Bill Gates' reputation takes another hit, report slams 'cringy' behaviors towards Melinda in foundation meetings
For the longest time, Bill Gates and Melinda French Gates were the definition of a power couple. But they shook the world with the news of their divorce after 27 years together. They had said they couldn't "grow together as a couple" anymore. The latest reports reveal that maybe this was a long time coming.
As it turns out, the billionaire was dismissive toward his wife in work meetings and pursued other women at Microsoft and his other endeavors while the couple was still together, reports reveal.
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According to a Sunday report by The New York Times, those with knowledge of Bill and his companies and financial dealings told the publication that the Microsoft founder had pursued women who worked for him at Microsoft and at the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation while the couple was together.
Dismissive towards Melinda Gates
In addition to that, sources familiar with Bill's endeavors also told the publication that he was at times dismissive of Melinda in workplace meetings at the Gates Foundation. Melinda reportedly now goes by Melinda French Gates.
In the article, the publication wrote that during these meetings, Bill apparently ensured that his voice was "dominant" and on several occasions "could be dismissive towards Ms French Gates". The report added that according to people who attended foundation meetings with the Gateses, this kind of behavior caused some of them to "cringe".
All 'false' claims
However, the foundation claims that the information divulged to New York Times by the sources is all false. A spokesperson for Gates, Bridgitt Arnold, denied the accusations brought up in the Times article. "Any claim that Gates spoke of his marriage or Melinda in a disparaging manner is false," they told the publication.
Mistreatment of employees
The Times article also has a mention of mistreatment of employees. In 2006, following a presentation by a female employee of Microsoft, he emailed her asking her to dinner. But then added, "If this makes you uncomfortable, pretend it never happened," a source told The Times.
There was also a case with another unnamed woman. According to that report, a total of six current and former employees of Gates reportedly said that he and his actions created a workplace that made them "uncomfortable."
Arnold also had something to add to this. Speaking to The Times, Arnold said, "The claim of mistreatment of employees is also false. The rumors and speculation surrounding Gates's divorce are becoming increasingly absurd, and it's unfortunate that people who have little to no knowledge of the situation are being characterized as 'sources.'"
In May, the Gateses had announced their divorce in identical tweets. In due time, Gates' alleged relationship with the late sex offender Jeffrey Epstein started taking over newsprint. People online started debating Epstein's involvement in the divorce, if at all. That is until recently when it was reported that Epstein is said to have played a role in the couple's split, according to the Times report. Apparently, Gates told Epstein his marriage to Melinda was "toxic," which both men found funny, according to the report.
