In the billion-dollar separation from his long-time wife Melinda, Microsoft founder Bill Gates comes under pressure.
Now a report of an "inappropriate relationship" is causing a stir.
Redmond / New York - Bill Gates is known as the founder of Microsoft and as a great benefactor who wants to make the world a better place with the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation.
But there seems to be another side of the billionaire too.
The
Wall Street Journal (WSJ)
reports that in 2019 Microsoft's board of directors was investigating an affair between Bill Gates and an employee of the software company.
The matter came to light after the clerk wrote a letter to the board of directors reporting that she had had a sexual relationship with Bill Gates that had lasted several years since 2000.
This letter should also be shown to Bill Gates' wife Melinda, she urged.
Bill Gates: Surprising departure from the board of directors
The Board of Directors then hired an outside law firm to investigate the case. Preliminary results were apparently clear. Because for some board members, Bill Gates should no longer have been acceptable as a member of this very body. Before the investigation could be concluded, Bill Gates retired from the Board of Directors on March 13, 2020. At the time, he said he wanted more time to devote to various charitable activities. With his withdrawal, however, he could also have come before a possible expulsion.
A spokeswoman for Bill Gates confirmed to the
WSJ
that almost 20 years ago there was an affair that ended amicably.
"Gates decision to withdraw from the board of directors had nothing to do with it," emphasized the spokeswoman.
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Bill Gates must gradually fear for his good reputation.
© Gian Ehrenzeller / dpa / dpa picture alliance
Bill Gates: Affair with an employee
The
New York Times (NYT)
reports of further misconduct by the billionaire.
He is said to have attracted attention several times in the work environment of the software company because of his questionable behavior towards women.
In one case he is said to have invited a Microsoft employee to dinner in an email after a presentation.
At the same time, Bill Gates is reported to have emphasized that if she felt uncomfortable with it, she should ignore the letter - which she did.
A year later, Bill Gates was on a business trip to New York for his own foundation.
He is said to have said during a cocktail party to an employee of the foundation: “I want to see you.
Do you want to go to dinner with me? ”The woman, who wants to remain anonymous, is said to have laughed away at the situation without accepting the invitation.
Six other employees from Microsoft, the foundation, and the company that manages Gates' assets report
incidents with Bill Gates that
allegedly
created an uncomfortable work environment
, according to the
NYT
.
He is said to have been known for clumsy advances that were a topic of conversation among employees.
On the other hand, they should never have had the feeling that rejecting the advances would result in professional disadvantages.
Bill Gates and Jeffrey Epstein: Relationship between the two is said to be the trigger for divorce
The acquaintance of Bill Gates with the convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein also caused tension with his then wife Melinda.
The two met in 2011, three years after the first allegations against Epstein became known.
Melinda Gates is said to have disapproved of the acquaintance without her husband taking any consequences.
When Bill Gates's acquaintance with Epstein became known to the general public in October 2019, Melinda Gates is said to have hired divorce lawyers.
In May 2021, the couple finally announced the separation.
Bill Gates and the divorce: spokeswoman distances herself from "untruths"
Bill Gates spokeswoman defends the billionaire.
"It is extremely disappointing that so many untruths have been published about the cause, circumstances and process of Bill Gates' divorce," she is
quoted
by the
NYT
as saying.
"The rumors and speculation surrounding Gates' divorce are becoming increasingly absurd, and it is unfortunate that people with little to no knowledge of the situation are called 'sources'."
List of rubric lists: © Gian Ehrenzeller