History of Ghislaine Maxwell in Timeline
Ghislaine Noelle Marion Maxwell is a British former socialite and convicted sex offender. In 2021, she was found guilty of child sex trafficking and other offences in connection with the deceased financier and convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein. In June 2022, she was sentenced in a New York court to twenty years' imprisonment.
10 August 2019: Epstein Found Dead
Jeffrey Epstein was found dead on 10 August 2019 after reportedly hanging himself in his Manhattan prison cell.
10 July 2020: Maxwell Subpoena Difficulties
On 10 July 2020, a court filing from the US Virgin Islands Department of Justice stated that authorities had been unsuccessful in locating Ghislaine Maxwell to serve her with a subpoena. Maxwell was considered a 'critical fact witness' in their lawsuit against Epstein's estate and was also under investigation for alleged participation in Epstein's sex trafficking operation.
12 July 2021: Trial Date Set
The judge set a trial date of 12 July 2021 for Ghislaine Maxwell, amid concerns regarding her flight risk and opaque finances.
12 March 2020: Maxwell Filed Lawsuit for Legal Costs
On 12 March 2020, Ghislaine Maxwell filed a lawsuit in Superior Court in the US Virgin Islands seeking compensation from Jeffrey Epstein's estate for her legal costs. She claimed to have been a longtime employee managing Epstein's properties and denied any involvement in his criminal activities. Maxwell sought damages for her legal fees, which she alleged Epstein had promised to cover.
14 July 2020: Maxwell Pleaded Not Guilty
On 14 July 2020, Ghislaine Maxwell appeared by video link before a Manhattan court and pleaded not guilty to the charges against her. She was denied bail as a flight risk due to her opaque finances and skill at living in hiding.
17 July 2019: Maxwell Requested Rehearing
Ghislaine Maxwell requested a rehearing in a federal appeals court on 17 July 2019 to keep documents sealed that were part of a suit by Virginia Giuffre.
18 December 2020: Maxwell's Bail Request
On 18 December 2020, Ghislaine Maxwell's attorney reiterated her request for bail, proposing she reside with a friend in New York City under 24-hour surveillance while awaiting trial. Her husband, Scott Borgerson, made a secured offer of $22 million to guarantee her presence.
19 January 2021: Court Hearing Disrupted by QAnon Believers
On 19 January 2021, a court hearing was disrupted by QAnon believers who illegally livestreamed the proceedings to YouTube. They believe Maxwell is working with a cabal of child-sacrificing Satanist liberal elites who traffic children for sex.
December 1961: Birth of Ghislaine Maxwell
Ghislaine Maxwell was born in December 1961.
1961: Birth of Ghislaine Maxwell
Ghislaine Maxwell was born in 1961 in Maisons-Laffitte, Île-de-France, France, the youngest child of Elisabeth and Robert Maxwell.
1967: Death of Michael Maxwell
Ghislaine Maxwell's brother, Michael, passed away in 1967 after being in a prolonged coma from a car accident.
1973: Maxwell Learns Programming
In 1973, Ghislaine Maxwell's father introduced computers at their home, and her first job was learning to use a Wang 2200 and later programming.
1985: Maxwell Graduates Oxford
In 1985, Ghislaine Maxwell graduated from Balliol College, Oxford with a degree in Modern History with Languages.
1986: The Lady Ghislaine Yacht
In 1986, Robert Maxwell named his new yacht, the Lady Ghislaine, after his daughter.
November 1990: Maxwell Delivers Envelope for Father
Ghislaine Maxwell traveled to New York City on November 5, 1990, to deliver an envelope on behalf of her father as part of a plot to steal from Berlitz shareholders.
January 1991: Robert Maxwell Purchases the New York Daily News
Robert Maxwell bought the New York Daily News in January 1991 and sent Ghislaine Maxwell to New York City to act as his representative.
May 1991: Maxwell Represents Father's Business
In May 1991, Ghislaine Maxwell represented her father's business interests at an event honoring Simon Wiesenthal.
