Bill Gates admits that meeting with Epstein was a serious mistake and apologizes.

SEATTLE (IPU NEWS ) — Microsoft co-founder **Bill Gates** said he regrets “every minute” he spent with the late financier **Jeffrey Epstein** and called it “a mistake” to have agreed to meet with him in the past, according to statements made in a recent interview.

Gates offered a public apology and said he was “foolish” to have had several meetings with Epstein between 2011 and 2014, when the tech entrepreneur was no longer married to Melinda French Gates and Epstein had already served a sentence for sex crimes.

“It was a mistake to meet with him. I deeply regret it,” Gates said, explaining that the meetings were limited to a few dinners where they discussed potential philanthropic donations and projects related to global health.

### Meetings After Epstein's Conviction

The contacts between Gates and Epstein have been the subject of public scrutiny for years, especially because they occurred after Epstein was convicted of crimes related to the sexual exploitation of minors in 2008.

Gates insisted that the meetings did not continue or lead to any collaborations. “No philanthropic relationship materialized,” he said, while reiterating that it was a “lapse in judgment.”

### Denial of Links to Criminal Activities

During the interview, Gates categorically denied having any connection to Epstein's criminal activities. He also rejected accusations that arose in emails attributed to the financier that suggested closer ties.

The businessman stated that he never visited Epstein's private island or participated in events related to his inner circle. “I was never there and had no connection to what he did,” he said.

### Public Repercussions

The statements come amid renewed media interest in the Epstein case and his connections to influential figures in the political, business, and social worlds. Although Gates has addressed the issue on previous occasions, this more direct apology has once again put the spotlight on the relationship and the decisions he made in meeting with the financier. Analysts note that the episode remains a sensitive point for the tech mogul's public image, as he has attempted to distance himself from any association with Epstein and his circle.

Gates concluded that the meetings were a lapse in judgment that he would not repeat. "It shouldn't have happened," he said, acknowledging that he underestimated the impact these encounters would have on his reputation and public perception.