Explosive new text messages have revealed the startling nature of the relationship between Bill Gates and the convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein, detailing how the Microsoft founder's former wife, Melinda, explicitly forbade him from communicating with the disgraced financier.
The Forbidden Friendship
According to a trove of documents released this month, the depth of the connection between the tech tycoon and Epstein was laid bare in a series of text exchanges from 2017. The messages, sent by an adviser to Bill Gates, show that Epstein was attempting to discuss a potential business venture with Gates. However, the proposed collaboration never came to fruition, with the adviser explicitly stating that this was partly because Melinda Gates would not allow her husband to speak with Epstein.
The adviser's texts, as reported by CBS News, were direct. 'He wants to talk to you but his wife won't let him,' one message to Epstein read. In subsequent texts, the adviser added that 'he loves you', 'he says hi', and that Gates felt 'bad' about abandoning their proposals. The communication concluded with the blunt assessment: 'He thought great idea but his wife wouldn't allow.'
A Marriage Fractures
The revelation provides crucial context for the eventual breakdown of Bill and Melinda Gates' marriage. The couple, who had been together for 27 years, finalised their divorce in August 2021. In the aftermath, Melinda Gates publicly confirmed that her husband's association with Jeffrey Epstein was a significant reason for their separation.
Speaking to Vanity Fair at the time, she stated unequivocally, 'I did not like that he had meetings with Jeffrey Epstein, no. I made that clear to him.' She was also careful to note that she herself had only met with the convicted sex trafficker 'exactly one time'.
Regret and Repercussions
While Bill Gates has never been charged with any crime and continues to deny all allegations of impropriety, he has since expressed profound regret over his interactions with Epstein. In a 2022 statement issued to CBS News, Gates addressed the controversy directly.
'Meeting with Epstein was a mistake that I regret deeply,' he said. 'It was a substantial error in judgement.' Despite the personal turmoil, Gates reaffirmed his commitment to the philanthropic work of the Gates Foundation, which he continues to run in partnership with Melinda, focusing on reducing global inequities.
This story remains developing, with further updates expected as more documents come to light.