November 1991: Death of Robert Maxwell
Robert Maxwell's body was found floating in the sea in November 1991.
1991: Death of Robert Maxwell and Relocation to NYC
Following her father, Robert Maxwell's, death in 1991, Ghislaine Maxwell moved to New York City and continued to be a socialite.
1991: Maxwell Moves to the US
Ghislaine Maxwell relocated to the United States in 1991.
June 1992: Arrest of Ian and Kevin Maxwell
Ian and Kevin Maxwell, brothers of Ghislaine Maxwell, were apprehended on June 19, 1992, and charged with fraud in connection to the Mirror Group pension scandal.
1992: Maxwell's Role in Epstein's Household
Around 1992, Maxwell began to take on a more prominent role in Epstein's life, managing his staff and household affairs according to some accounts.
1992: Maxwell's Life in NYC
By 1992, Ghislaine Maxwell had moved into an apartment overlooking Central Park, was working at a real estate office, and socializing with celebrities.
1994: Maxwell Charged with Federal Crimes
Ghislaine Maxwell was charged with six federal crimes, including enticement of minors, sex trafficking of children, and perjury. The indictment stated that between 1994 and 1997, she assisted in the abuse of minor girls, knowing one of the victims was 14 years old.
1994: Alleged Recruitment and Abuse of Music Student
The lawsuit filed in January 2020 alleges that a 13-year-old music student was recruited by Epstein and Maxwell in the summer of 1994 and subjected to sexual abuse for several years. The lawsuit highlights that the alleged victim, like others, came from a disadvantaged background.
1995: Ghislaine Corporation Established
Epstein renamed one of his companies to "Ghislaine Corporation" in 1995, which was based in Palm Beach, Florida, highlighting Maxwell's close involvement in his business affairs.
1995: Farmer Meets Maxwell and Epstein
Maria Farmer stated that she first encountered Maxwell and Epstein at an art gallery reception in New York in 1995, a year before the alleged assaults.
January 1996: Acquittal of Ian and Kevin Maxwell
In January 1996, Ghislaine Maxwell's brothers, Ian and Kevin Maxwell, were acquitted of fraud charges related to the Mirror Group pension scandal after a three-and-a-half-year legal battle.
1996: Alleged Sexual Assault of Maria and Annie Farmer
Maria Farmer alleges that she and her 15-year-old sister, Annie, were sexually assaulted by Epstein and Maxwell in separate locations in 1996. Farmer claims she met the pair in 1995 and was later hired to work on an art project at Leslie Wexner's Ohio mansion, where the assault allegedly took place.
1996: Farmer Alleges Threats by Maxwell
Maria Farmer, in her November 2019 interview, accused Maxwell of making threats against her life and career after the alleged assault in 1996.
1997: Maxwell Charged with Federal Crimes
Ghislaine Maxwell was charged with six federal crimes, including enticement of minors, sex trafficking of children, and perjury. The indictment stated that between 1994 and 1997, she assisted in the abuse of minor girls, knowing one of the victims was 14 years old.
1997: Maxwell Believes Her Father Was Murdered
In 1997, Ghislaine Maxwell stated her belief that her father's death was not a suicide but rather a murder.
1997: Residence in Belgravia, London
Since at least 1997, Ghislaine Maxwell has maintained a residence in Belgravia, London.
1998: Ghislaine Corporation Dissolved
The Ghislaine Corporation, a company Epstein named after Maxwell, was dissolved in 1998.
1999: Alleged Recruitment of Virginia Giuffre
Virginia Giuffre alleges that she was recruited by Maxwell in 1999 when she was a minor and groomed for sexual exploitation by Epstein.
2 July 2019: Court Ordered Unsealing of Documents
On 2 July 2019, the US Court of Appeals for the Second Circuit ordered the unsealing of documents from a civil suit against Ghislaine Maxwell by Virginia Giuffre. This decision led to the public release of significant information regarding the case.
2 July 2020: Maxwell Arrested
Ghislaine Maxwell was arrested in Bradford, New Hampshire by the FBI on 2 July 2020. The arrest was facilitated through the use of a mobile phone tracking device on a phone she used to call her lawyer, her husband Scott Borgerson, and her sister Isabel.
