Bill Gates told congressional investigators that Jeffrey Epstein attempted to blackmail him over extramarital affairs, but the Microsoft co-founder flatly denied ever having sex with underage girls or visiting Epstein’s private island. The testimony, delivered before the House Oversight Committee on June 10, was released in full on June 23.
Gates said Epstein had learned about his affairs with two Russian women, bridge player Mila Antonova and nuclear physicist Karima Nigmatulina, and later a third affair with medical entrepreneur Alice Jacobs Nesselrodt. “These affairs had nothing to do with my interactions with Epstein, but they were painful for my family,” Gates told lawmakers. “Epstein was working to use information about my infidelities, in addition to many lies that he layered on top, to pressure me to re-engage with him”.
While Gates stated he was never actually blackmailed, he acknowledged Epstein appeared to be moving in that direction. “He never blackmailed me, but looking at these emails, it raises a serious probability that he contemplated blackmailing me”. Gates described a 2013 draft email Epstein wrote to himself as an apparent attempt to “rehearse” how to leverage information about Gates’ personal life.
Gates repeatedly denied any involvement in Epstein’s crimes. “I never went to his island, his ranch, or his Florida home. I have never victimized anyone,” he said in his opening statement. He denied ever being offered or having sex with underage girls, and said he never witnessed Epstein engage in sexual misconduct.
Gates acknowledged he was aware Epstein had a criminal conviction “of a sexual nature” when they met in 2011, but said he “didn’t dig into the specifics, although I probably should have”. He testified that Epstein had promised to raise billions for global health initiatives, but “his promises led to nothing,” prompting Gates to break off contact in December 2014.
“If the time I spent with Epstein lent him any credibility, I am deeply sorry,” Gates told the committee . He said he has learned “a significant lesson” about vetting associates more carefully. The billionaire characterized his relationship with Epstein as “limited” to business and said they never socialized outside those contexts.
