In a public conversation for the first time since announcing their separation in May last year, Melinda Gates, the ex-wife of billionaire Bill Gates, revealed the reason behind her decision to split from the Microsoft founder. The 57-year-old stated that she expressed discomfort regarding the convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein after the two couples met in 2013, emphasizing that Bill continued his relationship with Epstein despite her concerns.
In an interview with CBC, she elaborated that many factors contributed to her decision to divorce, highlighting that the primary reason was her dissatisfaction with meetings with Epstein.
She recounted, "I went to meet Epstein because I wanted to know who this man was," adding, "I regretted that from the second I walked in the door." She described the experience as "disgusting and evil," stating, "I was haunted by nightmares afterward." She expressed her heartbreak for young women, stating, "I am a middle-aged woman... I am horrified for these young women... It’s dreadful," according to The Telegraph.
It is noted that Bill had a relationship with the convicted sex offender and met with him alongside Melinda on several occasions, including a late-night visit to his Manhattan home, where they were joined by the former Miss Sweden, as reported by The New York Times.
Bill had previously written in an email to colleagues after their first meeting in 2011: "His lifestyle is very different and interesting... even though it won't work with me." However, he did not elaborate on this message after the divorce.
In a previous statement, the American technology mogul admitted that his relationship with Jeffrey caused disagreements with his ex-wife and partner Melinda. He described his repeated dinners with Epstein as a "huge mistake," adding that Melinda was "worried" about this relationship.
In an interview with CNN last summer, Bill stated that "Epstein led me to believe falsely that he would facilitate donors for the global relief efforts that I champion," and he mentioned dining with Epstein several times in hopes of securing billions of dollars in donations through his contacts. He concluded, "When it became clear this would not happen, the relationship ended, but it was wrong to spend time with him and give him credibility," admitting, "There were others in my position, but I made a mistake."
It’s noteworthy that Bill and Melinda announced their separation after 27 years of marriage in a statement released on Bill Gates' Twitter account on May 3, 2021. The couple has three children, the youngest of whom is 18 years old.
