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Bill Gates recently opened up about his conversations with Jeffrey Epstein in an interview with *The Wall Street Journal*. Calling their meetings a “huge mistake,” he explained that he initially engaged with the disgraced financier to explore philanthropic opportunities but ultimately realized it was a distraction from his work on global health initiatives. Epstein, who died by suicide in 2019 following legal troubles related to sex trafficking and conspiracy charges, sent an email in 2017 threatening Gates if their relationship ended, though no payment was made as per their agreement.
Gates denied any financial dealings with Epstein, emphasizing that the meetings were a misstep. Epstein had previously targeted him to leverage their relationship against him, according to the newspaper’s report. Additionally, there was tension between Bill and Melinda regarding Epstein’s past, as reported by an insider in 2021, who described it as a sore spot that had simmered for years.
The foundation they established together faced legal troubles following Epstein’s death, with Gates acknowledging that their early interactions were fraught with complications. The interviews shed light on the personal and professional fallout from these meetings, underscoring the complexities of working with such high-profile figures.
Source: https://people.com/bill-gates-addresses-jeffrey-epstein-friendship-8780614