In a recent interview with the Wall Street Journal, Bill Gates revisited his controversial association with Jeffrey Epstein, reiterating his regret and describing his interactions with the convicted sex offender as a "huge mistake." The Microsoft co-founder, whose new book "Source Code: My Beginnings" is due for release on February 4th, emphasized his naiveté in believing the relationship would benefit his philanthropic work in global health.

Gates stated, "Looking back, it was foolish of me to spend time with him. I was quite naive. My thinking was that it could potentially aid my global health philanthropy efforts, but that obviously didn't materialize. It was a significant error in judgment." This echoes previous statements Gates has made regarding the relationship.

The connection between Gates and Epstein reportedly began around 2010, following Epstein's 2008 guilty plea for soliciting underage girls. Reports suggest Epstein sought a relationship with Gates to rehabilitate his public image. Gates and Epstein met multiple times before Epstein's death in 2019 while awaiting trial on sex trafficking charges.

Gates admitted the experience has made him more cautious about his associations. His ex-wife, Melinda Gates, has also expressed her discomfort with his interactions with Epstein, whom she met once. In a 2021 interview, she described Epstein as "evil personified."

This article incorporates reporting by Fox News' Emma Colton.