Bill Gates has made a series of deeply personal admissions about his private life during a congressional hearing examining his relationship with convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein.
According to transcripts released this week, the Microsoft founder, 70, acknowledged multiple extramarital affairs and spoke candidly about the impact they had on his marriage to ex-wife Melinda French Gates.
The hearing, which took place before the House Oversight Committee earlier this month, focused primarily on Bill' s past association with Jeffrey, a relationship that has remained under scrutiny since the financier's death in 2019.
© Getty ImagesAffairs discussed during hearing
During questioning, Bill confirmed that he had relationships with medical entrepreneur Dr Alice Jacobs Nesselrodt and Russian nuclear scientist Karima Nigmatulina.
The billionaire testified that he informed Melinda about the relationships before their divorce in 2021, admitting that the conversations had been "very distressing" for her.
According to the testimony, Bill said he first disclosed an affair with Dr Jacobs before later discussing his relationships with Nigmatulina and Russian bridge player Mila Antonova.
© GettyWhile Bill said the revelations were painful for his wife, he noted that divorce was not being discussed at that stage of their marriage.
Questions about Jeffrey Epstein
Much of the hearing centred on Bill's friendship with Jeffrey, which he has repeatedly described as one of the greatest regrets of his life.
The philanthropist told lawmakers that he wishes he had never met Jeffrey and has previously apologised publicly for maintaining contact with him after the financier had already been convicted as a sex offender.
Lawmakers questioned Bill about emails involving Jeffrey, Dr Jacobs and longtime Gates Foundation adviser Boris Nikolic.
© Getty ImagesWhen asked about references to Dr Jacobs in correspondence uncovered during the investigation, Bill acknowledged that his affair with her could explain why others believed the relationship should remain private.
"There was a time when I had an affair with Dr Jacobs," he told the committee.
Melinda's previous comments
Melinda has previously spoken publicly about the role Epstein played in the breakdown of their marriage.
In interviews following the couple's divorce, she admitted she was deeply troubled by Bill's relationship with the financier and described meeting Jeffrey as a mistake.
The former couple announced the end of their marriage in May 2021 after 27 years together. They share three children: Jennifer, Rory and Phoebe.
Despite their separation, both have continued working independently on philanthropic initiatives after stepping back from their joint leadership roles within the Gates Foundation.
© InstagramGates addresses blackmail speculation
The hearing also revisited claims that Jeffrey may have attempted to use information about Bill's personal life as leverage.
Bill denied ever being blackmailed but acknowledged that some correspondence appeared to suggest Epstein was considering that possibility.
"I was not blackmailed," Bill told lawmakers.
However, he added that when reviewing the emails, "it looks like Mr Epstein's brainstorming was going in that direction."
He also denied discussing Jeffrey with the women involved in the affairs and rejected suggestions that Epstein had exerted influence over him.
