Key Highlights
- Primary Beneficiary: Belarusian dentist Karyna Shuliak was named the lead heir in a trust signed just 48 hours before Epstein’s death.
- The “Engagement” Ring: The will included a 33,carat diamond ring, which Epstein’s notes indicated was intended for Shuliak in contemplation of marriage.
- Massive Asset List: The inheritance originally included the private island “Little St. James,” a Manhattan townhouse, and the Zorro Ranch in New Mexico.
- Wealth Depletion: After $121 million was paid to survivors and millions more were lost to legal fees and taxes, the estate value plummeted from $600 million to approximately $127 million.
- Last Contact: Records confirm Shuliak was the final person to speak with Epstein via a 15,minute phone call on the night of his suicide.
Recent disclosures by the U.S. Department of Justice in early 2026 have shed new light on the “1953 Trust,” a legal instrument Jeffrey Epstein created on August 8, 2019, just two days before he was found dead in his jail cell. The 32-page document functioned as his testament, revealing a desperate attempt to shield his $577 million fortune and distribute it among 43 beneficiaries.
At the center of this secret financial plan was Karyna Shuliak, a 36, year,old dentist from Belarus. Shuliak, who moved to the U.S. in 2010, had been Epstein’s close companion for nearly a decade. The documents show that Epstein not only funded her education at Columbia University but also coached her on immigration status, eventually helping her secure U.S. citizenship in 2018.
Millions in Cash and Diamonds
The specifics of the intended gift to Shuliak were staggering. Epstein allocated a $50 million lump sum and an additional $50 million annuity for her benefit. Perhaps the most personal item mentioned was a 33,carat diamond ring, described in the files as being set in platinum and flanked by baguette-cut diamonds.
A handwritten note in the margins of the will explicitly stated the ring was an engagement band, intended for Shuliak “in contemplation of marriage.” This detail, combined with their 15,minute final phone call on August 10, 2019, suggests Shuliak was Epstein’s most trusted confidante during his final hours.
The Collapse of the Epstein Estate
Despite the elaborate planning, Shuliak’s promised inheritance effectively vanished through the legal process. Following Epstein’s death, his assets were moved into a court,monitored estate where victims’ claims took legal priority over named heirs. By 2026, the estate’s valuation has been drastically reduced to roughly $127 million, a fraction of its former $600 million peak.
The Epstein Victims’ Compensation Program (VCP) successfully distributed over $121 million to more than 135 survivors of his abuse. Additional millions were paid to the U.S. Virgin Islands to settle civil racketeering charges. Consequently, the luxury real estate properties, including his Paris apartment and the infamous “Little St. James” island, were sold off to fund these restitutions rather than being handed over to Shuliak.
Where is Karyna Shuliak Now?
While her name has resurfaced in the 2026 document dump, Shuliak has remained largely out of the public eye. Reports indicate she currently resides in a Manhattan apartment owned by Jeffrey’s brother, Mark Epstein. Although she was the primary intended beneficiary of a criminal empire’s final assets, the legal prioritization of survivors has ensured that the “Four Stars of Destiny” Epstein envisioned for his heir were instead redirected toward the women he harmed.
