Bill Gates acknowledged past personal and professional missteps during a recent town hall meeting with employees of the Gates Foundation, including apologizing for his association with convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein, according to a report by The Wall Street Journal.

The meeting took place Feb. 24 during the foundation’s twice-yearly internal gathering. In a statement, the Gates Foundation said Gates answered questions on a range of topics, including the public release of Epstein-related documents.

“In the town hall, Bill spoke candidly, addressing several questions in detail, and took responsibility for his actions,” the foundation said.

Apology Over Epstein Relationship

According to The Wall Street Journal, which cited a recording of the meeting, Gates told staff that spending time with Epstein was a “huge mistake.” He also apologized for bringing foundation executives into meetings with Epstein.

“I apologize to other people who are drawn into this because of the mistake that I made,” Gates said, according to the newspaper.

Justice Department documents released publicly in connection with Epstein’s criminal investigation show that Gates and Epstein met multiple times after Epstein served 13 months in jail in Florida for soliciting prostitution involving a minor. Epstein later died by suicide in 2019 while awaiting trial on federal sex trafficking charges involving underage girls.

Gates has previously said the meetings were focused on philanthropy and global health initiatives. The Gates Foundation reiterated earlier this month that it did not make any payments to Epstein and did not employ him.

Affairs Acknowledged

The Journal also reported that Gates acknowledged two extramarital affairs with Russian women during the town hall. According to the report, Gates said the relationships did not involve any of Epstein’s victims.

“I did nothing illicit. I saw nothing illicit,” Gates reportedly told foundation staff.

Justice Department records released in prior document disclosures include photographs of Gates posing with women whose faces were redacted. According to the Journal, Gates said those photos were taken at Epstein’s request following meetings and involved Epstein’s assistants.

“To be clear I never spent any time with victims, the women around him,” Gates added, according to the report.

Fallout and Divorce

Epstein’s records also indicate he attempted to mediate a dispute between Gates and a former adviser, Boris Nikolic, in 2013. An email written by Epstein referenced tensions between Gates and his aides and mentioned a personal health issue involving Gates.

Gates’ relationship with Epstein became a point of scrutiny following the 2021 divorce of Bill Gates and Melinda French Gates after 27 years of marriage. French Gates departed the Gates Foundation in 2024.

In a Feb. 5 episode of NPR’s “Wild Card” podcast, French Gates addressed lingering questions about her former husband’s associations.

“Whatever questions remain there of what I don't – can't even begin to know all of it – those questions are for those people and for even my ex-husband. They need to answer to those things, not me,” she said.

Foundation and Public Impact

The Gates Foundation, established in 2000, remains one of the world’s largest philanthropic organizations focused on global health, education and poverty reduction. It is currently chaired by Gates.

The Wall Street Journal report surfaced shortly after Gates canceled plans to attend India’s AI Impact Summit on Feb. 19, where he had been scheduled to deliver a keynote address.

While Gates has previously acknowledged that meeting Epstein was a mistake, the reported apology during the internal town hall marks one of his more direct acknowledgments to foundation staff.

The foundation did not provide additional comment beyond its initial statement.

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