During a private hearing with the House Oversight Committee on June 10, 2026, Microsoft co-founder Bill Gates disclosed that the late Jeffrey Epstein attempted to use information regarding Gates’s extramarital affairs to pressure him. The testimony, recently made public, sheds light on the nature of their relationship after the financier’s 2019 death in jail.
Gates clarified that while he was never formally blackmailed, internal documents suggest that Epstein was evaluating how to leverage private details to maintain their connection as Gates attempted to cut ties. The tech mogul noted that while these messages were never delivered to him, they appeared to be drafts or rehearsals intended to force his compliance.
Earlier this year, Gates conceded that his association with the sex offender was a severe error in judgment. He acknowledged that he was aware of Epstein’s history with sex-related legal issues but was initially drawn to his potential for raising substantial funds for global health initiatives. Gates maintained during his deposition that he remained unaware of the full scope of Epstein’s criminal activities and categorically denied being a participant in them.
