'Never had an STD': What Bill Gates told lawmakers about affairs, Jeffrey Epstein and blackmail claims

Billionaire tech mogul Bill Gates has laid bare details of his past extramarital affairs in a bombshell congressional interview that is once again putting his controversial ties to Jeffrey Epstein under the spotlight.

The Microsoft co-founder admitted to relationships with three women and revealed how convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein knew about his private life. However, Gates insisted that Epstein never managed to blackmail him.

The revelations emerged from a closed-door congressional interview held on June 10, the transcript of which was released this week as part of an ongoing probe into Epstein's network of powerful connections.


During questioning, Gates identified two women he had affairs with — Russian bridge player Mila Antonova and nuclear scientist Karima Nigmatulina. He later acknowledged a third affair with medical entrepreneur Dr Alice Jacobs Nesselrodt after lawmakers presented an Epstein-linked email mentioning her name.

"Well, there was a time when I had an affair with Dr Jacobs [Nesselrodt], so that may fit that category," Gates admitted.

The 70-year-old billionaire said Epstein appeared to use knowledge of his affairs in conversations involving former science adviser Boris Nikolic. Still, Gates maintained that the disgraced financier never gained leverage over him.

Gates also sought to distance himself from Epstein's crimes, telling lawmakers he had no knowledge of the abuse of women and girls carried out by Epstein. He acknowledged that he may have unknowingly encountered some victims through overlapping social and professional circles.

According to Gates, he met Epstein between 2011 and 2014 and had around a dozen meetings and several Skype calls with him. The discussions, he claimed, focused mainly on philanthropy and global health projects.

But perhaps the most eyebrow-raising moment came when Gates was asked about longstanding rumours surrounding his personal life and health.

"I never had an STD," Gates said bluntly. "I may have expressed some concern at one point, but I never had an STD. I never gave medicines to anyone covertly."

Gates further claimed that while Epstein knew about his affairs, any attempt to use that information against him ultimately failed. He said he cut ties after promised philanthropic introductions and connections never materialised.

The newly released testimony has also raised fresh questions about just how much Epstein knew. Gates had previously acknowledged that Epstein was aware of two of his affairs. The congressional transcript now suggests the financier may have known about a third relationship as well.