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https://www.wsj.com/articles/jeffrey-epstein-bill-gates-affair-russian-bridge-player-8b2022ff

Jeffrey Epstein, left, and Bill Gates, right, had a more complicated relationship than was previously known. Splash News, Getty Images

Jeffrey Epstein Appeared to Threaten Bill Gates Over Microsoft Co-Founder’s Affair With Russian Bridge Player

The disgraced financier was trying to set up a philanthropic fund that he hoped would include the billionaire as an anchor donor

By Khadeeja Safdar

and Emily Glazer

May 21, 2023 11:32 am ET

Jeffrey Epstein discovered that Bill Gates had an affair with a Russian bridge player and later appeared to use his knowledge to threaten one of the world’s richest men, according to people familiar with the matter.

The Microsoft co-founder met the woman around 2010, when she was in her 20s. Epstein met her in 2013 and later paid for her to attend software coding school. In 2017, Epstein emailed Gates and asked to be reimbursed for the cost of the course, according to the people familiar with the matter.