Bill Gates of Microsoft, MSFT, has said he was ‘foolish’ to spend time with Jeffrey Epstein

Bill Gates isn’t holding back when it comes to his biggest regrets, openly admitting that his ties to Jeffrey Epstein were a “huge mistake.”

This revelation follows another significant regret—the Microsoft co-founder’s 2021 divorce from Melinda Gates, which led to a billion-dollar settlement after 27 years of marriage.

Bill Gates Called His Ties to Jeffrey Epstein ‘Foolish’

Reflecting on his past decisions, Gates acknowledged the lasting consequences of his association with Epstein. In a candid interview, the 69-year-old admitted that it was “foolish” to have spent time with the late convicted sex offender.

Gates initially hoped that his connection with Epstein would support global health philanthropy efforts, but as he bluntly put it:

“In fact, it failed to do that—it was just a huge mistake.”

His ties to Epstein became a source of scandal, intensifying over time.

According to a 2023 report by The Wall Street Journal, Epstein allegedly threatened to expose an affair between Gates and Russian bridge player Mila Antonova in 2017, while Gates was still married to Melinda French Gates. Epstein even demanded reimbursement for funding Antonova’s enrollment in a software coding school.

When asked whether these controversies had changed his approach to relationships, Gates told WSJ:

“Definitely. I mean, are you kidding?”

Epstein’s Influence Stirred Tension in Gates’ Marriage

A spokesperson for Gates previously told PEOPLE that his meetings with Epstein were “solely for philanthropic reasons” and that Gates “never had any financial dealings” with him. The statement also acknowledged that Epstein attempted to leverage their past interactions to pressure Gates.

Gates first encountered Epstein after he had already served jail time for soliciting prostitution from a minor. Their meetings reportedly became a point of contention in Gates’ marriage to Melinda.

A source told PEOPLE:

“Epstein is definitely a sore spot. That’s a long time for issues to fester.”