Karyna Shuliak — why karyna shuliak will not inherit Epstein’s estate
karyna shuliak, long described as Jeffrey Epstein’s last companion and principal beneficiary, will not receive the multimillion-dollar bequest named in the will he wrote in his cell. American and French authorities have frozen the estate so the assets can be directed to a victims' compensation fund, leaving the 36-year-old New York resident with nothing from the inheritance.
Karyna Shuliak was listed as main beneficiary and last contact before Epstein's death
Shuliak appears as the main beneficiary in the will Epstein wrote in his cell before his death. She was the last person to speak with him on the phone shortly before his suicide in prison on August 10, 2019. The will named her as primary heir and laid out the assets he intended for her.
Will named $100 million, Manhattan townhouse, Paris apartment, islands and a $1. 2 million ring
The document put a $100 million figure on the cash bequest and listed Epstein’s properties: his Manhattan townhouse, an apartment on Avenue Foch in Paris, his private islands, and his ranch in New Mexico. The will also specified a 32-carat ring purchased for $1. 2 million.
Estate frozen by American and French authorities; funds to victims' compensation fund
Despite the will’s provisions, American and French authorities decided to freeze the assets so they could be allocated to a victims' compensation fund. As a result, the 36-year-old who now lives in New York will not receive any of the inheritance named in the document.
How she entered Epstein’s circle: a Minsk student, an August 2009 arrival, and Columbia admission
Her relationship with Epstein began in 2009, when Shuliak was a 20-year-old student of dental medicine at Minsk University and the financier was 36 years older than her. Epstein invited her to the United States, covering expenses and promising help with her studies and a visa application. She arrived in New York in August 2009, joining his household shortly after he had served his first prison sentence for procuring minors for prostitution.
Epstein arranged for her admission to Columbia University's College of Dental Medicine despite complications from her incomplete studies in Belarus; an email record shows Epstein made a "donation" of $100, 000 to the dean. He also lobbied business contacts and lawyers to help secure her residence permit.
Marriage, citizenship and emails that reflect Epstein’s influence
When her residence permit expired in 2013, Epstein suggested a marriage to one of his acquaintances, identified as Jennifer K., a former partner of Kimbal Musk, brother of Elon Musk. In August 2013, immigration lawyer Arda Beskardes wrote to Epstein: "We should also talk about the marriage as soon as possible. Are you in NYC?" The pair married in October 2013 and divorced in 2018, shortly after the Belarusian was granted American citizenship. An email from the lawyer added: "Now that she's an American, you should throw her a big ole party. " Multiple email exchanges about Shuliak’s status illustrate how Epstein used his networks and finances to maintain control.
Household manager, frequent passenger on the "Lolita Express, " and heavy presence in DOJ documents
Shuliak is described in records as simultaneously a lover, manager and dependent. She took on practical duties in Epstein’s world—acting as an interior decorator, managing orders for furniture and lamps, receiving uniforms for household staff and arranging meetings with influential personalities. Her name appears 40, 144 times in more than three million documents recently released by the US Department of Justice. Personal messages in the record show an emotional attachment: in 2012 she wrote, "I love you very much, you will always have me, no matter what, as long as it makes you happy, " and in another email she wrote, "You are the purest man out of all men. " She was also a regular passenger on the "Lolita Express. "
