money Matthew Goldstein and Sharon Otterman

Meet Jeffrey Epstein’s Girlfriend, Who Stands to Inherit Much of His Estate

Karyna Shuliak, 37, is a complicated and unusual figure in the disgraced financier’s world who has been trying to blend into obscurity since his death.

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Meet Jeffrey Epstein’s Girlfriend, Who Stands to Inherit Much of His Estate
Source: Matthew Goldstein and Sharon Otterman

The Quiet Heiress: Karyna Shuliak’s Link to the Epstein Estate

Years after the jailhouse suicide of disgraced financier Jeffrey Epstein, the complex web of his financial empire continues to unravel in probate courts and legal filings. At the center of the remaining estate disputes is Karyna Shuliak, a 37-year-old dentist originally from Belarus. Shuliak, who was Epstein’s romantic partner during his final years, has spent the period following his 2019 death attempting to recede into total obscurity. However, her designation as a primary beneficiary of his highly liquid trusts ensures that she remains a figure of intense interest for federal prosecutors, tax authorities, and victims' advocates alike.

Shuliak’s relationship with Epstein began years before his arrest on federal sex-trafficking charges. According to court records and property filings, Epstein funded Shuliak’s expensive dental education and integrated her into his complex financial network. Shortly before his arrest, Epstein established the 1953 Trust—a vehicle that became the primary repository for much of his remaining wealth. Legal analysts note that the structure of this trust was meticulously designed to shield assets from public scrutiny and civil litigation. "The architecture of Epstein's estate was engineered to withstand severe legal storms," says Marcus Vance, a veteran New York estate litigation attorney. "By using offshore entities and private trusts, he ensured that designated beneficiaries like Shuliak could quietly inherit millions, largely out of reach of standard probate proceedings."

The distribution of these assets remains highly controversial, given the massive claims brought against the estate by Epstein’s victims. While the Epstein Victims’ Compensation Program successfully distributed over $121 million to more than 135 claimants, tens of millions of dollars in disputed assets remain. Shuliak’s claims to the estate are complicated by several factors:

  • The U.S. Virgin Islands Lawsuits: Local authorities have aggressively pursued the estate for tax evasion and consumer fraud, claiming Epstein used shell companies to conceal unlawful activity.
  • The Marriage of Convenience Claims: Department of Justice officials previously scrutinized Shuliak's brief marriage to another Epstein associate, questioning whether it was arranged to secure her residency status in the United States.
  • The Trust Allocations: As a designated beneficiary of the 1953 Trust, Shuliak stands to inherit a fortune that could include luxury properties and foreign bank accounts, despite ongoing efforts by creditors to freeze the funds.

Today, Shuliak resides in Florida, maintaining an ultra-low profile and avoiding the media glare that has consumed other figures in Epstein’s inner circle, such as Ghislaine Maxwell. Yet, as the final accounting of the Epstein estate nears completion, her legal representatives continue to quietly assert her rights to the remaining funds. For the victims who have spent years fighting for justice, Shuliak’s potential windfall represents a frustrating loophole in a legal system where the assets of the wealthy can outlive their crimes.