Bill Gates opens up about his 1:18 divorce
(CNN) -
Microsoft founder Bill Gates regrets his meetings with Jeffrey Epstein, the wealthy CFO who was charged with child sex trafficking, he told CNN on Wednesday.
"It was a huge mistake spending time with him, giving him the credibility by being there," Gates said.
Speaking with CNN's Anderson Cooper on Wednesday, Gates said he only met with Epstein in hopes of raising more money to treat global health issues.
It's official: Bill and Melinda Gates are already divorced 0:47
"I had several dinners with him, you know, hoping that what he said about gaining billions of dollars of philanthropy for global health through the connections he had might come out," Gates said.
"When it seemed that this was not a real thing, that relationship ended."
In July 2019, federal prosecutors in New York unveiled a criminal indictment accusing Epstein of operating a sex trafficking ring in which he sexually abused dozens of underage girls, allegations that had circulated around the politically connected businessman. during years.
The hedge fund manager evaded similar charges when he reached a non-prosecution agreement with federal prosecutors in Miami in 2008. Rather than face federal charges, Epstein pleaded guilty to two state prostitution charges and served only 13 months in prison.
He also registered as a sex offender and paid restitution to victims identified by the FBI.
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Bill Gates faces misconduct allegations 1:14
In August 2019, Epstein was found dead in a jail cell in Nueva Suicide by hanging.
Gates declined to respond to reports in The Wall Street Journal that his social connection with Epstein played a role in his divorce from Melinda French Gates, which ended this week.
"It's a time for reflection, and at this point, I need to move on," Gates told CNN.
"Within the family, we will heal as best we can."
Will Bill and Melinda Gates continue to work together?
0:40
The tech mogul has focused most of his time in recent years on global health issues through the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation, whose leader recently told staff that the Gates family would determine over the next two years whether it is They may continue to work together on the foundation.
Otherwise, Bill Gates will pay his ex-wife out of his own personal funds to leave the foundation.
Gates told CNN that he hopes Melinda French Gates will stay.
"That would definitely be best for the foundation," Gates said.
"Melinda has incredible strengths that she brings to help make the point guard better."
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