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

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."

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)

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?"