Melinda Gates reportedly started consulting with divorce lawyers since October 2019, around the same time when Bill's relations with Jeffrey Epstein were publicized.
Sources: Epstein Ties Raised Concerns
Sources with knowledge of the ongoing divorce between the philanthropic couple told The Wall Street Journal one of Melinda's concerns was Bill's ties with Epstein, who has been convicted as a sex offender.
Melinda's concerns about the issue reportedly date back to 2013 and the sources said the philanthropist, who co-chairs the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation, had spoken with divorce lawyers in several firms since at least October 2019.
Melinda's Reported Warning
Another report that emerged last week stated that Melinda was "furious" with Bill and Epstein's dealings.
Two people with knowledge of the situation told The Daily Beast that Bill and Melinda met Epstein at the latter's mansion in September 2013 after the philanthropic couple received the Lasker-Bloomberg Public Service Award.
The people reportedly said that Melinda told friends she was "uncomfortable" while in the presence of Epstein and "wanted nothing to do with him."
Both Bill and Melinda have yet to confirm or deny that reports, but during their divorce announcement, the couple said they will continue to work together in philanthropic causes.
Bill and Epstein's Meetings
After reports first emerged about Bill's ties with Epstein, multiple rumors emerged about his alleged meetings with the American financier.
The New York Times reported that Bill and Epstein first met in January 2011. They met again later at a TED conference, and on May of the same year, Bill visited Epstein again at his New York Mansion.
The Times also revealed what could have been a philanthropic cooperation with Epstein that reportedly raised concerns among employees working with Bill and Melinda's foundation.
The said fund did not materialize and after another meeting between Bill and Epstein in 2014, the relationship was reportedly to "have cooled."
Reuters refuted claims in 2020 that Bill traveled to Epstein's island in the Caribbean multiple times.
The outlet said there were no flight logs to support the allegations about Bill's supposed visits to the island where Epstein is said to have flown in minor girls.
Epstein was arrested in July 2019 on new sex-trafficking charges allegations that were separate from his 2008 non-prosecution deal that was met with scrutiny after he was allowed to plead guilty to lesser charges and served only 13 months.
In August of the same year, Epstein was found unresponsive in his jail cell. Authorities said he took his own life by hanging.
