MICROSOFT co-founder Bill Gates admitted that it was a "huge mistake' to share "several dinners" with disgraced pedophile Jeffrey Epstein.

The tech mogul revealed his "sadness" having finalized his divorce with his wife-of-27 years, Melinda.

Bill told CNN Wednesday that he had "concerns" about shamed financier Epstein, MailOnline reports.

The Microsoft co-founder said: "I had several dinners with him hoping that what he said about getting billions of philanthropy for global health through contacts he had might emerge.

"When it looked like that wasn't a real thing that relationship ended.”

Gates said: "It was a huge mistake to spend time with him and give him the credibility of being there."

Gates' spokesperson told Insider that Bill had "absolutely no business partnership or personal friendship" with Epstein and any meetings were for philanthropy.

The tech mogul met with Epstein on several occasions, The New York Times reported.

In an email to colleagues in 2011, Gates reportedly wrote: "[Epstein's] lifestyle is very different and kind of intriguing although it would not work for me."

But his spokesperson said he "was referring only to the unique décor of the Epstein residence – and Epstein's habit of spontaneously bringing acquaintances in to meet Mr. Gates."

'A HUGE MISTAKE'

In 2013, Gates reportedly flew on Epstein's private plane – dubbed the 'Lolita Express' –  but his spokesperson claimed he was not aware that the plane belonged to the financier.

They met up for dinner in New York later that year, but were no longer in contact by the end of 2014, according to The Times.

A person familiar with the conversation told the newspaper: "Mr Epstein complained to an acquaintance at the end of 2014 that Mr Gates had stopped talking to him."

Melinda was reportedly left “furious” with Bill after they visited the pedo billionaire’s New York townhouse in 2013, according to sources close to the couple.

She was disturbed by Bill's relationship with the wealthy Epstein, telling friends how uncomfortable she was in his company and that she wanted "nothing to do with him", the Daily Beast reported.

One person told the outlet: "He was just an obnoxious guy. He almost made a point of having bad manners, not paying attention at dinner.

"I could see how anybody, even without suspicions, would not want to be around him."

Gates also told Anderson Cooper that he had “regrets” when the journalist probed him on the issue of workplace behavior.

Bill said: "Certainly everyone does but it's a time of reflection and at this point, I need to go forward."

'GROSS MISCHARACTERIZATION'

Maria Klawe, a former Microsoft board member from 2009-2015, said: “A person like Bill Gates thinks the usual rules of behavior don't apply to him.”

She accused him of being unreceptive to suggestions about improving diversity.

Klawe claimed that Gates behaved as if he was the “smartest person in the room” and that diversity was not something Gates “was interested in hearing about.” 

She said that when female executives would suggest diversity initiatives, Gates would allegedly respond with: “Are you trying to effing destroy the company?”

Gates’ spokesperson told Insider that Klawe's allegations are a “gross mischaracterization.”

The revelations come as Bill reportedly "blames himself" for his divorce from Melinda.

He spoke about his divorce during the Allen & Company Sun Valley Conference that was held last month.

One attendee told The New York Post that during an "off the record" Q&A session, Gates "fessed up to messing up" his marriage.

The source said: "He basically referred to the fact that it [the divorce] was his fault."

A King County judge finalized the couple’s divorce on Monday.

Divorce documents in May revealed that their marriage was “irretrievably broken”.

It appears that Melinda is not changing her surname, according to the court papers.

She is reported to be worth around $70billion, according to Spears.

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