Bill Gates admits his relationship with Jeffrey Epstein was a ‘huge mistake’

Microsoft founder Bill Gates has admitted he feels 'foolish' for spending time with Jeffrey Epstein.

Convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein - who died by suicide in prison aged 66 in August 2019 - attempted to blackmail the Microsoft founder over an alleged intimate relationship with a Russian bridge player, a report by the Wall Street Journal revealed in 2023.

In 2013, it's reported Epstein - who was awaiting trial on federal conspiracy and sex trafficking charges at the time of his death - tried to strong-arm Gates to invest in a multi-billion-dollar charitable fund.

When Gates refused, Epstein allegedly tried to use his knowledge of Gates' 2010 affair with a Russian woman named Mila Antonova.

A spokesperson for Gates told PEOPLE at the time: "Mr. Gates met with Epstein solely for philanthropic purposes. Having failed repeatedly to draw Mr. Gates beyond these matters, Epstein tried unsuccessfully to leverage a past relationship to threaten Mr. Gates.

"Mr. Gates never had any financial dealings with Epstein. As Bill has said before, it was a mistake to have ever met him."

And in an interview with the Wall Street Journal, Gates has since doubled down on his comments, noting 'in retrospect' it was 'foolish to spend any time with him,' opening about why he even associated with Epstein the first place.

Jeffrey Epstein was a convicted sex offender (Kypros/Getty Images)

Gates met with Epstein on multiple occasions, The New York Times reporting on at least three taking place at Epstein's Manhattan townhouse beginning in 2011.

In an interview published on January 24 and shared to YouTube, Gates explained: "He sort of got time with various people by spending time with other people.

"So yes, I think I was quite stupid. I thought it would help me with global health philanthropy. In fact, it failed to do that and it was just a huge mistake."

In a 2011 email to colleagues, Gates is reported as writing about Epstein: "His lifestyle is very different and kind of intriguing although it would not work for me."

A spokesperson for Gates later noted he was 'in no way' saying so in a way to 'convey a sense of interest or approval,' but was 'referring only to the unique décor of the Epstein residence - and Epstein’s habit of spontaneously bringing acquaintances in to meet Mr Gates'.

Bill Gates has reflected on the connection (Sean Gallup/Getty Images

When asked if the experience has made him 'more wary of connections,' Gates resolved: "Definitely. I mean are you kidding?"

And it's not the only reflection Gates has been doing on his past, noting he 'hopes as you get older, you're more reflective and you have wisdom'.