Despite Jeffrey Epstein passing away seven years ago, his presence continues to dominate media discussions.
In 2008, Epstein acknowledged his guilt in charges of soliciting prostitution, including with a minor. This led to an 18-month prison sentence, although he served slightly over a year before being freed.
By 2019, Epstein was again facing severe allegations. Yet, before he could stand trial, he was discovered lifeless in his jail cell on August 10, 2019, amidst accusations of sex trafficking.
Epstein’s death prior to any court proceedings has left many questions unanswered regarding his life, particularly any association with then-President Donald Trump, who once referred to him as a ‘terrific guy’.
Aside from the allegations, many are curious about how Epstein managed to accumulate his wealth and notoriety.
At the age of 66, Epstein’s career began as a mathematics teacher, before transitioning onto Wall Street.
He secured a position at Bear Stearns in 1976, and swiftly rose to become a partner in four years.
In 1981, Epstein was dismissed from Bear Stearns, allegedly for providing a loan to a friend for stock purchases. Subsequently, he founded J. Epstein and Co., later rebranded as Financial Trust Co.
The specifics of his business activities remain murky; however, affluent clients, such as Les Wexner, the ex-CEO of Victoria’s Secret, played a significant role in his financial success.
Epstein also financially benefited from Apollo Global Management’s co-founder, Leon Black.
Of the $800 million earned by Black and Wexner from 1999 to 2018, a staggering $490 million was reportedly paid to Epstein in fees, according to The Guardian.
His alleged services ranged from tax and estate planning to wealth management. Both Black and Wexner have expressed regret over their professional involvement with Epstein.
Epstein once identified himself as ‘an experienced and successful financier and businessman’, an ‘entrepreneur who has built several highly profitable companies’, and ‘one of the pioneers of derivative and option-based investing’.
At his death, Epstein’s net worth was estimated at approximately $600 million.
This wealth enabled him to own two private islands: Little Saint James and Great St James, in the United States Virgin Islands.
The Oversight Committee recently unveiled photos of Little Saint James, believed to be a location where Epstein allegedly took some of his victims.