After divorce: Bill Gates: meeting with Epstein was a "big mistake"

Microsoft founder Bill Gates regrets meeting finance manager Jeffrey Epstein.

"It was a big mistake to spend time with him," said Gates on Thursday in an interview with the US broadcaster CNN.

According to media reports, the billionaire's meetings with Epstein for Melinda French Gates are said to have been a reason for the divorce she filed in May.

Gates had met Epstein, who was convicted of sexual encounters with a minor in 2008 and committed suicide in a prison cell in 2019 after further rape allegations, in 2011 and met with him several times. He had hoped that Epstein would be able to attract more financially strong donors to global health, said Gates. "When it looked like nothing was going to happen, the relationship ended." Melinda French Gates reportedly disagreed with the meetings because of Epstein's background. However, Gates did not want to confirm whether the contact with Epstein was actually a reason for the separation. "It is a time for reflection and at this point I have to look ahead," said the 65-year-old.

The divorce of Bill and Melinda Gates after 27 years of marriage became official on Monday. The former couple have three children of legal age and have combined assets of approximately $ 130 million, which media reports say will be split through a separation agreement. In the divorce petition, Melinda French Gates had given "incurable disruption" as the reason in May. In an interview, the Microsoft founder described the divorce as a "sad milestone". He described his former wife as a “great person” and the separation fills him with “great personal sadness”.

Gates also commented on the future of the joint foundation. It is planned that the former couple will sound out in the next two years whether they can continue the collaboration. He hopes his ex-wife will stay, Gates told CNN. “That would be the best thing for the foundation. Melinda brings incredible strengths that make the foundation better. ”Should Melinda French Gates leave the foundation, Bill Gates wants to pay them off with his private fortune.