2000: Move to New York Townhouse
In 2000, Maxwell moved into a 7,000-square-foot townhouse on East 65th Street in New York City, purchased through an anonymous limited liability company.
2000: Party at Sandringham House
Maxwell and Epstein attended a party hosted by Prince Andrew at the Queen's Sandringham House estate in 2000, reportedly in celebration of Maxwell's birthday.
2001: Alleged Involvement in Sex Trafficking
Between 2001 and 2004, Maxwell is alleged to have participated in the grooming of a 14-year-old girl for sexual acts with Epstein at his Palm Beach residence.
2002: Maxwell Naturalised as US Citizen
Ghislaine Maxwell became a naturalized US citizen in 2002. She also holds passports from France and the United Kingdom.
2003: Vanity Fair Profile on Epstein
A 2003 Vanity Fair article described Maxwell as Epstein's "best friend" and noted her significant role in organizing his life.
2004: Alleged Involvement in Sex Trafficking
Between 2001 and 2004, Maxwell is alleged to have participated in the grooming of a 14-year-old girl for sexual acts with Epstein at his Palm Beach residence.
2006: Alleged Recruitment and Training of "Priscilla Doe"
"Priscilla Doe" alleges that she was recruited in 2006 and trained by Maxwell with detailed instructions on how to provide sexual services for Epstein.
2007: Relationship with Scott Borgerson
Maxwell's relationship with Scott Borgerson, a fellow at the Council on Foreign Relations and founder of the hedge fund CargoMetrics, reportedly began in 2007. They resided together in Manchester-by-the-Sea, Massachusetts.
2008: Epstein's Conviction
Following Epstein's conviction for soliciting a minor for prostitution in 2008, Maxwell and Epstein were no longer seen together publicly, although Maxwell maintained a presence at social events.
2009: Epstein's Employees Testify
In 2009, several of Epstein's employees testified that he referred to Maxwell as his "main girlfriend" and described her role in managing his household and staff.
2010: Relationship with Ted Waitt and Attendance at Chelsea Clinton's Wedding
Following her time with Epstein, Maxwell was romantically linked to Ted Waitt, founder of Gateway Computers. She accompanied him to Chelsea Clinton's wedding in 2010.
2010: Maxwell's Deposition Evasion
In 2010, Ghislaine Maxwell agreed to provide a deposition in a lawsuit filed by Epstein against Bradley Edwards but reportedly left the country one day before the deposition, claiming she needed to be with her ill mother in the UK. She returned within a month to attend Chelsea Clinton's wedding.
2011: End of Relationship with Ted Waitt
Maxwell's relationship with Ted Waitt, which involved shared travel on his luxury yacht, ended in late 2010 or early 2011.
2012: Maxwell Founds a Non-Profit
In 2012, Ghislaine Maxwell established a non-profit group dedicated to ocean protection.
2012: Foundation of the TerraMar Project
In 2012, Maxwell established the TerraMar Project, a non-profit dedicated to ocean conservation.
2013: United Nations Advocacy for TerraMar
In 2013, Maxwell, accompanied Stuart Beck, a TerraMar board member, to two United Nations meetings to advocate for the project's ocean conservation goals.
January 2015: Civil Lawsuit and Allegations
Details from a civil lawsuit, made public in January 2015, revealed accusations from "Jane Doe 3", later identified as Virginia Giuffre, alleging that Maxwell recruited her as a minor in 1999 and groomed her for sexual exploitation by Epstein.
2015: Maxwell Retreats from Public Life
By late 2015, Maxwell had largely withdrawn from attending social events, marking a shift from her previously public lifestyle.
2015: Perjury Charges and Potential Second Trial
Maxwell faced potential perjury charges for allegedly lying under oath in 2015 during a civil lawsuit regarding Epstein's abuse of underage girls. If convicted, she could receive up to five years in prison for each count. However, prosecutors indicated they might drop these charges if she serves her full sentence in the sex trafficking case.
