: “We are aware of media reports and are in contact with the charities concerned to ensure they are complying with their legal duties.”
The charities under scrutiny include the Wellcome Trust and the Children’s Investment Fund Foundation, both of which have received significant sums from the Gates Foundation. The Wellcome Trust declined to comment, while the Children’s Investment Fund Foundation said it was “carefully reviewing” its relationship.
Gates’s admissions are likely to intensify pressure on the charities to distance themselves from the billionaire philanthropist. Critics argue that accepting Gates money now risks tainting their work given his connection to Epstein.
Epstein died in prison in 2019 while awaiting trial on federal sex trafficking charges. He had previously been convicted in 2008 of soliciting a minor for prostitution.
The Gates Foundation has sought to downplay the relationship, but the latest disclosure raises fresh questions about the judgement of one of the world’s most prominent philanthropists. Gates stepped down from the foundation’s board in 2020 amid an investigation into his own conduct, which included an affair with a Microsoft employee.
The fallout from the Epstein scandal continues to reverberate through elite circles, with several high-profile figures facing reputational damage. Gates’s admission is likely to be seized upon by critics who question the moral authority of billionaires involved in global development.
