In a startling revelation, it is alleged that after declining a humanitarian endeavor proposed by Jeffrey Epstein, Bill Gates faced a potential exposure of his connection with a Russian bridge player, as per a recent article.
According to sources cited by The Wall Street Journal, the disgraced financier, who tragically took his own life in 2019, purportedly used the alleged affair between Gates and Russian card prodigy Mila Antonova as a means of threatening Gates.
The report states that Gates and Antonova crossed paths in 2010 during a tournament, after Antonova relocated to the Bay Area to pursue a career as a software engineer.
While Antonova acknowledged her acquaintance with Gates in a video she made in 2010, expressing her passion for bridge, sources informed the Journal that they had a brief romantic involvement while Gates was still married to his then-wife, Melinda French Gates.
Meanwhile, the article reveals that Epstein encountered Antonova when she sought funding for a bridge academy, subsequently offering to sponsor her education in software coding.
According to the Journal, an email exchange between Epstein and Gates in 2017 revolved around Epstein seeking reimbursement for his investment in Antonova’s coding education.
The communication reportedly occurred shortly after Gates declined to participate in a multi-billion dollar charity initiative that Epstein, a convicted sex offender, aimed to launch with JPMorgan Chase.
Gates, aged 67, has admitted to meeting Epstein multiple times in the 2010s with the intention of securing funds for the Gates Foundation, following Epstein’s 2008 conviction in Florida for soliciting and hiring a minor for prostitution.
In response to the situation, a representative for Gates stated that his meetings with Epstein were solely driven by charitable intentions. The representative further asserted that Epstein had unsuccessfully attempted to exploit a past association to manipulate Gates, emphasizing that Gates did not comply with any demands and had no financial dealings with Epstein.
Antonova, in an interview with the Journal, initially perceived Epstein as a “successful businessman who wanted to help.”
While Antonova expressed her disgust with Epstein’s actions, she refrained from commenting on the alleged affair with Gates.
Following a match against Gates in a tournament, Antonova’s motivation to share her passion for chess led her to establish a business.
According to sources familiar with the matter, Antonova met with Epstein at his Manhattan townhouse in 2013, referred to him by Boris Nikolic, a prominent aide to Gates.
Despite Epstein’s initial resistance, he eventually agreed to financially support Antonova’s education in software engineering.
“I’m not sure why he did that,” Antonova told the Journal. “He told me he was wealthy and wanted to assist people whenever possible,” she added.
During her stay in New York City, Epstein provided lodging and access to his apartment in November. Antonova asserted that she had no contact with Epstein or any other individuals during her brief residency.
Sources cited by the Journal claimed that after Epstein’s conviction for sex offenses, he sought to rebuild his reputation by establishing a philanthropic organization, with donors like Bill Gates.
Reportedly, Epstein neglected to mention Gates when approaching JPMorgan Chase for fundraising, and both Gates and the bank declined to participate in the venture.
According to the Journal’s sources, Epstein resorted to blackmailing Gates by sending an email demanding payment for Antonova’s education, citing the alleged dissolution of their connection.
Statements released by Gates, Nikolic, and JPMorgan Chase express remorse for having associated with Epstein in philanthropic discussions.
“I deeply regret ever meeting Epstein,” said Nikolic, who collaborated with Epstein on charitable endeavors. “His actions were despicable. I have never witnessed such illicit behavior before. My thoughts and prayers go out to the victims and their families.”
This marks the second time within Bill Gates’ 27-year marriage to Melinda that he has faced allegations of extramarital involvement, the first being with an individual named Antonova.
In 2021, Gates acknowledged, through a representative, his affair with a Microsoft employee that spanned nearly two decades. The representative stated that the affair had ended amicably before Gates resigned from Microsoft to focus on his philanthropic pursuits.
Upon receiving an email from an engineer in 2019, the Microsoft board conducted an investigation into the matter, as explained by Microsoft spokesman Frank Shaw.