History of Jeffrey Epstein in Timeline

Jeffrey Epstein was an American financier and convicted sex offender. Beginning his career in education and later transitioning to finance, he worked at Bear Stearns before establishing his own firm. Epstein cultivated relationships with influential figures while engaging in the sexual abuse and exploitation of numerous women and underage girls. His crimes led to widespread controversy and legal battles, and his death in custody sparked further investigations and scrutiny of his associates and the circumstances surrounding his offenses.

Sections (4)

Full Timeline Career & Achievements Challenges & Struggles Controversies & Scandals

1916: Seymour George Epstein Born

In 1916, Seymour George Epstein, Jeffrey Epstein's father, was born. He worked for the New York City Department of Parks and Recreation as a groundskeeper and gardener.

1918: Pauline Stolofsky Born

In 1918, Pauline "Paula" Stolofsky, Jeffrey Epstein's mother, was born. She worked as a school aide and was a homemaker.

1952: Marriage of Pauline and Seymour Epstein

In 1952, Pauline "Paula" Stolofsky and Seymour George Epstein married shortly before the birth of their son, Jeffrey Epstein.

January 20, 1953: Jeffrey Epstein's Birth

On January 20, 1953, Jeffrey Edward Epstein was born in Brooklyn, New York City, to Pauline Stolofsky and Seymour George Epstein.

1967: Attended National Music Camp

In 1967, Jeffrey Epstein attended the National Music Camp at the Interlochen Center for the Arts.

1969: Graduated from Lafayette High School

In 1969, Jeffrey Epstein graduated from Lafayette High School at the age of 16, having skipped two grades.

September 1971: Attended Courant Institute

In September 1971, Jeffrey Epstein attended the Courant Institute of Mathematical Sciences at New York University, studying mathematical physiology.

June 1974: Donald Barr Leaves Dalton School

In June 1974, Donald Barr, who served as the headmaster of Dalton School, left his position.

June 1974: Left Courant Institute

In June 1974, Jeffrey Epstein left the Courant Institute of Mathematical Sciences at New York University without receiving a degree.

September 1974: Started Teaching at Dalton School

In September 1974, at the age of 21, Jeffrey Epstein began working as a physics and mathematics teacher for teens at the Dalton School in Manhattan.

June 1976: Dismissal from Dalton and Job Offer

In June 1976, after Jeffrey Epstein was dismissed from the Dalton School for "poor performance", Alan Greenberg offered him a job at Bear Stearns.

1976: Joined Bear Stearns

In 1976, Jeffrey Epstein joined Bear Stearns as a low-level junior assistant to a floor trader.

1976: Dismissal from Dalton School

In 1976, Jeffrey Epstein was dismissed from the Dalton School. Following this, he transitioned into the banking and finance industry.

1980: Became Limited Partner

In 1980, four years after joining Bear Stearns, Jeffrey Epstein became a limited partner.

August 1981: Founded Intercontinental Assets Group Inc.

In August 1981, Jeffrey Epstein founded his own consulting firm, Intercontinental Assets Group Inc. (IAG).

1981: Met with Epstein and Leese

As early as 1981, an anonymous source met with Jeffrey Epstein and Douglas Leese.

1981: Asked to Leave Bear Stearns

In 1981, Jeffrey Epstein was asked to leave Bear Stearns for being guilty of a "Reg D violation".

1982: Assisted Ana Obregón

In 1982, Jeffrey Epstein assisted Spanish actress and heiress Ana Obregón in recovering her father's millions in lost investments.

1986: Epstein Met Wexner

In 1986, Jeffrey Epstein met Leslie Wexner through their mutual acquaintances, insurance executive Robert Meister and his wife, in Palm Beach.

1987: Hired as Consultant for Towers Financial Corporation

In 1987, Steven Hoffenberg hired Jeffrey Epstein as a consultant for Towers Financial Corporation and paid him US$25,000 per month.

1987: Unsuccessful Bid to Take Over Pan American World Airways

In 1987, one of Jeffrey Epstein's first assignments for Hoffenberg was to implement what turned out to be an unsuccessful bid to take over Pan American World Airways.

