Who was Jeffrey Epstein? A look at the controversial financier

Jeffrey Epstein, the disgraced financier with a network of powerful friends, died in a New York prison cell on 10 August 2019, while awaiting trial on sex trafficking charges.

He had no chance of bail. Epstein's death came over a decade after he was convicted for soliciting prostitution from a minor and was registered as a sex offender.

This time, he faced allegations of running a "vast network" of underage girls for sexual exploitation, to which he pleaded not guilty.

In November 2025, the US Congress approved the Epstein Files Transparency Act, requiring the Justice Department to release its files from investigations into Epstein. President Donald Trump signed the bill, and some documents were made public by the 19 December deadline, with more released in the following weeks, reports BBC.

While authorities have claimed the 30 January release marked the end of the review process, some critics argue too many documents remain withheld. The released material has illuminated Epstein's life and connections.

Early life and rise to wealth

Born and raised in New York, Epstein taught mathematics and physics at the Dalton School in the mid-1970s. Though he studied these subjects at university, he never graduated. His teaching led to a connection with a Wall Street partner at Bear Stearns, and Epstein became a partner within four years. By 1982, he founded J Epstein and Co., managing over $1 billion in client assets.

Epstein lived lavishly, owning properties in Florida, New Mexico, and New York, and mingled with celebrities, artists, and politicians. Former President Trump once described him as a "terrific guy" who enjoyed the company of young women. Trump later said he cut ties with Epstein over inappropriate behavior toward women at his Mar-a-Lago club.

Epstein's circle also included former President Bill Clinton, actors Kevin Spacey and Chris Tucker, and UK politician Peter Mandelson. Despite these high-profile associations, Epstein maintained a private personal life and dated women like Miss Sweden winner Eva Andersson Dubin and Ghislaine Maxwell, though he never married.

Criminal conviction and controversial plea deal

In 2005, Florida police were alerted to Epstein's abuse of a 14-year-old girl, leading to a search of his Palm Beach home and the discovery of numerous photos of young girls. Reports suggested his abuse had been ongoing for years.

Despite the gravity of his crimes, prosecutors negotiated a 2008 plea deal, allowing Epstein to serve 18 months in jail with work release privileges, avoiding federal charges that could have meant life imprisonment. He was registered as a high-risk sex offender for life.

Epstein maintained his wealth and properties post-conviction. In 2010, Prince Andrew was photographed with him, sparking controversy years later. Virginia Giuffre, an alleged victim, claimed she was forced to have sex with Andrew as a minor, which he denied, though he later settled a lawsuit filed by her.

Final arrest and death

Epstein was arrested on 6 July 2019, after returning from Paris. Prosecutors sought forfeiture of his New York mansion, a location tied to his alleged crimes. Denied bail, he was held in the Metropolitan Correctional Center in New York. Epstein was briefly hospitalized in July 2019 for undisclosed injuries, but never faced trial.

The Maxwell trial

Following Epstein's death, his former partner Ghislaine Maxwell was arrested in July 2020 for aiding his sexual exploitation of minors. In December 2021, she was convicted on five counts, including sex trafficking of a minor, and sentenced to 20 years in prison. Maxwell had introduced Epstein to many of his wealthy and influential friends, including Clinton and Andrew, and continued collaborating with him professionally for years after their romantic involvement ended.