ADVERTISEMENT
In early February 2026, the global spotlight shifted once more to the enormous trove of documents tied to convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein, after the U.S.
Department of Justice released more than 3 million pages of previously redacted records, 180,000 images, and roughly 2,000 videos under the Epstein Files Transparency Act.
The release, intended to increase public visibility into Epstein’s network and associations, included raw investigative materials dating back decades and mentioning numerous influential individuals.
Among the most closely watched responses has been that of Melinda French Gates, the philanthropist and former wife of Bill Gates, co‑founder of Microsoft and one of the wealthiest people in the world.
The newly released documents include mentions of Bill Gates in draft emails attributed to Epstein — documents that have not been verified as factual, and in some cases were never sent.
For Melinda French Gates, these disclosures have reopened personal wounds connected to her marriage and its end.
