Relationship between Jeffrey Epstein and members of the Rothschild family

Coat of arms of the Rothschild family (left) and a 2013 mugshot of Jeffrey Epstein (right). The Rothschilds and Epstein were in close contact until 2019.

In 2026, following the release of the Epstein files by the United States Department of Justice, media outlets revealed a relationship between a few members of the Rothschild family and the American convicted child sex offender Jeffrey Epstein.[1][2] In 2016, Epstein stated that he "represent[s]" a few members of the Rothschild family.[3][4]

History

1990s

Jeffrey Epstein said he had given Lynn Forester de Rothschild financial help in the 1990s during her divorce from Andrew Stein, although a spokesperson for Rothschild said this was "one hundred percent false." According to Epstein's lawyer, Alan Dershowitz, he was introduced to Epstein by Rothschild, who referred to him as an "interesting autodidact" who he would enjoy getting to know.[5] According to Ghislaine Maxwell, it was Rothschild who introduced Prince Andrew to Epstein.[6] It was at a house owned by the Rothschilds in Martha's Vineyard where Peter Mandelson was introduced to Epstein.[7]

2010–2019

Annabelle Neilson (formerly Rothschild) was identified as having emailed Epstein numerous times between 2010 and 2012, after his 2008 conviction for soliciting prostitution from a minor.[8] In the emails, Neilson agreed to 'put together a group of girls' for Epstein and noted that some were 'unfortunately past their sell-by date'.[9] Another email from a redacted sender to an account named Annabelle Neilson on 26 January 2011 reads "Hey Annabelle, let's you and I try and find something cute for JE tonight."[10]

Emails from Ghislaine Maxwell in August 2010 warned Epstein to "be careful" of Neilson.[11] In one email, Epstein asked "Any thing cute for after", Neilson replies "Cute as in cuddle toy? or cute as in badly behaved English girls." She added "There is a little thing for my very young friend who is lunching her bikini range at Morton's but that might just drive you made!!! I have a friend I might call."[12]

Scheduling documents showed Ariane de Rothschild had more than a dozen meetings with Epstein from 2013 to 2019. She bought nearly $1 million worth of auction items on Epstein's behalf in 2014 and 2015, and in October 2015 negotiated a $25 million contract for Epstein's Southern Trust Co. to provide risk analysis services for the bank. In 2019, following Epstein's arrest, the bank initially stated that de Rothschild had never met Epstein and the bank had no business links with him; the bank later acknowledged to The Wall Street Journal that this statement was not accurate. The bank stated that de Rothschild had no knowledge of any legal proceedings against Epstein and "was similarly unaware of any questions regarding his personal conduct".[13]

The Luxembourg newspaper L'essentiel noted that emails of personal exchanges, notably concerning Luc Frieden.[14] Ariane de Rothschild emailed Epstein: "Dear Jeff, sorry, not often, but was totally depressed. Difficult to see sense [in] all of it, when family life is on fire. But [i'll] get over it. Can we speak 6:00 pm my time? Tomorrow [I] have to go to Luxembourg for board & lunch with ex finance minister- luc Frieden. Any opinion about him? I hope that you are well." Epstein responded with "I fully understand. yes 6 fine,".[14]

Furthermore, in 2016, Epstein attempted to secure admission to Columbia University in New York, which other universities benefited from its scholarship funding totaling approximately $200,000 in donations, for Alice de Rothschild, daughter of Ariane de Rothschild, by enlisting the help of Nobel laureate in Physiology or Medicine, Richard Axel, to exert pressure on an endeavor that ultimately failed.[15].

According to leaked emails and investigative reports released in late 2025, former Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Barak and Ariane de Rothschild were linked through a network of business and political dealings brokered by Epstein.[16][17]

References

  1. ^ ""You're going to be very stressed": Jeffrey Epstein and Ariane de Rothschild, a great friendship that came at a high price". parismatch.com (in French). 2026-02-04. Retrieved 2026-02-05.
  2. ^ Lefilliâtre, Jérôme (2026-02-04). "Entre Jeffrey Epstein et la banquière Ariane de Rothschild, une vraie proximité d'affaires" (in French). Retrieved 2026-02-05.
  3. ^ "Jeffrey Epstein's business ties with banker Ariane de Rothschild revealed". Le Monde. Archived from the original on 2026-02-12. Retrieved 2026-02-25.
  4. ^ "EFTA02470744" (PDF). justice.gov. Archived (PDF) from the original on 2026-03-04. Retrieved 2026-02-25.
  5. ^ Bruck, Connie (July 29, 2019). "Alan Dershowitz, Devil's Advocate". The New Yorker. Archived from the original on July 31, 2019. Retrieved July 31, 2019.
  6. ^ Crisp, James (23 August 2025). "The British philanthropist who 'brought Epstein and Andrew together'". The Telegraph. Archived from the original on 29 October 2025. Retrieved 25 February 2026.
  7. ^ Boffey, Daniel; reporter, Daniel Boffey Chief (2026-02-02). "'Where r u? I miss you': how vivid new Epstein emails sealed Mandelson's fate". The Guardian. ISSN 0261-3077. Retrieved 2026-02-02.
  8. ^ Hughes, Seren (4 February 2026). "British socialite got girls for Epstein, emails suggest". The Times. Archived from the original on 7 February 2026. Retrieved 9 February 2026.
  9. ^ Cooper, Brenna (6 February 2026). "British model apologised to Jeffrey Epstein because 'her girls were past their sell by date'". LADbible. Archived from the original on 8 February 2026. Retrieved 9 February 2026.
  10. ^ Haygarth, Dan (6 February 2026). "British socialite 'put together group of girls' for Jeffrey Epstein, emails suggest". The Independent. Retrieved 9 February 2026.
  11. ^ Ellery, Ben; Alt, Charlotte (5 February 2026). "Ghislaine Maxwell warned Jeffrey Epstein about British socialite". The Times. Retrieved 9 February 2026.
  12. ^ McTaggart, India (4 February 2026). "British socialite 'put some girls together' for Epstein". The Telegraph. Archived from the original on 8 February 2026. Retrieved 9 February 2026.
  13. ^ Safdar, Khadeeja; Benoit, David (April 30, 2023). "Epstein's Private Calendar Reveals Prominent Names, Including CIA Chief, Goldman's Top Lawyer". The Wall Street Journal. Archived from the original on December 19, 2025. Retrieved February 1, 2026.
  14. ^ a b "Mme de Rothschild à Epstein: «Ton avis sur Luc Frieden?»". L'essentiel (in French). 2026-02-02. Archived from the original on 2026-02-02. Retrieved 2026-02-03.
  15. ^ Otterman, Sharon (2026-02-10). "Epstein Used Cash to Wield His Influence at Columbia and NYU". GV Wire. Retrieved 2026-02-13.
  16. ^ Erin Hale, John Power (2025-12-09). "Israel's ex-PM Ehud Barak and Epstein had close relationship, emails reveal". Al Jazeera. Archived from the original on 2025-12-19. Retrieved 2025-12-25.
  17. ^ Grim, Ryan (2025-11-18). "Jeffrey Epstein Pursued Swiss Rothschild Bank to Finance Israeli Cyberweapons Empire". Drop Site News. Retrieved 2025-12-25.
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