unilad homepage
unilad homepage
  • News
    • UK News
    • US News
    • World News
    • Crime
    • Health
    • Money
    • Sport
    • Travel
  • Music
  • Technology
  • Film and TV
    • News
    • DC Comics
    • Disney
    • Marvel
    • Netflix
  • Celebrity
  • Politics
  • Advertise
  • Terms
  • Privacy & Cookies
  • LADbible Group
  • LADbible
  • SPORTbible
  • GAMINGbible
  • Tyla
  • UNILAD Tech
  • FOODbible
  • License Our Content
  • About Us & Contact
  • Jobs
  • Latest
  • Archive
  • Topics A-Z
  • Authors
Facebook
Instagram
X
Threads
TikTok
YouTube
Submit Your Content
Melinda Gates shares how she copes with 'despair' after Epstein files claim ex-husband Bill 'caught STDs from Russian girls'
Home>News>US News
Published 10:05 6 Feb 2026 GMT

Melinda Gates shares how she copes with 'despair' after Epstein files claim ex-husband Bill 'caught STDs from Russian girls'

Bill Gates has expressed his regrets over ever being associated with Jeffrey Epstein

Niamh Shackleton

Niamh Shackleton

google discoverFollow us on Google Discover
Featured Image Credit: Wild Card with Rachel Martin/Nine

Topics: Bill Gates, Jeffrey Epstein, Podcast, News

Niamh Shackleton
Niamh Shackleton

Niamh Shackleton is an experienced journalist for UNILAD, specialising in topics including mental health and showbiz, as well as anything Henry Cavill and cat related. She has previously worked for OK! Magazine, Caters and Kennedy.

X

@niamhshackleton

Advert

Advert

Advert

Melinda French Gates discussed 'despair' and how she copes with it after her 'painful' divorce from Bill Gates.

Melinda and Microsoft founder Bill were married for 27 years and called it quits in 2021 — something which Bill has admitted that he very much regrets.

Recently, bombshell allegations against Bill came to light in newly released Epstein files, with emails from Jeffrey Epstein alleging that he been 'sleeping with Russian girls' and 'caught STDs from them', before supposedly giving the disgraced financier 'antibiotics' to pass on to Melinda.

The 2013 memo went on to claim: "To add insult to the injury you them [sic] implore me to please delete the emails regarding your std, your request that I provide you antibiotics that you can surreptitiously give to Melinda and the description of your penis."

Advert

A spokesperson for Gates said the claims were 'absolutely absurd and completely false'.

Both Melinda and Bill Gates are mentioned in new Epstein files (Kevin Mazur/Getty Images for Robin Hood)
Both Melinda and Bill Gates are mentioned in new Epstein files (Kevin Mazur/Getty Images for Robin Hood)

As well as addressing the allegations that have surfaced, she was asked by NPR's Wild Card host Rachel Martin if she's forgiven her ex, to which Melinda said: "I think I'm gonna keep that one to myself."

Elsewhere in their chat, the philanthropist was also asked how she copes with 'despair'.

"Hope. Always hope," she replied. "When I'm really in despair, it's probably one of the best times to go out and see community work, either in the United States or another country."

Melinda continued: "When you see people helping one another, and you see people saying, 'You know what, I can make sure this kid gets on this path', or, 'I'm going to tutor that kid', or 'I'm going to show up and serve on a food line on a cold day', right?

"It just reminds you that, our humanity– there's so much hope in the world. There's so much goodness."

She added that it helps her to 'get off [her] screen' and go out to see hope in the world.

"That really, really lifts me up and helps me," Melinda concluded her answer.

As well as Melinda, Bill himself has spoken out following the release of the 3,000,000 pages of Epstein files, saying that the emails, which Epstein is believed to have sent to himself, are 'false'.

"Apparently, Jeffrey wrote an email to himself. That email was never sent. The email is false," he told 9News.

Bill added: "I don't know what his thinking was there. Was he trying to attack me in some way?"

  • Bill Gates ‘caught STD from Russian girls and tried to secretly slip wife Melinda antibiotics,’ according to Epstein files
  • Bill Gates responds after Epstein files allege he ‘caught STD from Russian girls and tried to secretly slip wife Melinda antibiotics’
  • Melinda Gates has blunt reaction when asked if she’s forgiven Bill after Epstein files allege he ‘caught STD from Russian girls’
  • Bill Gates set to testify before Congress over Epstein relationship after details released in files

Choose your content:

9 mins ago
an hour ago
2 hours ago
  • Contributor/Getty Images
    9 mins ago

    Putin's 'Satan II' nuclear missile explained as he declares it 'most powerful in the world'

    Russia's president is making efforts to modernise his country's nuclear arsenal

    News
  • Nicolas Economou/NurPhoto via Getty Images
    an hour ago

    Expert explains the travel risks that could turn you into ‘patient zero’ following hantavirus outbreak

    The virus - which derives from rats - began to break out on the MV Hondius cruise ship earlier this month

    News
  • Getty Stock Image
    an hour ago

    'Ozempic babies' explained as weight-loss drug users warned of surprising side effect

    The 'side effect' has also been reported by women on other GPL-1 drugs

    News
  • Law and Crime Network
    2 hours ago

    Alex Murdaugh murder convictions for wife and son’s death overturned in shock Supreme Court ruling

    The attorney's conviction was overturned on May 13, so what happens next?

    News