India, June 24 -- Microsoft co-founder Bill Gates has told a US congressional panel that convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein may have attempted to use details about his personal life to pressure him into renewing contact.

Speaking during a closed-door testimony before the US House Oversight Committee, Gates admitted to having affairs with three women and said Epstein was aware of at least two of those relationships, media reports said.

He also acknowledged a separate affair with medical entrepreneur Alice Jacobs Nesselrodt.

"These affairs had nothing to do with my interactions with Epstein, but they were painful for my family," Gates told lawmakers.

'He contemplated blackmailing me'

Gates said Epstein never directly blackmailed hi...