Epstein's Final Romance: The Belarusian Girlfriend Who Stood to Inherit Millions
Freshly unsealed legal documents have cast a stark spotlight on the twilight relationship between convicted paedophile Jeffrey Epstein and Karyna Shuliak, a Belarusian woman nearly forty years his junior. As the U.S. Department of Justice releases millions of pages from the Epstein files, intricate details emerge about the financier's final wishes and the enigmatic woman who remained by his side.
A Fortune Promised: From Paris Flats to 33-Carat Diamonds
The contours of Epstein's last will, signed merely two days before his August 2019 jail cell suicide, have long been shrouded in mystery. The recent document dump, however, provides unprecedented clarity. It reveals Epstein intended to channel his rumoured $577 million estate through a trust agreement, with Shuliak positioned as a primary beneficiary.
The intended bequests were staggeringly opulent:
- A ranch property in New Mexico
- A luxury apartment in Paris
- His infamous private island, Little St. James
- The notorious New York townhouse
- Approximately $50 million in assets
- A spectacular 33-carat diamond ring, described in the will's margins as "set with a regular cut diamond, weighing approximately 32.73 carats, flanked by baguette cut diamonds mounted in platinum"
Handwritten notes beside the diamond specifically state it was given to Shuliak "in contemplation of marriage," hinting at a formal commitment Epstein considered. However, the ultimate distribution remains uncertain, with much of the estate already paid to victims in settlements and remaining assets entangled in U.S. Virgin Islands courts.
The Secret Son: Sarah Ferguson's Startling Congratulations
Adding profound complexity to this narrative is the emergence of messages allegedly sent by Sarah Ferguson, the former Duchess of York. In one particularly revealing communication, Ferguson appears to congratulate Epstein on the birth of a baby boy in 2011.
"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."
This revelation suggests Epstein, who was not publicly known to have fathered any children, may have had a secret son who would now be in his mid-teens. The identity of the alleged mother is not disclosed in the messages, and Shuliak is not directly named in relation to the child. Ferguson's subsequent message expresses surprise at the news, stating, "I did not even know you were having a baby."
Karyna Shuliak: From Dental Student to Epstein's Confidante
Shuliak's journey into Epstein's world began when she arrived in the United States from Belarus in 2009, aged just twenty. She reportedly entered his orbit soon after, potentially following his initial prison release. Epstein had pleaded guilty in 2008 to procuring a minor for prostitution, serving thirteen months in a remarkably lenient work-release programme before a year of house arrest in Palm Beach.
Sources indicate Shuliak's loyalty during this period of disgrace cemented their bond. "Everyone turned their backs on him after prison and denounced him as an anti-Christ, even his closest friends," an insider told the Daily Mail. "No one stayed with him except Karyna who was there until the very last moment."
Epstein reportedly financed her dentistry education at Columbia University, leading to professional registration in Florida and California. She was also linked to a dental office in St. Thomas, U.S. Virgin Islands, sharing an address with one of Epstein's shell companies. Further reports suggest he funded medical treatment for her mother.
A Decade of Contradictions: Jealousy, Silence and Sham Marriage
Accounts of Shuliak's personality present stark contradictions. Some sources dubbed her "the inspector" due to alleged intense jealousy and constant monitoring of Epstein's contacts. Conversely, author Michael Wolff recalled her as "absolutely silent" during social gatherings at Epstein's home.
The released emails reflect this emotional turbulence. A 2012 message reads: "I love you very much, you will always have me, no matter what, as long as it makes you happy." Yet a 2013 email strikes a darker tone: "You have absolutely ruined me today, each minute I am struggling to not cry." Later correspondence shows domestic concerns, including distress over transporting her cats to "the island" commercially.
Adding another bizarre layer, for much of her relationship with Epstein, Shuliak was legally married to Jennifer Kalin, another woman in his circle, in a 2013 ceremony. Lawyers for Epstein's victims have alleged his trafficking ring used "sham same-sex marriages" to secure citizenship for girls with minimal scrutiny. Kalin attended Ghislaine Maxwell's trial in 2021, with her attorney stating she wanted victims "to know they’re not alone." Shuliak and Kalin reportedly divorced in 2019, following Epstein's arrest.
The Final Hours and Enduring Silence
Epstein's death in prison spawned numerous conspiracy theories, though official investigations found no criminality. Shuliak is believed to have been the last person he telephoned before his suicide. True to her reportedly reserved nature, she has maintained complete public silence since his death, offering no commentary on the will, the alleged child, or her decade-long association with one of history's most notorious criminals.
As millions more documents from the Epstein files await scrutiny, questions persist. Will Karyna Shuliak ever break her silence? What ultimately became of the vast fortune Epstein promised her? And does a secret teenage son exist, forever linking Epstein's dark legacy to an unknown future? The search for answers continues, buried within countless pages of legal testimony and personal correspondence.
