Bill Gates admitted on Wednesday that it was a 'huge mistake' to spend time with pedophile Jeffrey Epstein and revealed that they shared 'several dinners.'
Gates, 65, also revealed that his divorce from ex-wife Melinda French Gates 'was a source of great personal sadness' for the Microsoft co-founder in an extensive and wide-ranging interview with Anderson Cooper on his CNN show.
Gates' relationship with Epstein dates back to 2011 but it became a point of contention in September 2013 between him and Melinda - who has been said to have been concerned about his relationship with the convicted pedophile.
Melinda reportedly told friends she was furious about their alleged friendship and wanted nothing to do with Epstein - and has been reported to have hired divorce lawyers in 2019 after meetings that Gates had with Epstein became public.
Bill Gates, 65, made a number of bombshell revelations during an extensive and wide-ranging interview with Anderson Cooper on his CNN show
He revealed that his divorce from ex-wife Melinda French Gates 'was a source of great personal sadness'
Gates also admitted on Wednesday that it was a 'huge mistake' to spend time with pedophile Jeffrey Epstein and revealed that they shared 'several dinners'
Bill Gates explains his past relationship with Jeffrey Epstein, saying they shared “several dinners” in which he hoped to raise “billions of philanthropy.”
“When it looked like that wasn’t a real thing, that relationship ended… it was a huge mistake to spend time with him.” pic.twitter.com/ljBMYD94Ei
— Anderson Cooper 360° (@AC360) August 5, 2021
Gates has been reported to have visited Epstein's home numerous times and even talked with him about his 'toxic' marriage while the pedophile allegedly gave him advice on ending his marriage, according to the Daily Beast.
The billionaire told Cooper that he also 'certainly' had concerns about Epstein, who had pleaded guilty and was convicted in 2008 of procuring a child for prostitution and of soliciting a prostitute - years before the tech mogul met the financier.
'I had several dinners with him hoping that what he said about getting billions of philanthropy for global health through contacts he had might emerge. When it looked like that wasn't a real thing that relationship ended,' Gates said.
'It was a huge mistake to spend time with him and give him the credibility of being there. There were lots of others in that same situation, but I made a mistake.'
A photo shows Bill and Melinda Gates while they were dating before getting married
Gates' spokesperson told Insider in June that Gates had 'absolutely no business partnership or personal friendship' with Epstein, and any meetings between the two were about philanthropy.
'It is extremely disappointing that there have been so many lies published about the cause, the circumstances and the timeline of Bill Gates's divorce,' the spokesperson said.
'The rumors and speculation surrounding Mr. Gates are becoming increasingly absurd and it's unfortunate that people who have little to no knowledge are being characterized as 'sources.'
Cooper also asked Gates if he had 'regrets' about recent allegations that he engaged in workplace misbehavior - though the billionaire did not provide extensive comment responding to those claims.
'Certainly everyone does [have regrets] but it's a time of reflection, and at this point, I need to go forward,' Gates said.
'My work is very important to me, within the family we'll heal as best we can and learn from what's happening.'
Maria Klawe, a former Microsoft board member from 2009 to 2015, right, said that 'a person like Bill Gates thinks the usual rules of behavior don't apply to him'
Klawe said that Gates behaved as if he was the 'smartest person in the room' and that diversity was not something Gates 'was interested in hearing about'
In June, four Microsoft employees accused Gates of being an office 'bully' whose catchphrase was 'that's the stupidest f*****g idea I've ever heard' and claimed he pursued sexual affairs with employees and journalists.
Gates' reputation as a hot-tempered boss began not long after he launched tech giant Microsoft with childhood friend Paul Allen in 1975, Insider reported. A spokesperson for the billionaire has denied he mistreated employees.
A former Microsoft executive who spoke on condition of anonymity told the outlet that 'having a meeting with Bill was just an opportunity to get yelled at, so I tried to avoid that.'
Gates would even allegedly track his employees by memorizing their license plates, according to the outlet.
Maria Klawe, a former Microsoft board member, said 'a person like Bill Gates thinks the usual rules of behavior don't apply to him' and accused him of being unreceptive to suggestions about improving diversity.
Klawe said that Gates behaved as if he was the 'smartest person in the room' and that diversity was not something Gates 'was interested in hearing about.'
Bill Gates, and Microsoft co-founder Paul Allen, are pictured in 1987. Allen said in his memoir that Gates tried to dilute his equity in the company because he was 'unproductive' while dealing with his first bout of cancer
Bill Gates, not pictured, still went on annual vacations to the Outer Banks of North Carolina with his ex-girlfriend Ann Winblad, pictured, the software entrepreneur whom he had dated from 1984 to 1987, even after marrying Melinda Gates
Gates had an alleged affair with a married woman 13 years older than him when he was 27 years old
She said that, when female executives would suggest diversity initiatives, Gates would allegedly respond with: 'Are you trying to effing destroy the company?'
A spokesperson for Gates told Insider that Klawe's allegations are a 'gross mischaracterization.'
Gates' relationships and encounters with employees have long been a topic of discussion surrounding the billionaire, the outlet noted.
Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation CEO Mark Suzman announced in June that Bill Gates and Melinda French Gates, who serve as the foundation's two co-chairs, decided to expand the number of trustees overseeing the foundation's governance and decision-making as a family charitable trust.
'The additional trustees will bring new perspectives, help guide resource allocation and strategic direction, and ensure the stability and sustainability of the foundation,' a news release from the announcement reads.
The news came after the couple announced they would be divorcing in May - raising concerns about the future of the foundation amid their separation.
Suzman noted that Gates and French Gates 'are fully committed to continuing to work constructively together at the foundation to advance its program and policy objectives.'
'However, they have also agreed to an additional step to ensure the continuity of the foundation's work: if after two years either decides they cannot continue to work together as co-chairs, French Gates will resign her position as co-chair and trustee,' the release reads.
'In such a case, French Gates would receive personal resources from Gates for her philanthropic work. These resources would be completely separate from the foundation's endowment, which would not be affected.'
In the release, Melinda noted she was 'deeply proud' of what the foundation and its partners have accomplished in the last two decades.
'Their faith that progress is possible fuels mine. These governance changes bring more diverse perspectives and experience to the foundation's leadership,' she said.
'I believe deeply in the foundation's mission and remain fully committed as co-chair to its work.'
The foundation noted that its co-chairs expect to appoint individuals 'who will further enhance the diversity, experience, and expertise of the foundation's leadership and continue to uphold a culture of integrity.'
Suzman and Connie Collingsworth, the foundation's chief operating officer and chief
