A handwritten note on a financial document, signed by the longtime bachelor just two days before his death in prison, reveals he gave then-girlfriend Karyny Shuliak a 32.73-carat diamond ring “for the purpose of marriage.”
After his death, Epstein planned to leave his fiancee $100 million and all his assets, including a mansion in Manhattan, an apartment in Paris, a ranch in New Mexico and two private islands in the US Virgin Islands.
These details are outlined in a document known as the “1953 Foundation,” in which the well-connected billionaire and convicted pedophile outlined who would inherit his estate, then estimated at $630 million.
He signed the document on August 8, 2019, while in custody in Manhattan on federal human trafficking charges, and it was finalized later that month.
Although its existence was mentioned in a publicly available will and in court cases surrounding his estate, the contents remained secret for years after his death. “The 1953 Foundation.” it replaced the previous document on financial planning from January of the same year. Redacted versions of both documents were released as part of a collection of Epstein files under the Transparency Act.
Together, the documents from the two foundations offer insight into the disgraced financier’s inner circle, including Shuliak, as well as his relationship with ex-girlfriend Eva Andersson Dubin and her eldest daughter. Nothing in the documents indicates any misconduct by any of the individuals named, many of whom have previously been identified as Epstein’s associates and who have publicly condemned his actions.
“The 1953 Foundation.” never entered into force. It was designed so that Epstein’s assets would be transferred to it after all probate issues had been settled.
In September 2025, according to the last publicly available report, Epstein’s estate had about $127 million. Since his death, it has been burdened with lawsuits and negotiations with creditors. The compensation program paid out $125 million to more than 100 victims, and hundreds of millions of dollars were spent on taxes, settlements and other costs.
Karyna Shuliak, a dentist by profession, is the biggest beneficiary of the “1953 Foundation”. She is also the last person outside the Manhattan jail known to have spoken to Epstein. The night before his death, he spent 20 minutes in an unrecorded phone conversation with her, according to Federal Bureau of Prisons records. Shuliak did not respond to requests for comment.
Change in will
In the January 2019 foundation, the biggest beneficiary was supposed to be Celina Dubin, the eldest daughter of Eva Andersson Dubin and hedge fund billionaire Glenn Dubin. Andersson Dubin, a former Miss Sweden turned doctor, was in a relationship with Epstein before marrying Glenn.
The couple have three grown children who grew up with the man they called “Uncle Jeff.” A representative for the family previously said they were “appalled” by Epstein’s behavior and would have “immediately severed all ties” if they had known.
According to that first foundation, Celina was to receive two of Epstein’s major properties—Zorro Ranch in New Mexico and an estate in the U.S. Virgin Islands—as well as the rest of the estate after all payments were made. A representative of the Dubin family stated that both Celina and her mother renounced any potential inheritance.
“Dr. Dubin never received any personal benefit, nor was she aware of being appointed to any of Epstein’s foundations,” the spokesperson said.
“When she learned in April 2020 that she was named as a conditional beneficiary, she immediately signed the Waiver and submitted it to the trustees of Epstein’s estate.” Celine Dubin’s name does not appear in the “1953 Foundation”, which replaced the previous one and was heavily redacted. Eva Andersson Dubin is listed only as a reserve commissioner.
Distribution of Epstein’s wealth
The documents show that Epstein significantly increased many inheritances before his death in August 2019.
The foundation’s January 2019 filing included 32 payments totaling nearly $225 million, while a later document listed 43 payments worth more than $330 million, including $100 million to Shuliak.
She is by far the biggest beneficiary: she was to receive 50 million dollars immediately, another 50 million through annuities, and all the assets. In a handwritten note, Epstein stated that, along with the engagement ring, he also gave her 48 uncut diamonds that she was to keep if the marriage did not take place and he died.
The next biggest beneficiaries are Darren Indyke, Epstein’s longtime lawyer, with $50 million, and Richard Kahn, his accountant, with $25 million. Both were also co-executors of the will.
“Neither they, nor any of the other more than 40 beneficiaries, will receive any money from the estate until all creditors and all claims, including claims made by women Mr. Epstein abused, are fully satisfied,” said Daniel Weiner, the attorney for the estate’s executors.
Many of the unredacted names in the documents belong to Epstein’s employees, such as housekeepers and pilots. Others are academics who collaborated with him and received funds for research. British socialite Ghislaine Maxwell, who is serving a 20-year sentence for pimping girls for Epstein, was to receive $10 million, although her name did not appear in the earlier foundation. Cecile de Jongh, the former First Lady of the US Virgin Islands and Epstein’s employee, was to receive $1 million.
Epstein’s brother Mark was to receive $10 million to be held in a trust for his children. “This is the first I’ve heard of it,” said Mark Epstein.
The documents became public after they were requested as part of the investigation into Maxwell. “The 1953 Foundation.” it also contained a stipulation that the funds would not be paid out for at least two years after Epstein’s death, and employees would be barred from receiving the money if Indyke or Kahn fired them.
In an e-mail to prosecutors, the executor’s lawyer stated that the clause would not be used to intimidate employees who would cooperate with the investigation.
(Vijesti.ba)
