History of Ghislaine Maxwell in Timeline

Ghislaine Maxwell is a British former socialite convicted in 2021 of child sex trafficking and other offenses related to Jeffrey Epstein's sex crimes. She was found guilty of helping Epstein abuse underage girls. In 2022, Maxwell was sentenced to 20 years in prison in the United States for her involvement in the crimes.

Sections (5)

Full Timeline Early Life & Education Career & Achievements Challenges & Struggles Controversies & Scandals

1994: Alleged crimes committed between 1994 and 1997

Ghislaine Maxwell allegedly assisted in the abuse of minor girls between 1994 and 1997, according to the indictment in July 2020.

1994: Recruitment of Jane Doe

In the summer of 1994, Ghislaine Maxwell and Jeffrey Epstein allegedly recruited a 13-year-old music student at the Interlochen Center for the Arts and subjected her to sexual abuse, according to a lawsuit filed in January 2020.

1995: Farmer meets Maxwell and Epstein

In 1995, Maria Farmer met Ghislaine Maxwell and Jeffrey Epstein at a New York art gallery reception, according to her affidavit filed in April 2019.

1996: Sexual Assault of Maria Farmer

In 1996, Maria Farmer alleges she and her 15-year-old sister were sexually assaulted by Jeffrey Epstein and Ghislaine Maxwell in separate locations, as detailed in an affidavit filed in April 2019. She claims she was assaulted in Leslie Wexner's Ohio mansion, and her sister was molested at Epstein's New Mexico property.

1997: Alleged crimes committed between 1994 and 1997

Ghislaine Maxwell allegedly assisted in the abuse of minor girls between 1994 and 1997, according to the indictment in July 2020.

1998: Maxwell Employed by Epstein

In March 2020, Ghislaine Maxwell claimed that she was a longtime employee of Jeffrey Epstein beginning in 1998, managing his properties until 2006.

2002: Maxwell becomes a US citizen

Since 2002, Ghislaine Maxwell became a naturalised US citizen.

2006: "Priscilla Doe" was recruited by Maxwell

In 2006, "Priscilla Doe" claimed she was recruited and trained by Ghislaine Maxwell to provide sexual services for Jeffrey Epstein, according to a lawsuit filed in August 2019.

2006: End of Employment with Epstein

In March 2020, Ghislaine Maxwell stated that she was employed by Jeffrey Epstein from 1998 until 2006, managing his properties.

2008: Rapes in Florida

In March 2021, a Broward County woman claimed that she was raped repeatedly in Florida in 2008 by Jeffrey Epstein and Ghislaine Maxwell, leading to her being trafficked.

2010: Maxwell Leaves the Country

In 2010, Ghislaine Maxwell reportedly left the country one day before Bradley Edwards was scheduled to take her deposition in a lawsuit filed by Jeffrey Epstein, claiming she needed to return to the United Kingdom to be with her ill mother. She returned within a month to attend Chelsea Clinton's wedding.

2015: Correspondence between Maxwell and Epstein

In July 2020, it was revealed that emails from 2015 between Ghislaine Maxwell and Jeffrey Epstein were included in additional documents released from the Giuffre v Maxwell defamation suit.

2016: Maxwell no longer photographed at events

By 2016, Ghislaine Maxwell was reportedly no longer being photographed at events, according to a report by The New York Times.

2016: Maxwell Marries Borgerson

In 2016, Ghislaine Maxwell married Scott Borgerson.

May 2017: Defamation Case Settlement

In May 2017, the defamation case brought by Virginia Giuffre against Ghislaine Maxwell was settled in Giuffre's favor, with Maxwell paying Giuffre "millions".

2017: Lawyers claim to not know Maxwell's address

By 2017, Ghislaine Maxwell's lawyers claimed before a judge that they did not know her address; they further stated that she was in London but did not believe she had a permanent residence.

2017: Motion for "alternative service" granted

During the 2017 lawsuit filed by Sarah Ransome against Ghislaine Maxwell, US District Judge John G. Koeltl granted a motion for "alternative service" because efforts to reach Maxwell were thwarted. This included hiring a private investigator to attempt service at three physical addresses, sending information to several email addresses, and contacting lawyers representing Maxwell in another lawsuit.

