Deepak Chopra and Jeffrey Epstein: What the DOJ Files Reveal About Their Friendship

Wellness guru and bestselling author Deepak Chopra is facing intense public scrutiny after a CNN investigation published February 23, 2026, revealed the full extent of his friendship with convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein — a relationship far more intimate than Chopra had previously acknowledged.

What the Epstein Files Show About Deepak Chopra

CNN found that Chopra and Epstein communicated regularly over email and text messages and on multiple occasions arranged to see each other in person. Messages indicate that Chopra visited Epstein at the convicted child sex offender's New York City townhouse, South Florida home, and Paris apartment. Over several years, the two men bantered about topics such as spirituality, health, wellness, and mutual friends, with Chopra often expressing warmth and affection toward Epstein by signing some messages with "Love" or "XO."

The DOJ's Epstein files also show that Epstein offered financial support to and discussed business ideas with Chopra over several years. Chopra and his co-founder of Jiyo, a wellness app, sought input from Epstein for the venture, and arranged a trip in July 2017 for Epstein to come to San Diego so they could walk him through the app's value proposition. Epstein then offered to forward the pitch to the "three chairmen of the largest insurers."

The Most Controversial Messages

On at least two occasions, Chopra encouraged Epstein to bring "girls" on trips. "Your girls would love it as would you." The same year, Epstein was asking Chopra to join a workshop he was hosting in Switzerland, and Chopra again encouraged Epstein to bring his girls. In one exchange, Chopra added, "God is a construct. Cute girls are real." Epstein wrote back, "When the girls say, oh my god…?" and Chopra replied: "Yes. That's divine transcendence."

In 2017, Chopra received a $50,000 check from "Gratitude America" — one of Epstein's foundations. Even when Epstein was facing bad publicity, Chopra told him: "Sorry, I am not concerned about that." He previously also advised Epstein to "Stay silent, meditate."

Chopra's UCSD Connection to Epstein

Newly released federal records show Jeffrey Epstein surfaced in a University of California, San Diego research proposal after an introduction from Chopra. Epstein instructed his accountant to send $25,000 from his Gratitude America foundation to the University of California Board of Regents in support of work at UCSD's Center for Brain and Cognition. UC San Diego's communications office told the campus paper it is aware of the issue and is reviewing the matter.

Chopra's Response and New Allegations

Following the document release, Chopra issued a statement on X on February 4, 2026, writing: "I am deeply saddened by the suffering of the victims in this case, and I unequivocally condemn abuse and exploitation in all forms. I was never involved in, nor did I participate in, any criminal or exploitative conduct. Any contact I had was limited and unrelated to abusive activity."

Chopra was subsequently confronted at an airport by a member of the public who questioned him about his relationship with Epstein. Chopra responded, "It will all come to light," and asserted, "No misconduct. Zero." He also said he would be willing to testify before Congress if called upon.

Amid the renewed attention, artist and entrepreneur Sevda Rubens alleged that Chopra behaved inappropriately toward her at a meditation event in Europe when she was 16. She alleged that Chopra gave her his phone number and suggested they meet late at night. She said she refused the request and walked away feeling uneasy. Chopra has denied any wrongdoing.

Wider Context: Chopra Is Not Alone

Chopra joins the ranks of other high-profile figures now trying to recast the nature of their relationship with Epstein by downplaying just how close they had once been. The revelation marks one more example of how Epstein had long tentacles into the worlds of entertainment, academics, and high society, even after he served jail time following his 2008 guilty plea for soliciting prostitution from a minor.

Legal analysts and reviewers of the Epstein document release have stressed that appearing in the files does not imply criminal liability — but for a public figure whose entire brand is built on trust, consciousness, and ethical living, the depth of the documented friendship has already reshaped how many view Deepak Chopra.