Melinda French Gates calls Epstein 'abhorrent human being,' blasts justice system for failing victims
In a wide-ranging interview, billionaire philanthropist Melinda French Gates described Jeffrey Epstein as an 'abhorrent human being' and said the U.S. justice system 'didn't do its job' to stop his crimes.
Meeting that gave her nightmares
Melinda French Gates revealed she met Jeffrey Epstein only once, telling The Guardian the experience was so disturbing it gave her nightmares. She described the late sex offender as 'an abhorrent human being, a horrid man' and asked, 'Have you ever in your life been around somebody that you just know is evil?' The philanthropist, 61, said her heart goes out to the young girls Epstein abused.
Justice system under fire
French Gates did not hold back on the legal system's handling of Epstein, who died in jail in 2019 while awaiting trial on federal sex trafficking charges.
She added that if society wants to protect children, the system must work. Her comments follow renewed scrutiny of her ex-husband Bill Gates' ties to Epstein after a draft email surfaced earlier this year.The justice system didn't do its job. It did not do its job. Full stop. This could have been stopped.
The Epstein connection and Bill Gates
A draft email released by the U.S. Justice Department on January 30, 2026, showed Epstein boasting he helped 'Bill' obtain medication 'to remedy the consequences of sexual relations with Russian girls.' Bill Gates subsequently told Australian broadcaster 9News the email was never sent and its contents were false. In recent closed-door testimony before the House Oversight Committee, Gates said Epstein attempted to blackmail him with details of his personal life, including extramarital affairs, but that he never witnessed or suspected ongoing criminal conduct by Epstein. French Gates, who divorced Bill Gates in 2021 after 27 years of marriage, has linked the split to his infidelity and continued meetings with Epstein from 2011 to 2014, after Epstein's 2008 solicitation conviction.
- Jeffrey Epstein convicted in Florida of soliciting a minor.
- Bill Gates begins meeting Epstein; contacts continue until 2014, according to Melinda French Gates.
- Epstein dies in his Manhattan jail cell while awaiting trial on federal sex trafficking charges.
- Melinda and Bill Gates divorce after 27 years of marriage.
- Justice Department releases draft Epstein email mentioning Gates and 'Russian girls.'
- Bill Gates testifies to House Oversight Committee, says Epstein attempted blackmail.
- Melinda French Gates' Guardian interview is published, condemning Epstein and the justice system.
A new chapter focused on women
Now working full-time at Pivotal Ventures, the philanthropic organization she founded in 2015, French Gates is channeling her energy into women's empowerment and health. She recently committed $215 million toward women's healthcare initiatives. Pivotal has received $12.5 billion from Bill Gates as part of their divorce settlement and has pledged $2 billion to projects supporting women and families.
She described her post-divorce life in Seattle as 'beautiful,' enjoying quiet routines of bookshops, walks along Lake Washington and time with her two granddaughters.When women step into their full power, we have a different lens on society. We are the bedrock of society. We are the bedrock of the family.