2017: Sarah Ransome files suit against Epstein and Maxwell

In 2017, Sarah Ransome filed a lawsuit in the US District Court for the Southern District of New York against Jeffrey Epstein and Ghislaine Maxwell, alleging that Maxwell hired her to give massages to Epstein and later threatened her if she did not comply with their sexual demands.

2018: Ransome suit settled

In 2018, the lawsuit filed by Sarah Ransome against Jeffrey Epstein and Ghislaine Maxwell was settled under undisclosed terms.

April 2019: Maria Farmer Files Affidavit

On April 16, 2019, Maria Farmer publicly filed a sworn affidavit in federal court in New York, alleging that she and her sister were sexually assaulted by Jeffrey Epstein and Ghislaine Maxwell in 1996.

July 2019: TerraMar Project Closure

In July 2019, the TerraMar Project, a nonprofit organization founded by Ghislaine Maxwell that advocated for ocean protection, announced its closure. This occurred less than a week after the sex trafficking charges against Jeffrey Epstein became public.

July 2019: Unsealing of documents ordered and Epstein arrested

In July 2019, the US Court of Appeals ordered the unsealing of documents from the earlier civil suit against Ghislaine Maxwell by Virginia Giuffre. On July 6, 2019, Jeffrey Epstein was arrested and charged with sex trafficking. Maxwell requested a re-hearing to keep documents sealed on July 17, 2019.

August 2019: Maxwell Spotted at Fast-Food Restaurant

In August 2019, it was reported that Ghislaine Maxwell was spotted dining at a fast-food restaurant in Los Angeles, according to photographs published by the New York Post. These photos were taken during a meeting with her friend and lawyer, Leah Saffian.

August 2019: Release of documents and Epstein's death

In August 2019, the first batch of documents was unsealed and released from the defamation suit by Virginia Giuffre against Ghislaine Maxwell. Jeffrey Epstein was found dead on August 10, 2019, after reportedly hanging himself in his Manhattan prison cell.

August 2019: Araoz files lawsuit against Epstein's estate and Maxwell

On August 14, 2019, Jennifer Araoz filed a lawsuit in the New York County Supreme Court against Jeffrey Epstein's estate, Ghislaine Maxwell, and unnamed members of his staff, made possible by New York State's Child Victims Act.

August 2019: Maxwell named in lawsuit by "Priscilla Doe"

On August 20, 2019, Ghislaine Maxwell was named in one of three lawsuits filed in New York against the estate of Jeffrey Epstein. The woman filing the suit, identified as "Priscilla Doe", claimed that Maxwell recruited and trained her.

September 2019: Terramar (UK) Closure Application

In September 2019, an application to close Terramar (UK), a UK-based company listing Maxwell as a director, was made, with the first notice appearing in The London Gazette on September 17, 2019.

October 2019: Araoz amends her complaint

On October 8, 2019, Jennifer Araoz amended her lawsuit complaint to include the names of Lesley Groff, Cimberly Espinosa, and Rosalyn Fontanilla as previously unidentified women enablers.

November 2019: Annie Farmer sues Maxwell and Epstein's estate

In November 2019, Annie Farmer, represented by David Boies, sued Ghislaine Maxwell and Jeffrey Epstein's estate in Federal District Court in Manhattan, accusing them of rape, battery, and false imprisonment and seeking unspecified damages.

November 2019: CBS This Morning Interview with Maria Farmer

In November 2019, Maria Farmer was interviewed on CBS This Morning, where she detailed the 1996 assault by Jeffrey Epstein and Ghislaine Maxwell and stated that Maxwell repeatedly threatened her career and life after the assault.

December 2019: Maxwell argues against document release and FBI investigation

In December 2019, Ghislaine Maxwell and her lawyers continued to argue against the further release of court documents. On December 27, 2019, Reuters confirmed that Maxwell was under investigation by the FBI for facilitating Epstein's criminal activities.

December 2019: Terramar (UK) Dissolved

In December 2019, the company Terramar (UK) was officially dissolved.

December 2019: Reuters reports Maxwell under FBI investigation

On December 27, 2019, Reuters reported that Ghislaine Maxwell was among those under FBI investigation for facilitating Jeffrey Epstein.

