The release of new Epstein-related documents has triggered what Melinda French Gates describes as “a reckoning as a society,” as the fallout from the disgraced financier’s network continues to reverberate globally. With Bill Gates’ name resurfacing in Jeffrey Epstein’s emails and a photograph of him circulating online, attention has once again shifted to his former wife and her response to the renewed scrutiny.
Melinda, 61, addressed the issue during a recent appearance on NPR’s Wild Card podcast, hosted by Rachel Martin. The episode, which began drawing attention earlier this week, aired in full on Thursday, February 5.
During the interview, Melinda was asked to reflect on what growing older has taught her about love. She spoke at length about the role of “absolute trust” in relationships and how difficult it becomes to grow when that trust is broken and people inevitably “make mistakes.”
When Martin began to ask whether it had taken time for her to trust again, pausing mid-question, Melinda interjected, “marriage?”
“Of course,” Melinda replied, admitting that she “thought it might never happen for me again.”
“I trusted myself though,” she continued. “But I have learned that, that with the right person, you can, and it's baby steps at first, and you build on that and you see it and you test it, and then you can find it.”
Since her divorce, Melinda has been linked to Philip Vaughn, with reports in 2024 confirming the relationship. The pair made their red carpet debut last year.
Asked directly whether she was “good at forgiveness,” Melinda responded, “Yes, I think I am.”
“But I've learned that forgiveness can take a long time and you can't rush it,” she said.
Speaking broadly about forgiveness in friendships and personal relationships, Melinda explained that it takes time to “process” the ways “we hurt one another” before moving forward.
“But ultimately, I really seek forgiveness with everybody because if you can't eventually forgive somebody, then you hurt yourself, I think,” she added. “I forgive them, but I don't need to be in touch with them anymore ... but if I can forgive what happened and also try a little bit and see their side of it, then I can move on.”
When asked whether she has forgiven Bill Gates, Melinda said, “I think I'm gonna keep that one to myself.”
She later described it as a “work in progress,” before adding, “I think I’m getting there.”
Epstein allegations and ‘a reckoning as a society’
Melinda and Bill Gates announced their divorce in 2021 after 27 years of marriage. In her book, Melinda wrote about growing turmoil in their relationship by 2019 and 2020, referencing Bill’s infidelity and his past association with Epstein.
Addressing the latest resurfacing of Epstein emails that mention her ex-husband, Melinda told NPR that the situation brought her “unbelievable sadness.” A spokesperson for Bill Gates has previously described the claims as “absolutely absurd and completely false,” and Gates himself has publicly denounced Epstein in a separate interview.
She added that the renewed attention has been personally difficult. “So for me, it’s personally hard whenever those details come up, right, because [it] brings back memories of some very, very painful times in my marriage,” she said. “But I have moved on from that.”
Melinda stressed that unresolved questions surrounding Epstein and those connected to him are not hers to answer. Summing up her position, Melinda added, “I am so happy to be away from all the muck that was there.”
