Major Controversies Surrounding Bill Gates: A Detailed Timeline

A closer look at the most debated and controversial moments involving Bill Gates.

Bill Gates is an American businessman and philanthropist, most famous for co-founding Microsoft with Paul Allen. He held various leadership roles within the company, including CEO and chief software architect, and was its largest individual shareholder for many years. Gates is recognized as a pivotal figure in the microcomputer revolution during the 1970s and 1980s, shaping the landscape of modern computing.

Sections (6)

Full Timeline Early Life & Education Career & Achievements Success & Recognition Challenges & Struggles Controversies & Scandals

February 1976: Gates Writes Open Letter to Hobbyists

In February 1976, Bill Gates wrote 'An Open Letter to Hobbyists' expressing his concern about the widespread unauthorized copying of Microsoft's Altair BASIC.

1998: Rejection of Software Industry Regulation

In 1998, Bill Gates rejected the need for regulation of the software industry in testimony before the United States Senate.

1998: United States v. Microsoft case

In the 1998 United States v. Microsoft case, Bill Gates gave deposition testimony that several journalists characterized as evasive.

2007: Criticism of Foundation Investments

In 2007, the Los Angeles Times criticized the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation for investing its assets in companies accused of worsening poverty and pollution.

2011: Relationship with Jeffrey Epstein started

In 2011, Bill Gates's relationship with financier Jeffrey Epstein started.

March 2013: Meeting with Nobel Committee chair

In March 2013, Epstein and Bill Gates met with Nobel Committee chair Thorbjørn Jagland at his residence in Strasbourg, France, to discuss the Nobel Prize.

2013: Visit to Epstein's house

In the fall of 2013, Bill Gates visited Jeffrey Epstein's house with his wife, despite her declared discomfort.

2019: New York Times article on relationship with Jeffrey Epstein

A 2019 New York Times article reported that Bill Gates's relationship with financier Jeffrey Epstein started in 2011, just a few years after Epstein was convicted for procuring a child for prostitution, and continued for some years.

2019: Melinda Sought Divorce Attorneys

In 2019, Melinda Gates began meeting with divorce attorneys, reportedly due to concerns about Bill Gates's ties with Jeffrey Epstein.

2019: Gates denies connection between Epstein and Gates Foundation

In an interview in 2019 Bill Gates completely denied any connection between Epstein and the Gates Foundation or his philanthropy generally.

2020: Response to Trump's Platform Bans

In 2020, following the ban of Donald Trump from Facebook and Twitter, Bill Gates stated that a permanent ban would be a "shame" and an "extreme measure," warning of potential polarization.

February 18, 2021: Response to Trump's Platform Bans

On February 18, 2021, following the ban of Donald Trump from Facebook and Twitter, Bill Gates stated that a permanent ban would be a "shame" and an "extreme measure," warning of potential polarization.

April 2021: Criticism for Vaccine Patent Stance

In April 2021, Bill Gates was criticized for suggesting pharmaceutical companies should hold onto patents for COVID-19 vaccines during the pandemic, raising concerns about access for poorer nations.

May 2021: Stepping Down Amidst Investigation

In May 2021, The Wall Street Journal reported that Bill Gates stepped down from Microsoft's board before the completion of an investigation into an alleged inappropriate sexual relationship with a Microsoft employee.

August 2021: Gates on meetings with Epstein

In August 2021, Bill Gates said the reason he had meetings with Epstein was because Gates hoped Epstein could provide money for philanthropic work, though nothing came of the idea, adding, "It was a huge mistake to spend time with him, to give him the credibility of being there."

2021: Shift in Public Opinion Following Divorce Announcement

In 2021, the announcement of Bill and Melinda Gates's divorce brought about information about extramarital affairs and connections with Jeffrey Epstein, leading to a deterioration of his public image.

September 2022: Politico Expose on NGO Leadership

In September 2022, Politico published an exposé, in cooperation with Die Welt, critical of NGO leadership's COVID-19 pandemic response, highlighting the interconnectivity of these non-profits with Bill Gates and his lack of formal credentials in medicine.

2023: Epstein threatened to expose alleged affair

In 2023, it was reported that Epstein threatened to expose an alleged affair Bill Gates had with a Russian bridge player.

October 2024: Donation to Future Forward USA Action

In October 2024, it was reported that Bill Gates had recently donated $50 million to Future Forward USA Action, an organization supporting Kamala Harris's 2024 presidential campaign. Gates did not explicitly endorse Harris but said "this election is different."