Epstein's Final Beneficiary: The Belarusian Dentist at the Heart of His Estate
Freshly disclosed legal documents have cast a stark spotlight on the final romantic entanglement of convicted paedophile Jeffrey Epstein, revealing his intention to bequeath a substantial portion of his fortune to Karyna Shuliak, a Belarusian woman nearly forty years his junior. The details, emerging from millions of files released by the US Department of Justice, outline a trust agreement through which Epstein aimed to distribute his rumoured $577 million estate, with Shuliak positioned as a primary beneficiary.
A Fortune in Property and Jewels
Epstein's will, signed just two days before his death by suicide in August 2019 while awaiting trial on sex trafficking charges, remained shrouded in mystery until now. The documents specify an array of assets intended for Shuliak, including a ranch in New Mexico, a Parisian apartment, and his infamous properties on Little St James island and in New York. Furthermore, a staggering 33-carat diamond ring, described in meticulous detail within the will's margins as "set with a regular cut diamond, weighing approximately 32.73 carats," was noted as given to her "in contemplation of marriage." However, the ultimate value Shuliak may receive remains uncertain, as much of Epstein's wealth has been allocated to victim settlements, with remaining assets entangled in the US Virgin Islands court system.
The Mystery of a Secret Son
Adding a profound layer of intrigue to their relationship is the alleged revelation that Epstein may have fathered a secret son in 2011. Among the trove of released documents is a message purportedly from Sarah Ferguson, the former Duchess of York, which appears to congratulate the financier. "Don’t know if you are still on this bbm but heard from The Duke that you have had a baby boy," she wrote. "Even though you never kept in touch, I still am here with love, friendship and congratulations on your baby boy. Sarah xx." While Epstein is not publicly known to have had children, and Shuliak is not named in connection to the child in these messages, Ferguson's note raises persistent questions about this hidden chapter of Epstein's life.
A Decade-Long Alliance Forged in Disgrace
Shuliak, now in her mid-thirties, arrived in the United States from Belarus in 2009 at age twenty and is believed to have entered Epstein's orbit shortly thereafter, not long after his initial release from prison. Epstein had served approximately thirteen months following a guilty plea for procuring an underage girl for prostitution, benefiting from an unusually lenient work release programme. A source cited by the Daily Mail suggested that Shuliak's steadfast loyalty during this period of profound social ostracism cemented their bond. "Everyone turned their backs on him after prison and denounced him as an anti-Christ, even his closest friends," the source claimed. "No one stayed with him except Karyna who was there until the very last moment." Indeed, she is thought to have been the last person Epstein called before his death.
Contradictory Portraits and a Complex Personal Life
Accounts of Shuliak's character present stark contrasts. Some insiders labelled her "the inspector" due to alleged intense jealousy, while others, like author Michael Wolff, recalled her as "absolutely silent" in social settings. Her emails to Epstein, spanning their relationship, reflect this complexity—from professions of unwavering love in 2012 to expressions of deep distress in 2013, and later, mundane concerns about transporting her pets. Notably, for much of her association with Epstein, Shuliak was married to Jennifer Kalin, another figure within his circle, in a 2013 wedding. This arrangement has been cited by lawyers for Epstein's victims as part of a pattern of "sham same-sex marriages" allegedly used to facilitate citizenship for individuals within his network.
Financial Support and Professional Links
Epstein reportedly financed Shuliak's dental education at Columbia University, leading to her registration as a dentist in Florida and California. She was also linked to a dental office in St Thomas, US Virgin Islands, sharing an address with one of Epstein's shell companies. Additional reports indicate he may have assisted with her mother's medical treatment. Despite the financial ties and the profound notoriety surrounding Epstein, Shuliak has maintained a resolute public silence, consistent with descriptions of her reserved nature. As the vast archive of Epstein documents continues to yield new information, the question remains whether this silence will finally be broken.