2019: Lawsuits in 2019

Ghislaine Maxwell refused to allow her lawyers to be served with lawsuits in 2019, including one by Maria Farmer and from Araoz, as was reported in January 2020.

2019: Maxwell Moves to New Hampshire Property

In late 2019, Ghislaine Maxwell relocated to a remote 156-acre property in Bradford, New Hampshire, where she employed former British military personnel for personal security.

January 2020: Lawyers refuse to accept service of lawsuits

As of January 30, 2020, Ghislaine Maxwell's lawyers had refused to accept service of three lawsuits against her on her behalf, and Maxwell was in hiding after Epstein's arrest.

January 2020: Lawsuit filed against Maxwell and Epstein regarding Interlochen student

In January 2020, a lawsuit was filed against Ghislaine Maxwell and Jeffrey Epstein alleging that they recruited a 13-year-old music student at the Interlochen Center for the Arts in the summer of 1994 and subjected her to sexual abuse.

March 2020: Maxwell sues Epstein's estate for legal costs

On March 12, 2020, Ghislaine Maxwell filed a lawsuit in the Supreme Court of the Virgin Islands seeking compensation from Jeffrey Epstein's estate for her legal costs, claiming she was his longtime employee from 1998 to 2006.

July 2020: Maxwell's Arraignment Reveals Marriage

During her arraignment in July 2020, federal prosecutors disclosed that Ghislaine Maxwell was married, although she did not reveal the identity of her spouse or their financial details at the time.

July 2020: Maxwell Charged with Federal Crimes

In July 2020, Ghislaine Maxwell was charged with six federal crimes, including enticement of minors, sex trafficking of children, and perjury. US President Donald Trump expressed well wishes for her.

July 2020: USVI prosecutors investigate Maxwell

In July 2020, a court filing from the USVI Department of Justice, released on July 10, 2020, stated that Ghislaine Maxwell was also under investigation for her alleged participation in Jeffrey Epstein's sex trafficking operation in the US Virgin Islands.

July 2020: Maxwell pleads not guilty and is denied bail

On July 14, 2020, Ghislaine Maxwell appeared by video link before a court in Manhattan and pleaded not guilty to the charges. She was denied bail as a flight risk.

July 2020: Maxwell arrested by FBI

On July 2, 2020, Ghislaine Maxwell was arrested in Bradford, New Hampshire, US, by the FBI using an IMSI-catcher mobile phone tracking device on a phone used by her to call her husband, sister, and one of her lawyers.

July 2020: Release of additional documents

On July 30, 2020, additional documents from the Giuffre v Maxwell defamation suit were released, including a deposition given by Giuffre and email exchanges between Maxwell and Epstein.

December 2020: Bail request rejected

In December 2020, Ghislaine Maxwell's attorney reiterated her request for bail, proposing Maxwell reside with a friend in New York City while under 24-hour surveillance, with her husband offering US$22 million to guarantee her presence. On December 28, 2020, the bail request was again rejected.

December 2020: Marriage to Borgerson Revealed

In December 2020, it was revealed that Ghislaine Maxwell had married Scott Borgerson in 2016.

January 2021: Court hearing disrupted by QAnon believers

On January 19, 2021, a court hearing was disrupted by believers in QAnon as the proceedings were illegally livestreamed to YouTube.

March 2021: Maxwell named in civil suit by Broward County woman

In March 2021, Ghislaine Maxwell was named in a civil suit filed against Jeffrey Epstein's estate by a Broward County woman who accused Epstein and Maxwell of trafficking her after repeatedly raping her in Florida in 2008.

March 2021: New Charges Added

In March 2021, US prosecutors added new charges of sex trafficking a minor and sex trafficking conspiracy against Ghislaine Maxwell. It was alleged that Maxwell was involved in grooming a fourth girl, aged 14, to engage in sexual acts with Jeffrey Epstein between 2001 and 2004. Maxwell pleaded not guilty to the additional charges and faced six counts, including sex trafficking of a minor, sex trafficking conspiracy, and two counts of perjury.

April 2021: Ruling on Separate Trials

In April 2021, US District Judge Alison Nathan ruled that Ghislaine Maxwell would face two separate trials, one for sex trafficking charges and another for perjury.

