History of Clare Bronfman in Timeline

Clare Webb Bronfman, heir to the Seagram liquor fortune, was convicted for her role in NXIVM, a cult masquerading as a self-help group. She was deeply involved in the organization, which operated near Albany, New York from 1998 to 2018. NXIVM's activities, including sex trafficking, led to federal charges against Bronfman and other leaders. Her conviction marked a dramatic fall from grace for the daughter of billionaire philanthropist Edgar Bronfman Sr.

1975: Edgar Bronfman Sr. and Rita Webb marry

Edgar Bronfman Sr. and Rita Webb married in 1975.

1979: Clare Bronfman is born

Clare Bronfman was born in 1979.

1983: Edgar Bronfman Sr. and Rita Webb remarry and divorce again

Edgar Bronfman Sr. and Rita Webb remarried in 1983 but divorced again later.

1998: Clare Bronfman's involvement with NXIVM begins

In 1998, Clare Bronfman became involved with NXIVM, a company that would later be exposed for criminal activities.

December 1999: Clare Bronfman competes in the Millstreet Indoor International Horse Show

In December 1999, Clare Bronfman competed in the Millstreet Indoor International Horse Show.

May 2001: Clare Bronfman wins Grand Prix at CSI-A Eindhoven

In May 2001, Bronfman won the Grand Prix at CSI-A Eindhoven (NED).

September 23, 2001: Clare Bronfman's team places seventh in the World Final of the Samsung Nations Cup Series

On September 23, 2001, Clare Bronfman's team placed seventh in the World Final of the Samsung Nations Cup Series (Jumping).

May 26, 2002: Clare Bronfman wins Grand Prix in Rome

On May 26, 2002, Clare Bronfman won the Grand Prix in Rome (ITA); her team placed sixth in the competition.

October 2002: Clare Bronfman places 13th at the CSI-A competition in Bremen

In October 2002, Bronfman placed 13th at the CSI-A competition in Bremen.

2002: Clare and Sara Bronfman become involved with NXIVM

Through her sister Sara, Clare Bronfman became involved in 2002 in NXIVM's personal advancement program and "Executive Success Program" ("ESP") workshops. The sisters became committed followers and financial backers of NXIVM founder Keith Raniere, relocating to upstate New York to work as NXIVM trainers.

October 2003: Forbes magazine features Keith Raniere on its cover

In October 2003, Forbes magazine featured Raniere on its cover along with the title "The World's Strangest Executive Coach". The article quoted Edgar Bronfman, Sr. as stating that he thought NXIVM was "a cult".

2007: Clare Bronfman allegedly begins employing private firms to investigate perceived enemies of NXIVM

From 2007 to 2009, Clare Bronfman, allegedly at the direction of Raniere, employed private firms to investigate perceived enemies of the group, including six American federal judges.

April 2009: The Dalai Lama writes the foreword to Raniere's book, "The Sphinx & Thelxiepeia"

The Dalai Lama additionally wrote in April 2009 the foreword to Ranieri's occult book entitled The Sphinx & Thelxiepeia.

May 6, 2009: The Dalai Lama travels to Albany to give a talk at the World Ethical Foundations Consortium's inaugural event

On May 6, 2009, the Dalai Lama traveled to Albany, NXIVM's hometown, to give a talk; during the event, he presented Raniere with a khatag (the ceremonial white scarf with the symbolic meaning of "purity" in Tibetan Buddhism) onstage.

2009: Clare Bronfman allegedly stops employing private firms to investigate perceived enemies of NXIVM

From 2007 to 2009, Clare Bronfman, allegedly at the direction of Raniere, employed private firms to investigate perceived enemies of the group, including six American federal judges.

June 2017: Sarah Edmondson reveals the existence of a "secret sisterhood" within NXIVM

In June 2017, NXIVM member Sarah Edmondson revealed the existence of a "secret sisterhood" within NXIVM to Frank Parlato, who published the story on the Frank Report. Edmondson revealed that within the secret group, female members were allegedly referred to as "slaves," branded with the initials of Raniere and Allison Mack, subjected to corporal punishment from their "masters", and required to provide nude photos or other potentially damaging information about themselves as "collateral".

July 2017: Clare Bronfman attempts to press charges against Sarah Edmondson

In July 2017, she contacted the New York City Police Department and the Vancouver Police Department, attempting to have criminal charges filed against DOS whistleblower Sarah Edmondson.

September 2017: Clare Bronfman and Keith Raniere draft letters threatening DOS whistleblowers with criminal prosecution

In September 2017, she and Raniere drafted letters which were ultimately sent by attorneys in Mexico to DOS whistleblowers, threatening them with criminal prosecution.

July 24, 2018: Clare Bronfman is arrested by federal agents

Bronfman was arrested by federal agents on July 24, 2018, in New York City, and charged with money laundering and identity theft in connection with NXIVM activities. She pleaded not guilty in the United States District Court for the Eastern District of New York in Brooklyn. She was released on $100 million bond and placed on house arrest with electronic monitoring.

October 1, 2018: Clare Bronfman is permanently banned by the United States Center for SafeSport

On October 1, 2018, after her involvement with NXIVM came to light, Clare Bronfman was permanently banned by the United States Center for SafeSport, which investigates and issues sanctions to members of Olympic sports accused of sexual misconduct. This rendered her ineligible for any involvement with the United States Equestrian Federation (USEF), which governs horse sports in the United States.

2018: NXIVM's criminal activities come to light

In 2018, NXIVM's criminal activities, including sex trafficking, came to light.

April 2019: Clare Bronfman pleads guilty to federal charges

In April 2019, Clare Bronfman pleaded guilty to conspiracy to conceal and harbor illegal aliens for financial gain and fraudulent use of identification.

April 19, 2019: Guilty Plea

On April 19, 2019, Clare Bronfman pleaded guilty to charges of conspiracy to conceal and harbor illegal aliens for financial gain and fraudulent use of identification.

January 2020: Civil Lawsuit

In January 2020, Clare Bronfman, along with her sister Sara and other NXIVM members, was named as a defendant in a civil lawsuit filed by 80 former NXIVM members. The lawsuit alleged fraud, abuse, and operation of a pyramid scheme by NXIVM.

September 2020: Federal judge Nicholas G. Garaufis sentences Bronfman

Federal judge Nicholas G. Garaufis when sentencing Bronfman in September 2020

September 2020: Clare Bronfman is sentenced to prison

In September 2020, Judge Nicholas Garaufis sentenced Clare Bronfman to six years and nine months in prison.

September 30, 2020: Sentencing

On September 30, 2020, Clare Bronfman was sentenced to six years and nine months in prison, fined $500,000, and ordered to pay $96,605 in restitution to a victim identified as "Jane Doe 12".

May 4, 2024: Release to Halfway House

On May 4, 2024, Clare Bronfman was released to a halfway house in the Bronx after serving a portion of her prison sentence.

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