Bill Gates: The Image of a Benevolent Nerd Undermined by Numerous Scandals

Bill Gates has, thanks to his philanthropic work over the years, created an image of himself as a likable nerd and philanthropist. This image has made him appear better compared to other eccentric billionaires. However, news of his relationship with an employee, shortly after the announcement of his divorce from Melinda Gates after 27 years of marriage, reveals his darker side.

Specifically, Microsoft, of which Gates is a co-founder, reported on Monday about an investigation into Gates’ alleged romantic relationship with a company employee dating back nearly 20 years. Microsoft learned in mid-2019 that Gates had sought to start an intimate relationship with an employee in 2000, just six years after marrying Melinda.

Interestingly, last year Gates left the Microsoft board in order to focus on his philanthropic work. His spokesperson stated that this decision had nothing to do with the revelation of the romantic relationship with the employee and that the relationship was friendly.

However, the ugly accusations do not end there. Foreign media report that Gates had been known to consider his workplace a place for ‘hunting women’. Six current and former employees testified to Gates’ ‘inappropriate’ behavior in the workplace, according to The New York Times. He allegedly invited one employee to dinner via email in 2006.

He also met his wife Melinda at work in 1987 – when she started working at Microsoft. Employees also stated that he was known to ‘dismiss’ his wife Melinda in their work at the joint Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, where they worked on initiatives to empower women, among other things.

Earlier this month, the Journal reported that Melinda Gates had been contemplating divorce from Bill as early as 2019 after she became upset over Gates’ willingness to meet with financier Jeffrey Epstein, a convicted sex offender who committed suicide in prison. Gates has denied having any business or friendly relationship with Epstein.

Although he has not publicly addressed the accusations and divorce rumors, Gates’ spokesperson Bridgitt Arnold commented on the case.

– “It is extremely disappointing that so many falsehoods have been published regarding the cause, circumstances, and timeline of Bill Gates’ divorce. The rumors and speculation surrounding Gates’ divorce are becoming increasingly absurd, and it is sad that people who know little or nothing about the situation are being called ‘sources'” – Arnold told The Times.

{embed_digitalno_izdanje}{/embed_digitalno_izdanje}