Gates Admits Past Affairs with Russian Bridge Player and Physicist After Microsoft Investigations Followed

Microsoft co-founder Bill Gates took the rare step of publicly admitting to two past extramarital affairs during a scheduled town hall at the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation.

Addressing employees following a new wave of documents released by the US Justice Department, the 70-year-old billionaire identified his past partners as a Russian bridge player and a Russian nuclear physicist.

Gates told staff that while he 'did have affairs,' he never participated in or witnessed any illicit activities during his association with the late sex offender Jeffrey Epstein.

The admission on 24 February 2026 comes as a response to the 'Epstein files,' which included draft emails from the disgraced financier claiming knowledge of Gates's private relationships.

Gates apologised to foundation staff, acknowledging that his past judgment has 'cast a cloud' over the organisation's global philanthropic work.

Gates Opens Up About Past Relationships

Gates spoke candidly during a town hall with staff at his charity, admitting to having had two affairs years ago.

'I did have affairs. One with a Russian bridge player who met me at bridge events, and one with a Russian nuclear physicist whom I met through business activities,' he said.

The bridge player Gates referred to is believed to be Mila Antonova, a woman identified by The Wall Street Journal in 2023. She reportedly met Gates around 2010 when she was in her twenties.

Antonova has kept silent about her relationship with Gates, declining comment when approached by reporters. Her identity and connection to Gates have intrigued observers, adding a human dimension to the billionaire's story.

The physicist remains less well-known publicly. Gates described her as someone he met through professional channels, suggesting their relationship was more work-related than leisurely. Details about her identity or background are scarce, leaving many questions unanswered.

Context Of Past Scandals And Investigations

Gates's personal life has been under the microscope for years. In 2019, reports surfaced that Microsoft had investigated claims that Gates sought an intimate relationship with a company employee.

Gates left Microsoft's board in 2020, amid speculation that the investigation played a role. A spokesman stated at the time that Gates had 'an affair almost 20 years ago' with an unnamed woman, which ended amicably. Yet, the timing of his departure led many to wonder if personal misconduct was involved.

Gates's divorce from Melinda in 2021 also drew attention.

Melinda has spoken sparingly about her ex-husband's infidelity but recently emphasised the importance of honesty in relationships.

'Both partners have to be honest with one another,' she said on The Late Show with Stephen Colbert in April 2025. 'If you can't, you can't have intimacy and you can't have trust. So in the end, I had to go.'

Jeffrey Epstein Connection?

Adding complexity to the story, Gates's ties with Jeffrey Epstein have resurfaced. Gates admitted during the town hall that he had associated with Epstein, a convicted sex offender.

'It was a huge mistake to spend time with Epstein,' Gates said, emphasising that he 'never spent any time with victims, the women around him.' Gates also distanced himself from any 'illicit' activities linked to Epstein.

However, documents released by the US Department of Justice reveal that Epstein was aware of Gates's relationships with the Russian woman and physicist.

An email from Epstein to Gates allegedly claimed Gates contracted a sexually transmitted infection from 'Russian girls' and sought Epstein's help in concealing it from his wife. Gates's spokesperson denied those claims, but the revelations have added fuel to the controversy surrounding his associations.

In an interview last month, Gates mentioned that he was seeking charitable donations from Epstein's contacts, further complicating his image. Critics argue that such associations reveal a pattern of poor judgment and a lack of transparency.

Reputational Damage And The Foundation's Future

The fallout from these admissions has placed the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation in a precarious position regarding its global health partnerships.

During the town hall, Gates acknowledged that the foundation's work is 'reputational sensitive' and that partners may now choose to distance themselves.

Despite the personal scandal, Gates insisted that his primary focus remains on the foundation's missions in artificial intelligence and global disease eradication. Melinda, who has been vocal about her ex-husband's 'discreet' behaviour in the past, recently told televised interviewers that she felt a lack of trust eventually made the marriage untenable.

While Bill Gates has not been accused of any crimes related to the Epstein investigation, the pattern of behaviour revealed in 2026 has led to the cancellation of several high-profile appearances, including a planned keynote speech in India.