Get All Access for $5/mo

Report: Bill Gates Was Told to Stop Emailing Female Employees The 'Wall Street Journal' reports that Microsoft president Brad Smith confronted Gates more than a decade ago.

By Entrepreneur Staff

NurPhoto | Getty Images

The Wall Street Journal reports that in 2008, after becoming aware that billionaire Bill Gates had sent "inappropriate" messages to a female employee in 2007, current Microsoft president Brad Smith and former HR chief Lisa Brummel confronted the founder, who agreed to stop emailing female employees.

Related: Bill Gates Hiding Out at Mansion at Billionaires' Golf Club: Report

Business Insider reached out to Gates for comment, and was told by a Gates spokesman, "These claims are false, recycled rumors from sources who have no direct knowledge, and in some cases have significant conflicts of interest."

Per the Wall Street Journal's reporting:

After Bill and Melinda French Gates announced they were divorcing, multiple outlets reported the Microsoft founder engaged in inappropriate behavior with female employees.

Microsoft's board hired a law firm in 2019 to investigate if Gates had an affair with a female engineer in 2000.

Gates met with sexual predator Jeffrey Epstein on multiple occasions.

Gates stepped down from the boards of Microsoft and Berkshire Hathaway in 2020.

Entrepreneur Staff

Entrepreneur Staff

Editor

For more than 30 years, Entrepreneur has set the course for success for millions of entrepreneurs and small business owners. We'll teach you the secrets of the winners and give you exactly what you need to lay the groundwork for success.

Want to be an Entrepreneur Leadership Network contributor? Apply now to join.

Editor's Pick

Branding

ChatGPT is Becoming More Human-Like. Here's How The Tool is Getting Smarter at Replicating Your Voice, Brand and Personality.

AI can be instrumental in building your brand and boosting awareness, but the right approach is critical. A custom GPT delivers tailored collateral based on your ethos, personality and unique positioning factors.

Business Ideas

63 Small Business Ideas to Start in 2024

We put together a list of the best, most profitable small business ideas for entrepreneurs to pursue in 2024.

Business News

Is the AI Industry Consolidating? Hugging Face CEO Says More AI Entrepreneurs Are Looking to Be Acquired

Clément Delangue, the CEO of Hugging Face, a $4.5 billion startup, says he gets at least 10 acquisition requests a week and it's "increased quite a lot."

Business News

Apple Reportedly Isn't Paying OpenAI to Use ChatGPT in iPhones

The next big iPhone update brings ChatGPT directly to Apple devices.

Growing a Business

He Immigrated to the U.S. and Got a Job at McDonald's — Then His Aversion to Being 'Too Comfortable' Led to a Fast-Growing Company That's Hard to Miss

Voyo Popovic launched his moving and storage company in 2018 — and he's been innovating in the industry ever since.

Business News

Sony Pictures Entertainment Purchases Struggling, Cult-Favorite Movie Theater Chain

Alamo Drafthouse originally emerged from bankruptcy in June 2021.