A new book, “Billionaire, Nerd, Savior, King: Bill Gates and His Quest to Shape Our World” by New York Times correspondent Anupreeta Das, has unveiled a previously unknown encounter between Melinda French Gates and Jeffrey Epstein. The book describes a dinner at Epstein’s lavish New York City mansion in 2013 that left French Gates feeling deeply uneasy.
The book details the evening, including the mansion’s opulent decor and Epstein’s unsettling behavior. French Gates, who was married to Bill Gates at the time, met Epstein only once. In a 2022 interview with CBS, she expressed her strong disapproval of Epstein’s relationship with her ex-husband, stating, “I regretted it from the second I stepped in the door. He was abhorrent. He was evil personified.” She later confided in friends about her anger towards Bill Gates for not severing ties with Epstein.
Despite the discomfort, Bill Gates was reportedly campaigning for a Nobel Peace Prize for the Gates Foundation’s work in eradicating polio. Epstein allegedly offered to help the foundation secure the prestigious award. French Gates made her displeasure with her then-husband’s connections to Epstein very clear.
Bill Gates’ office has criticized the book, claiming it includes “highly sensationalized allegations and outright falsehoods.” However, the revelations about Melinda French Gates’s discomfort with Jeffrey Epstein come amidst significant changes in her life.
Following her divorce from Bill Gates in 2021, French Gates has embraced a simpler lifestyle. In a June 2024 interview with Time, she expressed her contentment with her new neighborhood, stating, “I live in a neighborhood. Now I can walk to little stores. I can walk to the drugstore, I can walk to a restaurant. I absolutely love it.”
French Gates has also become increasingly vocal about her views on philanthropy. In July, she commented on Warren Buffett’s decision to create a charitable trust managed by his children, calling it a “good evolution of his thinking.” Her stance on philanthropy has sparked debates, with Bill Ackman, CEO of Pershing Square, responding to her criticism of his philanthropic efforts by advocating for for-profit solutions over traditional philanthropy.
Furthermore, French Gates’ political activities have also drawn attention. In June, Tesla Inc. CEO Elon Musk commented on her support for President Joe Biden, suggesting that her political leanings could impact Western civilization.
These revelations about Melinda French Gates’ encounter with Jeffrey Epstein and her subsequent life changes offer a glimpse into the complexities of her life beyond her association with Bill Gates.