2015: Maxwell Denies Allegations
Maxwell issued a statement in 2015 denying allegations of involvement in Epstein's crimes, including acting as a procurer and facilitating alleged abuse.
2015: Giuffre Sues for Defamation
Virginia Giuffre filed a defamation lawsuit against Maxwell in 2015 in New York, alleging that Maxwell and Epstein had trafficked her and other underage girls for sexual exploitation.
April 2016: Sale of New York Townhouse
In April 2016, the New York City townhouse previously owned by Maxwell was sold for US$15 million.
2016: Marriage to Scott Borgerson
Ghislaine Maxwell married Scott Borgerson in 2016. This information wasn't revealed until December 2020.
May 2017: Settlement with Giuffre
Giuffre's 2015 defamation lawsuit against Maxwell was settled in Giuffre's favor in May 2017, with Maxwell reportedly paying her "millions," though the details remain confidential.
2017: Judge Granted Alternative Service
In 2017, District Judge John G. Koeltl granted a motion for 'alternative service' in a lawsuit filed by Ransome against Maxwell. The plaintiff's efforts to reach Maxwell were persistently thwarted, including attempts at three physical addresses and several email addresses.
2017: Ransome Files Lawsuit
Sarah Ransome filed a lawsuit in 2017 against Epstein and Maxwell, alleging that Maxwell hired her to give massages to Epstein and later threatened her to comply with sexual demands.
2018: Giuffre's Identity Revealed
A 2018 exposé identified "Jane Doe 3" from the 2015 lawsuit as Virginia Giuffre, who accused Maxwell of introducing her to Epstein and participating in her grooming for sexual exploitation.
2018: Ransome's Lawsuit Settled
Ransome's lawsuit against Epstein and Maxwell was settled in 2018 under undisclosed terms.
April 2019: Maria Farmer's Affidavit
Maria Farmer publicly accused Epstein and Maxwell of sexual assault in April 2019, filing a sworn affidavit detailing alleged abuse against her and her younger sister, Annie, in 1996.
July 2019: Closure of Maxwell's Non-Profit
Following sex trafficking allegations against Jeffrey Epstein in July 2019, the ocean protection non-profit organization founded by Ghislaine Maxwell announced the cessation of its operations.
July 2019: Closure of the TerraMar Project
The TerraMar Project ceased operations in July 2019, shortly after Epstein's arrest on sex trafficking charges.
August 2019: Reports of Living with Scott Borgerson
In August 2019, reports emerged that Maxwell had been residing in Manchester-by-the-Sea, Massachusetts, with Scott G. Borgerson, a fellow at the Council on Foreign Relations, since 2007.
August 2019: Araoz Files Lawsuit
Jennifer Araoz filed a lawsuit in New York against Epstein's estate, Maxwell, and three unnamed staff members on August 14, 2019, the same day New York's Child Victims Act took effect.
August 2019: Maxwell's Whereabouts and Photographed in Los Angeles
While Borgerson claimed ignorance of Maxwell's location in August 2019, the New York Post published photos of her at a Los Angeles fast-food restaurant. These photos were later revealed to have been taken during a meeting with her friend and lawyer.
September 2019: Closure of Terramar (UK)
Following the closure of the TerraMar Project, its UK-based counterpart, Terramar (UK), where Maxwell served as a director, initiated closure proceedings in September 2019.
October 2019: Araoz Amends Lawsuit
Araoz amended her lawsuit in October 2019 to include the names of three women she alleged were enablers of Epstein: Lesley Groff, Cimberly Espinosa, and Rosalyn Fontanilla.
November 2019: Annie Farmer Files Lawsuit
Annie Farmer, represented by David Boies, filed a lawsuit in November 2019 in Manhattan federal court against Maxwell and Epstein's estate, alleging rape, battery, false imprisonment, and seeking unspecified damages.
November 2019: Maria Farmer's CBS This Morning Interview
In a November 2019 interview on CBS This Morning, Maria Farmer recounted the alleged 1996 assault and claimed that Maxwell threatened her career and life afterward.