April 2021: Maxwell Held at Metropolitan Detention Center

As of April 2021, Ghislaine Maxwell was held at the Metropolitan Detention Center in Brooklyn, New York.

July 2021: Trial date set

On July 2020, Ghislaine Maxwell's trial date was set for 12 July 2021.

November 2021: Court Appearance and Trial Commencement

In November 2021, Ghislaine Maxwell appeared in court on November 15, 2021. Her trial commenced on November 29, 2021, with opening statements. Twelve jurors and six alternates were selected from a pool of forty to sixty people.

December 2021: Second Criminal Trial for Perjury

In December 2021, Ghislaine Maxwell faced a second criminal trial for perjury, based on two charges that she lied under oath during a civil suit in 2015 regarding Epstein's abuse of underage girls. Each count carried a maximum sentence of five years in prison. However, prosecutors indicated that the perjury charges would be dropped if she were sentenced on the sex trafficking charges as scheduled.

December 2021: Trial Updates and Jury Concerns

In early December 2021, Twitter suspended the account "@TrackerTrial", which monitored Maxwell's trial and had 525,000 followers. On December 28, 2021, Judge Nathan extended the jury's sitting times due to rising COVID-19 infections, to avoid a potential mistrial.

December 2021: Conviction

On December 29, 2021, Ghislaine Maxwell was convicted by a jury in US federal court on five sex trafficking-related counts, facing up to 65 years' imprisonment. She was acquitted on the charge of enticing a minor to travel for illegal sex acts. Annie Farmer, a witness, expressed hope that the verdict would bring solace. Maxwell's family announced the beginning of the appeal process.

April 2022: Retrial Request Denied

On April 1, 2022, the judge dismissed Maxwell's request for a new trial. Maxwell sought a retrial based on the grounds that a juror did not disclose during jury selection that he had been sexually abused as a child.

June 2022: Sentencing

On June 28, 2022, Ghislaine Maxwell was sentenced to 20 years in prison. Prosecutors sought a sentence of at least 30 years. The judge emphasized Maxwell's direct and repeated participation in a scheme to entice, transport, and traffic underage girls for sexual abuse with Jeffrey Epstein.

July 2022: Appeal Filed and Prison Transfer

In July 2022, Ghislaine Maxwell appealed her conviction on July 7. On July 25, 2022, she was transferred from Metropolitan Detention Center, Brooklyn, to a low-security federal prison in Tallahassee.

August 2022: Lawsuit for Unpaid Legal Fees

In August 2022, Ghislaine Maxwell's former lawyers sued her, alleging that she failed to pay $878,000 in legal fees.

January 2024: Release of previously sealed documents in Giuffre's civil case

On January 3, 2024, over 900 pages of previously sealed documents relating to Virginia Giuffre's civil case against Ghislaine Maxwell were made public following litigation by the Miami Herald, with further documents released on January 4.

September 2024: Conviction and Sentence Upheld

On September 17, 2024, three judges at the US Court of Appeals for the Second Circuit upheld Ghislaine Maxwell's five convictions and sentence.

April 2025: Supreme Court Appeal Attempt

In April 2025, Ghislaine Maxwell's lawyer, David Oscar Markus, asked the Supreme Court to hear an appeal, and made a new filing after her prison interview with Todd Blanche. The petition tested whether an agreement by one federal prosecutor binds his colleagues across the country.

July 2025: Subpoena and Interview

In July 2025, James Comer of the US House Committee on Oversight and Accountability subpoenaed Maxwell to testify under oath about her involvement with Epstein. She responded through her lawyer, demanding immunity. Deputy Attorney General Todd Blanche interviewed Maxwell on July 24 and 25, 2025, during which Maxwell stated that Trump had not done anything of concern in her presence. Interest in her case had peaked with the publication of a letter from Trump to Epstein in Rupert Murdoch's Wall Street Journal, prompting a lawsuit against the newspaper.

September 2025: DOJ and Schnitt Response

In September 2025, the DOJ and Joseph Schnitt responded to a video in which Schnitt claimed that Maxwell was transferred to a lesser-security prison to "keep her mouth shut." The DOJ and Schnitt stated that Schnitt had no connection to the Epstein case. On August 22, the Department of Justice released transcripts and recordings of interviews with Maxwell.