Warning: This article contains discussion of sexual abuse, sex trafficking, and suicide which some readers may find distressing.
Virginia Giuffre’s family may face a lengthy wait before they can access any financial settlements she received from Jeffrey Epstein and Prince Andrew.
On April 25, Virginia Giuffre died by suicide at her residence in Neergabby, Western Australia. Her family confirmed her death through a public statement.
In 2009, Giuffre accused Jeffrey Epstein and Ghislaine Maxwell of sex trafficking and grooming, alleging that she was coerced into having sexual relations with Prince Andrew at Epstein’s New York residence. Prince Andrew has denied these allegations.
Details later emerged of a settlement reached in 2009 between Epstein and Giuffre, where Epstein agreed to pay Giuffre $500,000 to drop the case without admitting any responsibility.
In 2022, Giuffre and Prince Andrew reportedly settled out of court for an alleged $16.3 million (£12 million), but Prince Andrew did not admit to any misconduct as part of the settlement.
Like any estate, the process of distributing Giuffre’s assets—which include her property and settlement funds—could take years. Lawyers will need to sort through her estate as per her will.
Co-op legal services describes probate as “the legal and financial process of dealing with the property, money, and possessions of a person who has died.” This process requires proving a will in court and establishing who is authorized to manage the estate, which can take from a few months up to two years.
Giuffre’s family mentioned on a GoFundMe page: “Virginia, through her fight and testimony, was able to amass settlements, but unfortunately, through this tragedy, as many of you may know, funds and estates can take years to settle.”
While her estate is being finalized in Australia, Giuffre’s family does not currently have access to any funds. Consequently, her U.S. family members have started a GoFundMe page to collect money for a ‘public memorial’ intended to ‘memorialize and celebrate her spirit’.
The GoFundMe page expresses gratitude: “First and foremost, thank you for the outpouring of love and support for our beloved Virginia. We know Virginia was not just a bright light to us but to many. The lives she touched, the strength, and the fight she has given us will live with us always.
“Though our family and many are experiencing an immeasurable sense of grief, we know that this will make us stronger – that is what Virginia would have wanted. With that, we think it is imperative that we find a way to leave her mark of legacy.”
The family of Giuffre aims for the public memorial to honor her memory and provide a place for ‘survivors and supporters’ to ‘share space with Virginia’.
“She deserves to have a permanent mark in this world that demonstrates her lasting impact,” the page continues.
The GoFundMe page also outlines the family’s intention to advocate for ‘new legislation for change’ in light of Giuffre’s efforts with the Statute of Limitations for sexual abuse.
It concludes: “It was Virginia’s life’s purpose to continue the fight and break the chains of silence! We will continue that mission with all our heart and soul. Together.”
If you’ve been affected by any of the issues in this article, you can contact The National Sexual Assault Hotline at 800.656.HOPE (4673), which is available 24/7. Alternatively, you can chat online via online.rainn.org.
If you or someone you know is struggling or in a mental health crisis, support is available through Mental Health America. Call or text 988 or chat at 988lifeline.org. You can also reach the Crisis Text Line by texting MHA to 741741.