November 2019: Prince Andrew's BBC Interview
Prince Andrew discussed his friendship with Maxwell in a November 2019 BBC interview, revealing their connection dated back to her time as an Oxford undergraduate. He admitted to inviting Maxwell and Epstein to a gathering at Sandringham but denied any knowledge of inappropriate activities.
December 2019: Official Dissolution of Terramar (UK)
Terramar (UK) was officially dissolved in December 2019, marking the end of both organizations associated with Maxwell's ocean conservation efforts.
2019: Move to New Hampshire
Ghislaine Maxwell moved to a secluded property in Bradford, New Hampshire, in late 2019, employing ex-British military personnel for security.
2019: Legal Dispute over Residence
In 2019, Maxwell and Borgerson were involved in a legal dispute with their neighbors in Manchester-by-the-Sea regarding access rights to the Sharksmouth Estate, where they resided. Court documents and testimonies confirmed their cohabitation.
2019: Epstein's Death
Jeffrey Epstein died in 2019, marking the end of his public appearances with Ghislaine Maxwell.
January 2020: Lawsuit Alleging Recruitment of Music Student
A lawsuit filed in January 2020 accused Maxwell and Epstein of recruiting a 13-year-old music student in 1994 and subjecting her to sexual abuse over a four-year period. The lawsuit claims that Maxwell was instrumental in the student's recruitment and participated in the assaults.
January 2020: Refusal to Accept Lawsuits
In January 2020, it was reported that Ghislaine Maxwell had refused to allow her lawyers to be served with several lawsuits in which she was directly named in 2019 and 2020. Her lawyers continued to argue against the release of additional court documents while claiming not to know her whereabouts.
July 2020: Arrest
Ghislaine Maxwell was arrested in July 2020. At the time, federal prosecutors said she was married but did not disclose her spouse's identity.
July 2020: Arrest and Charges Filed Against Maxwell
In July 2020, Ghislaine Maxwell was apprehended and subsequently charged by the United States federal government with several crimes, including the enticement of minors and sex trafficking of underage girls, in connection with her association with Jeffrey Epstein.
October 2020: Borgerson Steps Down as CEO of CargoMetrics
Due to the publicity surrounding his connection to Maxwell, Scott Borgerson stepped down from his role as CEO of CargoMetrics, a hedge fund he founded, in October 2020.
December 2020: Marriage Revelation
It was revealed that Ghislaine Maxwell had married Scott Borgerson in 2016.
January 2021: Motion to Challenge Grand Jury Indictment
In January 2021, Maxwell's attorneys filed a motion challenging her grand jury indictment, arguing that it lacked ethnic diversity representative of the jurisdiction where the alleged offenses took place.
March 2021: New Sex Trafficking Charges Filed
In March 2021, US prosecutors brought additional charges against Maxwell, including sex trafficking of a minor and sex trafficking conspiracy. These charges stemmed from allegations of Maxwell's involvement in grooming a 14-year-old girl for sexual acts with Epstein between 2001 and 2004.
March 2021: Civil Suit Filed Against Maxwell
In March 2021, a Broward County woman filed a civil suit against Jeffrey Epstein's estate, naming Ghislaine Maxwell as an accomplice. The woman accused Epstein and Maxwell of trafficking her after repeatedly raping her in Florida in 2008.
March 2021: New Charges and Trial Delay
The first trial, originally scheduled for November 2021, was postponed due to new charges brought against Maxwell in March 2021. Maxwell's defense team successfully argued that the new charges did not provide them with adequate time to prepare.
April 2021: Ruling for Two Separate Trials
In April 2021, US District Judge Alison Nathan decided that Maxwell would face two separate trials: one for sex trafficking charges and another for perjury.
November 2021: Trial Commencement and Jury Selection
Maxwell's trial began in November 2021, with jury selection resulting in twelve jurors and six alternates from a pool of forty to sixty individuals.
December 2021: Conviction on Five Counts
In December 2021, Ghislaine Maxwell was convicted on five out of six counts, including sex trafficking of a minor, related to her association with Jeffrey Epstein.