1988: Unsuccessful Bid to Take Over Emery Air Freight Corp

In 1988, an unsuccessful bid was made to take over Emery Air Freight Corp with help from Jeffrey Epstein.

1988: Founded J. Epstein & Company

In 1988, while Jeffrey Epstein was still consulting for Hoffenberg, he founded his financial management firm, J. Epstein & Company.

1989: Epstein Left Towers Financial Corporation

By 1989, Jeffrey Epstein left Towers Financial Corporation and was never charged for involvement in the massive investor fraud committed.

July 1991: Granted Full Power of Attorney

In July 1991, Leslie Wexner granted Jeffrey Epstein full power of attorney over his affairs.

1991: Seymour George Epstein's Death

In 1991, Seymour George Epstein, Jeffrey Epstein's father, passed away.

1993: Towers Financial Corporation Imploded

In 1993, Towers Financial Corporation imploded after it was exposed as one of the biggest Ponzi schemes in American history, losing over US$450 million of its investors' money.

1995: Director of Wexner Foundations

By 1995, Jeffrey Epstein was a director of the Wexner Foundation and Wexner Heritage Foundation.

1996: Changed Firm Name and Relocated

In 1996, Jeffrey Epstein changed the name of his firm to the Financial Trust Company and based it on the island of St. Thomas in the US Virgin Islands for tax advantages.

1998: Towers Financial Corp Founded

Towers Financial Corporation was founded in 1998.

2004: Pauline Stolofsky's Death

In 2004, Pauline "Paula" Stolofsky, Jeffrey Epstein's mother, passed away.

2005: Epstein Investigation Begins

In 2005, police in Palm Beach, Florida, initiated an investigation into Jeffrey Epstein following a report of him sexually abusing a 14-year-old girl.

2008: Bear Stearns Collapse

In 2008, Bear Stearns collapsed. Jeffrey Epstein remained a client of Bear Stearns until its collapse.

2008: Epstein Convicted in Florida

In 2008, Jeffrey Epstein was convicted in a Florida state court of procuring a child for prostitution and soliciting a prostitute as part of a controversial plea deal.

2014: Old National Bancorp Acquired Towers Financial Corp

In 2014, Old National Bancorp acquired Towers Financial Corp.

2017: Acosta's Statement Reported

In 2017, a former senior White House official reported that Alexander Acosta stated that he was told to leave Jeffrey Epstein alone because Epstein 'belonged to intelligence'.

July 6, 2019: Epstein Arrested Again

On July 6, 2019, Jeffrey Epstein was arrested again on federal charges for sex trafficking of minors in Florida and New York.

August 10, 2019: Jeffrey Epstein Death

Jeffrey Epstein died on August 10, 2019. He was an American financier and child sex offender.

August 29, 2019: Criminal Charges Dismissed

On August 29, 2019, all criminal charges against Jeffrey Epstein were dismissed due to his death, precluding the possibility of pursuing criminal charges against him.

2020: Hoffenberg Allegation

In 2020, Steven Hoffenberg alleged that Jeffrey Epstein was recruited in the 1980s by Douglas Leese to work for British intelligence.

2021: Ghislaine Maxwell Convicted

In 2021, Ghislaine Maxwell was convicted on US federal charges of sex trafficking and conspiracy for helping Jeffrey Epstein procure girls, including a 14-year-old, for child sexual abuse and prostitution.

2024: Ponzi Scheme Loss Value

In 1993, Towers Financial Corporation imploded after it was exposed as one of the biggest Ponzi schemes in American history, losing over US$450 million of its investors' money, equivalent to $1 billion in 2024.

2024: Equivalent of Consulting Pay

Jeffrey Epstein was paid US$25,000 per month for his consulting work which is equivalent to $69,000 in 2024.

July 2025: FBI Releases CCTV Footage

In July 2025, the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) released CCTV footage supporting the conclusion that Jeffrey Epstein died by suicide in his jail cell. However, approximately 2 minutes and 53 seconds of it was missing, and the video was found to have been modified despite the FBI's claim that it was raw.

September 2025: Documents Released by House Democrats

In September 2025, documents released by House Democrats revealed that Jeffrey Epstein maintained connections with Peter Thiel, Elon Musk, Bill Gates, and Steve Bannon.