While public attention fixates on high-profile names from politics and entertainment, freshly unsealed records from the U.S. Department of Justice paint a different picture. Among more than three million pages of documents released under the Epstein Files Transparency Act, Karyna Shuliak emerges as Epstein’s last known romantic partner and the primary beneficiary of a previously undisclosed trust signed just two days before his death in August 2019.
The document, dubbed the “1953 Trust” after Epstein’s birth year, outlines an ambitious bequest: $100 million for Shuliak, structured as $50 million in immediate cash plus a $50 million annuity. In addition, she stood to inherit a portfolio of luxury properties, including his Manhattan townhouse on the Upper East Side, the Paris apartment on Avenue Foch, the expansive Zorro Ranch in New Mexico, and the two private islands in the U.S. Virgin Islands. A handwritten note attached to the trust references a stunning 32.73-carat diamond ring—valued at over $1 million—along with 48 loose diamonds, given “in contemplation of marriage.”
Shuliak’s name surfaces tens of thousands of times across the files, revealing her deep involvement in Epstein’s daily operations. She handled household logistics like an experienced manager, ordering custom furniture, staff uniforms, and coordinating schedules with influential contacts. Emails describe her as detail-oriented, earning her the informal nickname “The Inspector.” Epstein reportedly supported her education, facilitating her transfer to Columbia University’s College of Dental Medicine, and assisted with her immigration process, including arrangements that helped secure her U.S. residency and eventual citizenship.
Their relationship began around 2012 when Shuliak, then in her early 20s and originally from Belarus, entered Epstein’s circle. She remained a constant presence through the years that followed, reportedly placing one of the final calls Epstein made from jail. In the trust, Epstein clearly prioritized her above other beneficiaries, including select associates and family members.
Yet the promised fortune has proven elusive. Epstein’s estate, once valued at over $600 million, has been significantly depleted by taxes, legal expenses, and payments into victim compensation funds. Many properties have been sold or frozen by authorities in the United States and France, leaving Shuliak unlikely to receive the full amount originally envisioned. Now in her mid-30s and living quietly in New York, she has maintained a low public profile since Epstein’s passing.
These revelations add an intriguing layer to the Epstein narrative. While media coverage often chases celebrity connections, the documents quietly highlight how one relatively private woman occupied a central role in his final chapter — both emotionally and financially. In the vast archive of the Epstein saga, Karina Shuliak stands as the understated figure who nearly inherited an empire.
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