Melinda French Gates told CBS Mornings that her husband’s relationship with the “abhorrent” Epstein was definitely a factor in their divorce
In the first public discussion on her divorce, Melinda clarified that the friendship between ex-husband Bill Gates and convicted sex trafficker Jeffery Epstein was definitely a factor in their divorce.
Melinda told Gayle King: “I did not like that he had meetings with Jeffrey Epstein, no. I made that clear to him.”
Melinda further said that she had met with Epstein “exactly one time” because she “wanted to see who this man was.” She continued, “I regretted it the second I walked in the door. He was abhorrent. He was evil personified. My heart breaks for these women.”
Whilst Gate’s and Epstein’s relationship was a significant issue for Melinda she further admitted that there were a number of factors that led to the divorce last year. His apparently close relationship with Epstein seems the most abhorrent, though Bill’s reputation for extra-marital affairs certainly wouldn’t have helped.
In the same interview with Gayle King Melinda spoke openly about her husband’s affair 20 years ago, stating that “I certainly believe in forgiveness, so I thought we had worked through some of that.”
“It wasn’t one moment or one specific thing that happened. There just came a point in time where there was enough there where I realised it just wasn’t healthy, and I couldn’t trust what we had.” Practising respectful restraint, Melinda said that any questions about further affairs need to be answered by Bill.
Melinda Gates slams Bill's friendship with pedophile Jeffrey Epstein https://t.co/0Td4zGjzT1 via @MailOnline pic.twitter.com/FEOByvDEOT
— Jeanne (@scoobidoo76) March 3, 2022
Following their split Melinda admits she’s felt a wide range of emotions but that she doesn’t question her decision. She notes that her emotions have ranged from bewilderment to outright anger, though says it’s all “part of the grieving process.”
With a somewhat cheeky addition, Melinda hinted at an exploration of the dating scene, which has been “interesting at this point.”
Wow. Melinda Gates on the 1 time she met Jeffrey Epstein: “I regretted it from the second I stepped in the door. He was abhorrent. He was evil personified. I had nightmares about it…my heart breaks for these young women because that's how I felt…” @CBSMornings pic.twitter.com/7vuJDgplHC
— Bo Erickson CBS (@BoKnowsNews) March 3, 2022
In regards to their ongoing professional relationship, Melinda says that it is functional. She added that they were on “friendly” terms, but definitely not “friends.”