In a striking congressional deposition related to his ties with convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein, Bill Gates revealed he had engaged in two extramarital relationships—with Russian bridge player Mila Antonova and nuclear scientist Karima Nigmatulina, according to the New York Post.
Deposition Details Released
Gates testified before the U.S. House Committee on Oversight on June 10. The transcript—made public on June 23, 2026—details how Epstein allegedly used knowledge of these relationships as leverage. Gates stated that Epstein had learned about both affairs with precision and attempted to exploit them for influence.
Controversial Draft Email
Central to the matter is a draft email dated July 18, 2013, first released by the U.S. Department of Justice in January. Though attributed to Epstein, the message appears to have been drafted on behalf of Boris Nikolic, Gates’ close advisor and former scientific director, who was preparing to step down from his role at the time.
The draft included references to internal transition procedures—and also contained unverified allegations linking Gates to illicit relationships, substance use, and inappropriate conduct. Among its claims: that Gates sought medication to manage consequences of sexual encounters with Russian women; that he arranged clandestine romantic meetings with married women; and that he requested Adderall for bridge tournaments.
Public Acknowledgment
In February, Gates reportedly acknowledged the two extramarital relationships during an internal meeting with staff at the Gates Foundation. He also reportedly admitted—during divorce proceedings with former wife Melinda French Gates—that he faced accusations of more than 20 extramarital affairs.