Philanthropist and businesswoman Melinda French Gates has said it is not her responsibility to respond to questions about her former husband’s past association with late convicted sex trafficker Jeffrey Epstein.
Speaking on an upcoming February 5 episode of Wild Card, hosted by Rachel Martin, Melinda said unresolved questions should be directed at those directly involved.
“Whatever questions remain there… those questions are for those people and for even my ex-husband. They need to answer to those things, not me,” she said.
She added that she is relieved to be removed from that period of her life.
“And I am so happy to be away from all the muck that was there,” she said.
The advocate for women and girls also expressed deep sympathy for Epstein’s victims, describing their experiences as “beyond heartbreaking.” She said reading about their suffering brings back painful memories from difficult moments in her marriage.
“I remember being those ages those girls were. I remember my daughters being those ages,” she said. “So, for me, it’s personally hard whenever those details come up. But I have moved on from that. I’m in a really unexpected, beautiful place in my life.”
Epstein Files and New Allegations
Recent developments have renewed public attention on Epstein’s connections to powerful figures. In December, a photo released as part of the Epstein investigation showed Bill Gates and Epstein standing together in suits, though without additional context.
On January 30, the U.S. Justice Department released more than three million additional pages of documents referencing several prominent individuals, including Gates, Elon Musk, and Donald Trump.
Among the released files were two emails Epstein sent to himself in July 2013. One contained unverified allegations claiming that Gates contracted a sexually transmitted infection from extramarital encounters. The other appeared to be a draft resignation letter written from the perspective of someone named “Boris,” criticizing Gates for ending their relationship.
The letter alleged involvement in activities described as “morally inappropriate” and “ethically unsound,” and suggested that some actions may have crossed into illegality.
Gates’ Response
A spokesperson for Bill Gates strongly denied the allegations in a statement to USA Today.
“These claims are absolutely absurd and completely false,” the statement said. “The only thing these documents demonstrate is Epstein’s frustration that he did not have an ongoing relationship with Gates and the lengths he would go to entrap and defame.”
The spokesperson did not comment on Melinda’s remarks.
Life After Divorce
Melinda and Bill Gates announced their divorce in May 2021 after 27 years of marriage. In June 2024, she also stepped away from the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, saying it was a decision she felt she needed to make for her personal growth.
