Melinda French Gates has publicly reacted to the latest release of the Jeffrey Epstein files, which contain claims that her ex-husband, Bill Gates, once contracted a sexually transmitted infection during an affair. In a recent NPR interview, she described the documents as bringing back "memories of some very, very painful times in my marriage."
Moving On from Past Pain
Despite the emotional turmoil, Melinda emphasized that she has consciously chosen to leave those memories behind. "But I have moved on from that. I purposely pushed it away and I moved on," she stated during the conversation with host Rachel Martin. This reflection comes as the Epstein files continue to unveil disturbing details about the financier's network and its connections to high-profile individuals.
A Call for Societal Reckoning
Melinda expressed broader concerns about the societal implications of the Epstein case, highlighting the vulnerability of young girls. "I think we're having a reckoning as a society, right? No girl, no girl should ever be put in the situation that they were put in by Epstein and whatever was going on with all of the various people around him," she said. Her comments underscore a demand for justice and accountability in the wake of the scandal.
Demanding Answers from Involved Parties
When asked about the new allegations naming Bill Gates in the Epstein documents, Melinda shifted the focus to those directly implicated. "Whatever questions remain there -- I can't even begin to know all of it -- those questions are for those people and for even my ex-husband, they need to answer to those things. Not me," she asserted. This stance reflects her determination to distance herself from the controversy while insisting that individuals like Bill Gates must address the accusations.
Bill Gates' Response to the Allegations
Bill Gates has vehemently denied the claims made in the Epstein files. A spokesperson for Gates called the revelations "absolutely absurd and completely false," adding, "The only thing these documents demonstrate is Epstein's frustration that he did not have an ongoing relationship with Gates and the lengths he would go to entrap and defame." Previously, Gates acknowledged his association with Epstein as a "huge mistake," explaining that he had dinners with him in hopes of securing donations for the Gates Foundation.
Background on the Gates Divorce
Melinda and Bill Gates announced their divorce in 2021, a split that Melinda has linked to issues of infidelity and Epstein connections in her book. In the NPR interview, she elaborated on her emotional journey, saying, "I’m able to take my own sadness and look at those young girls and say, ‘My god, how did they — how did that happen to those girls?’" She added, "And so for me, it’s just sadness, sadness for — you know, I’ve left, I left my marriage, I had to leave my marriage, I wanted to leave my marriage, and so it’s just sad. That’s the truth."
This interview marks one of Melinda's most candid discussions about the personal and societal fallout from the Epstein scandal, blending her personal experiences with a call for broader accountability and reflection.
