A new external review commissioned by the Gates Foundation has found that there were roughly 30 meetings between Jeffrey Epstein and foundation leaders and staff, including Bill Gates, between 2011 and 2014. The review also revealed that foundation staff raised concerns multiple times about the risks of associating with Epstein due to his prior conviction.

The Gates Foundation initiated the review in March 2026 following the Justice Department's release of millions of documents related to Epstein. These files contained numerous references to Gates, several photographs, and records confirming multiple meetings between Gates and Epstein, which led to renewed scrutiny of Gates's past ties to the disgraced financier.

The foundation acknowledged earlier in the year that it was aware of emails in the Epstein files exchanged between Jeffrey Epstein and Gates Foundation staff. It expressed regret over any employee interactions with Epstein and retained the law firm WilmerHale to conduct a thorough review of past engagements.

WilmerHale's investigation included over 50 interviews with current and former foundation personnel, including Bill Gates, and an extensive review of relevant documents. The law firm identified approximately 30 meetings between Epstein and ten foundation leaders and staff from 2011 to 2014, including meetings on the foundation's campus and at Epstein's Manhattan residence.

Bill Gates stated he was introduced to Epstein in 2011 through trusted professional and philanthropic contacts. Epstein had claimed he could raise billions for global health initiatives from clients for whom he provided tax and estate services. Gates said, "I recall being aware that Epstein had faced prior legal issues, but I did not fully understand the extent of the crimes he committed," referring to Epstein's 2008 guilty plea in Florida for solicitation of prostitution, including with a minor. Gates added, "I accepted the introduction without applying the scrutiny I should have."

The report concluded that Gates was aware of reputational concerns related to Epstein's prior conviction when he began conversations with him. It also noted that foundation staff repeatedly raised the risks of associating with Epstein to senior leadership, including Gates.

Sources