Billionaire philanthropist Melinda French Gates has said her ex-husband, Microsoft co-founder Bill Gates, being named in new files relating to the late sex offender Jeffrey Epstein dredged up painful times in my marriage.


She told an NPR podcast she felt unbelievable sadness, and that whatever questions remain needed to be answered by those named in the records, including her ex-husband.


I am so happy to be away from all the muck, she said. The couple divorced in 2021.


Records released by the US justice department include an allegation by Epstein that Bill Gates caught a sexually transmitted disease. Gates's spokesperson has called the claim absolutely absurd.


Bill Gates has not been accused of wrongdoing by any of Epstein's victims, and the appearance of his name in the files does not imply criminal activity of any kind.


In a statement to the BBC, a spokesperson for Bill Gates stated that the Microsoft co-founder had never attended parties with the late financier and had no involvement in illegal activities associated with Epstein.


While Mr Gates acknowledges that meeting with Epstein was a serious error in judgment, he unequivocally denies any improper conduct related to Epstein and the horrible activities in which Epstein was involved, the statement said.


Melinda French Gates remarked on the personal impact of renewed media attention in an interview with NPR's Wild Card podcast: 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 stressed that the questions surrounding the matter are for those directly involved to address, affirming her relief in moving on from that chapter of her life.


US media has reported that before their separation, Melinda was deeply troubled by her husband’s association with Epstein. Bill Gates has acknowledged having had an affair with a Microsoft employee in 2019 following their split.


In response to the unsealed documents, Gates maintained that his interactions with Epstein were limited and expressed regret over their association. He characterized the allegations in the new files as fabrications stemming from a disgruntled Epstein, insisting on his innocence.


As Melinda looks ahead, she continues to advocate for her philanthropic work, moving beyond her past with Gates and the trauma associated with it.