Melinda French Gates is speaking publicly about newly released Jeffrey Epstein documents that once again entangle her ex-husband, Bill Gates, in the disgraced financier’s orbit—describing the revelations as deeply painful but no longer hers to answer for.
The documents, released last week by the U.S. Department of Justice, include years-old draft emails Epstein wrote to himself in which he claimed that Bill Gates had contracted a sexually transmitted infection during an alleged affair and sought Epstein’s help covering it up. The emails include graphic and unverified accusations that Gates’ spokesperson has categorically denied.
A spokesperson for Gates, 70, dismissed the claims as “absolutely absurd and completely false,” saying the documents reflect Epstein’s frustration at failing to maintain a relationship with the Microsoft co-founder and his attempts to defame him. Gates has previously acknowledged meeting Epstein but has said doing so was a mistake and that he never engaged in wrongdoing.
Appearing on NPR’s Wild Card podcast, Melinda French Gates, 61, addressed the resurfacing allegations with visible restraint and sorrow. When asked directly about the new Epstein files, she emphasized that accountability lies elsewhere. “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,” she said. “They need to answer to those things, not me.”
Melinda spoke broadly about Epstein’s crimes and the devastation inflicted on young girls and women, calling the situation “beyond heartbreaking.” She said the renewed attention dredged up memories of painful moments in her marriage, but stressed that she has moved on. “I am so happy to be away from all the muck that was there,” she said.
The comments echo themes from her 2024 memoir The Next Day, in which she wrote about mounting turmoil in her marriage by 2019 and 2020, including nightmares and a growing sense that she needed to leave. Melinda and Gates announced their divorce in 2021 after 27 years of marriage and three children.
In the NPR interview, Melinda said the Epstein revelations fill her with sadness—not just personal grief, but sorrow for the victims who endured Epstein’s abuse. “No girl should ever be put in the situation that they were put in by Epstein,” she said, adding that seeing survivors speak publicly has only reinforced her hope for justice.
Gates has not been accused of any crime in connection with Epstein, and his spokesperson declined to comment on Melinda’s latest remarks, instead referring back to prior denials.
