Microsoft co-founder Bill Gates told a US congressional committee that Jeffrey Epstein may have considered using information about Gates’ personal life to pressure him into maintaining contact.
Gates appeared before the House Oversight Committee in a closed-door, transcribed interview on June 10 as lawmakers continued their examination of Epstein’s network and associations.
During the testimony, Gates acknowledged having extramarital affairs with three women. He said Epstein was aware of two of those relationships and may have tried to use that knowledge as leverage. Gates identified the women as bridge player Mila Antonova, nuclear physicist Karima Nigmatulina and medical entrepreneur Alice Jacobs Nesselrodt. He said the affairs were unrelated to his meetings with Epstein but admitted that they had caused pain to his family.
He told lawmakers that Epstein never directly blackmailed him. However, Gates said a review of emails linked to Epstein raised concerns that the late financier may have been considering such a move.
The testimony reportedly included discussion of a 2013 email draft involving Gates’ former adviser Boris Nikolic. Gates said the message appeared to show Epstein considering how personal details could be used to influence him.
Gates also rejected allegations that he had contracted a sexually transmitted infection or secretly provided medication to another person. He said he may have previously expressed concern about his health but maintained that he never had an STD and never gave anyone medicine covertly.
The billionaire philanthropist said he met Epstein around 12 to 14 times and had two video calls with him over roughly four years. Gates said the meetings were largely connected to philanthropy, as Epstein had claimed he could introduce him to wealthy donors for global health projects. He said those promises did not lead to any funding or philanthropic partnerships.
He again described his association with Epstein as a serious mistake and said he had no knowledge of Epstein’s criminal activities. Gates has denied any involvement in Epstein’s crimes.
The renewed scrutiny has also extended to the Gates Foundation, which has announced an external review of its past interactions with Epstein. The review follows the release of additional Epstein-related documents and emails involving people connected to the foundation.