Epstein's Final Blueprint: Secret Trust Reveals $630M Fortune Destined for 43 Names, Including Fiancée

Two days before Jeffrey Epstein was found dead in his Manhattan jail cell, the financier signed a document that would serve as his final financial blueprint. The contents of “The 1953 Trust,” which remained under seal for years, were made public this week, revealing a detailed plan to distribute his then-$630 million fortune to 43 individuals upon his death.

The trust, filed as part of a trove of documents released under the Epstein Files Transparency Act, shows Epstein significantly expanded his list of beneficiaries in the months leading to his August 2019 suicide. Most notably, it outlines a $100 million bequest—alongside his Manhattan mansion, Paris apartment, New Mexico ranch, and private Caribbean islands—to Karyna Shuliak, a dentist identified as his fiancée. A handwritten note on the document states Epstein had given her a 32.73-carat diamond ring "in contemplation of marriage."

Shuliak, the last known person outside the correctional center to speak with Epstein before his death, stands as the primary beneficiary. The documents also name longtime Epstein lawyer Darren Indyke ($50 million) and accountant Richard Kahn ($25 million) as major recipients and intended trustees.

This final trust replaced an earlier version from January 2019, which had named Celina Dubin—the daughter of Epstein's ex-girlfriend Eva Andersson Dubin—as the largest beneficiary. A representative for the Dubin family stated both Celina and her mother formally renounced any potential inheritance from Epstein upon learning of their inclusion.

The list includes employees, pilots, academics who received his funding, and British socialite Ghislaine Maxwell, who was set to receive $10 million. Maxwell is currently serving a 20-year sentence for her role in Epstein’s sex-trafficking operation.

Epstein’s estate has since been whittled down by litigation, victim compensation, and expenses. A recent accounting showed about $127 million remains. An attorney for the estate executors emphasized that no beneficiary will receive funds until all creditor claims, including those from victims, are fully satisfied.

The release of the trust offers a rare, albeit heavily redacted, glimpse into Epstein's inner circle and his last-minute financial maneuvers while awaiting trial on federal sex-trafficking charges.

Reactions & Analysis

David Chen, Financial Crimes Analyst: "The structure and timing are telling. Creating a 'pour-over trust' days before death, while incarcerated, suggests a deliberate attempt to control the posthumous narrative and asset flow. The sheer number of beneficiaries, many with professional ties to him, indicates a strategy to ensure loyalty and silence through financial entanglement."

Marcus Thorne, Victims' Rights Advocate: "It's grotesque. While survivors fought for years for compensation, this document shows Epstein was busy in his cell carving up his fortune for his inner circle, including a convicted accomplice. The fact that Maxwell is listed for a $10 million payout is a slap in the face to every single victim. It underscores the profound imbalance of power that defined his life and continues in his death."

Eleanor Vance, Estate Law Professor: "Legally, this is a complex 'testamentary substitute' designed to bypass some probate scrutiny. The two-year disbursement delay and clauses about employee cooperation with investigations show the drafters were acutely aware of ongoing legal battles. Its effectiveness was ultimately neutered by the estate's insolvency and the prioritization of victim claims."

Anya Petrova, Investigative Journalist: "Beyond the dollar figures, the document is a social ledger. It maps Epstein's network—who was in favor at the very end. The removal of the Dubin family and the elevation of Shuliak and his closest professional aides signal a shifting inner circle in his final, desperate days."