Billionaire philanthropist Bill Gates has reportedly admitted to having extramarital affairs with two Russian women during his marriage to Melinda French Gates. The revelation came during a town hall meeting with employees of the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation on Tuesday, February 24, 2026, as reported by The Wall Street Journal and other outlets.

Gates specified that one affair was with a Russian bridge player he met at bridge events, and the other was with a Russian nuclear physicist encountered through business activities. This admission resurfaced amidst renewed scrutiny over his past association with convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein. Gates acknowledged that his former science advisor, Boris Nikolic, informed Epstein about these relationships, information which Epstein later attempted to leverage.

Addressing the foundation staff, Gates expressed deep regret over his connection with Epstein, calling it a “huge mistake” and apologizing for involving foundation executives in meetings with the disgraced financier. He firmly denied any involvement in or knowledge of Epstein's illegal activities or spending time with his victims, stating, “I did nothing illicit. I saw nothing illicit.” His ex-wife, Melinda French Gates, had previously voiced skepticism about Epstein, which she indicated played a role in their 2021 divorce.