December 2021: Suspension of Trial Monitoring Account on Twitter
In December 2021, Twitter suspended the account "@TrackerTrial," which had amassed 525,000 followers in two weeks while monitoring Maxwell's trial.
December 2021: Guilty Verdict in Sex Trafficking Trial
In December 2021, a US federal court jury found Maxwell guilty on five counts related to sex trafficking, with a potential sentence of up to 65 years in prison.
2021: Conviction of Ghislaine Maxwell
Ghislaine Maxwell was found guilty of child sex trafficking and other offences related to Jeffrey Epstein in 2021.
February 2022: Request for Public Docketing of Retrial Arguments
In February 2022, prosecutors requested that Maxwell's arguments for a retrial, submitted confidentially, be made public. The judge agreed, stating that the reasons for the sealed submission should also be disclosed.
April 2022: Judge Denies Retrial Request
In April 2022, the judge presiding over Maxwell's case denied her request for a retrial. The request was based on a juror's failure to disclose past sexual abuse, but the judge determined this did not warrant a new trial.
June 2022: Sentencing and Transfer to Federal Prison
Ghislaine Maxwell was sentenced to 20 years in prison in June 2022. Prior to her sentencing, she alleged threats from jail staff but did not provide specifics. Despite being placed on suicide watch, she assured the psychiatric team she was not suicidal.
June 2022: Sentencing of Ghislaine Maxwell
In June 2022, Ghislaine Maxwell was sentenced to twenty years' imprisonment for child sex trafficking and other offences related to Jeffrey Epstein.
July 2022: Appeal and Lawsuit for Legal Fees
In July 2022, Maxwell appealed her conviction. Later that month, she was transferred to FCI Tallahassee, a low-security federal prison for women. In a separate development, her former lawyers filed a lawsuit against her in August 2022, claiming unpaid legal fees amounting to $878,000.
August 2022: Lawsuit for Legal Fees
In July 2022, Maxwell appealed her conviction. Later that month, she was transferred to FCI Tallahassee, a low-security federal prison for women. In a separate development, her former lawyers filed a lawsuit against her in August 2022, claiming unpaid legal fees amounting to $878,000.
27 December 2019: Reuters Report on FBI Investigation
On 27 December 2019, Reuters reported that Ghislaine Maxwell was under FBI investigation for facilitating Jeffrey Epstein's criminal activities. After Epstein's arrest, Maxwell was in hiding, communicating with the courts only through her lawyers.
28 April 2021: Maxwell Held at Metropolitan Detention Center
As of 28 April 2021, Ghislaine Maxwell was held at the Metropolitan Detention Center in Brooklyn, New York. Her lawyers requested her release on $5 million bond with monitored home confinement while awaiting trial.
28 December 2020: Bail Request Rejected
On 28 December 2020, a further request for bail by Ghislaine Maxwell was rejected by the judge. The request was opposed by alleged victim Annie Farmer.
30 January 2020: Refusal to Accept Lawsuits
As of 30 January 2020, Maxwell's lawyers refused to accept service of three lawsuits against her. The New York Times reported that by 2016, Maxwell was no longer being photographed at events, and by 2017, her lawyers claimed they did not know her address.
30 July 2020: Additional Documents Released
On 30 July 2020, additional documents from the Giuffre v Maxwell defamation suit were released. These included a deposition by Giuffre and recent email exchanges between Maxwell and Epstein.
4 January 2024: Further Documents Released
Further documents were released on 4 January 2024, continuing the public disclosure of information related to the civil case against Ghislaine Maxwell.
6 July 2019: Epstein Arrested
On 6 July 2019, Jeffrey Epstein was arrested at Teterboro Airport in New Jersey. He was charged with sex trafficking and sex trafficking conspiracy.
9 August 2019: First Batch of Documents Unsealed
On 9 August 2019, the first batch of documents from the earlier defamation suit by Virginia Giuffre against Ghislaine Maxwell was unsealed and released.
