Latest news with #Giuffre
News18
13-07-2025
- News18
The Woman Who Took On Jeffrey Epstein: Why Virginia Giuffre's Story Refuses To Fade
Last Updated: She stood up to Epstein, took legal aim at Prince Andrew, and died by suicide in 2025. Virginia Giuffre's name remains inseparable from a scandal that shook the global elite Her name shook palaces, courtrooms, and political circles, and even in death, Virginia Giuffre refuses to fade from global headlines. Once a teenage victim in one of the most far-reaching sex trafficking scandals of the 21 st century, she helped expose how power protected predators. From elite universities to Buckingham Palace, Giuffre's allegations ripped through institutions once thought untouchable. And now, with the Trump administration declaring that convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein did not maintain a so-called 'client list,' her story has returned to the spotlight. Virginia Giuffre's story isn't just one of survival; it significantly shaped the public's understanding of sex trafficking involving the global elite. From the moment she stepped forward with allegations against Jeffrey Epstein and Prince Andrew to the renewed debate following her tragic death in 2025, Giuffre's name has remained linked to a case that continues to provoke international attention. Who Was Virginia Giuffre? Virginia Louise Roberts was born in 1983 in Sacramento, California, and raised in Florida. She experienced a difficult childhood marked by instability, including time in foster care and episodes of homelessness. At 16, she began working as a locker room attendant at Donald Trump's Mar-a-Lago resort in Palm Beach, Florida. According to her own accounts and legal filings, it was there that she encountered Ghislaine Maxwell, who later introduced her to Jeffrey Epstein. Maxwell, later convicted of trafficking offences, allegedly recruited Giuffre under the pretence of providing job opportunities and financial support. 'My whole life revolved around just pleasing these men and keeping Ghislaine and Jeffrey happy. Their whole entire lives revolved around sex." — Virginia Giuffre, from her 2016 deposition, as cited by The Washington Post. She alleged that she was trafficked across state and international lines to provide sexual services to men in Epstein's circle. Among the individuals she named was Prince Andrew, Duke of York. Giuffre claimed she was trafficked to him as a minor, including an alleged incident in London when she was 17. A photograph of Giuffre, Prince Andrew, and Ghislaine Maxwell taken during that period received global media attention. Prince Andrew has denied the allegations. Giuffre also accused attorney Alan Dershowitz, though both parties later dropped legal action, with Giuffre stating she may have been mistaken in her identification. From Lawsuits To Public Testimony In a 2019 interview with NBC's Dateline, Giuffre had said, 'I was trafficked to politicians and academics and royalty." Giuffre was one of the first victims to bring legal action against Epstein, filing a civil suit in 2009 under the alias Jane Doe 102. She went public with her identity by 2015 and began speaking out about the broader implications of Epstein's trafficking operations. A 2019 interview with the BBC's 'Panorama" marked a turning point in public perception. In the interview, Giuffre detailed the alleged abuse she endured and the network of powerful figures she claimed were complicit. The interview sparked public and legal scrutiny that contributed to further lawsuits and the unsealing of previously confidential documents. In 2021, she filed a civil lawsuit against Prince Andrew in the United States. The case was settled out of court in 2022. Although the Duke of York did not admit to any wrongdoing, the royal family faced intense criticism, and Andrew was stripped of official duties. 'I want justice. I want accountability. And I want people to know the truth about what happened to me and so many others," she had said in her 2019 BBC Panorama interview. Advocacy And Public Outreach Beyond the courtroom, Giuffre worked as an advocate for other survivors. She founded the nonprofit organisation SOAR (Speak Out, Act, Reclaim), which focuses on helping victims of human trafficking. She also appeared in documentaries, including Netflix's 'Jeffrey Epstein: Filthy Rich," where she recounted her experiences. Her testimony was considered important during the investigation and conviction of Ghislaine Maxwell, who was found guilty in 2021 on five of six federal counts, including sex trafficking of minors and conspiracy. Maxwell was sentenced in June 2022 to 20 years in prison. Death In 2025 Jeffrey Epstein died in August 2019 while in federal custody. His death was ruled a suicide by official investigations, though it has remained a source of public skepticism. On April 25, 2025, Giuffre died by suicide at her residence in Neergabby, Western Australia, at the age of 41. She had reportedly been hospitalised weeks earlier following a car accident and was suffering from kidney failure. Authorities ruled out foul play, and her family noted that her physical and emotional health had sharply declined in the months leading up to her death. Her passing prompted tributes from survivors' advocacy groups, legal experts, and journalists who had followed her case. Her role in bringing global attention to sex trafficking networks was widely acknowledged. The 'Client List' Debate The so-called 'Epstein client list" is often cited in media and online discussions. In reality, the term refers broadly to Epstein's seized phone books, flight logs, and contact lists—many of which contain names of acquaintances, business associates, and public figures. However, no definitive government-verified list of individuals implicated in criminal activity has ever been released. Renewed Scrutiny Over Epstein Investigation On July 8, 2025, the US Department of Justice (DoJ) and FBI concluded that Epstein did not have a so-called client list that could implicate high-profile associates, and that he did take his own life, contradicting long-held conspiracy theories about the infamous case. While campaigning last year, President Donald Trump promised to release files relating to the disgraced financier. According to a two-page DoJ and FBI memo, investigators found no 'incriminating list" of clients and 'no credible evidence" that Epstein blackmailed prominent individuals. Democrats Demand Trump-Related Epstein Files On July 8, 2025, House Democrats escalated pressure on the Justice Department by demanding the release of all documents from the Jeffrey Epstein investigation that mention or reference President Donald Trump. In a formal letter addressed to Attorney General Pam Bondi, Congressman Jamie Raskin and 15 other members of the House Judiciary Committee accused the DoJ of 'concealing evidence of potential criminal wrongdoing by President Trump." The letter cited mounting public concern and pointed to a now-deleted post by Elon Musk, which had claimed that Trump was named in the sealed Epstein files. The lawmakers argued that full transparency was essential to restore public trust in the justice system. The Continuing Questions top videos View all With Jeffrey Epstein dead, Ghislaine Maxwell incarcerated, and Virginia Giuffre no longer alive, the full truth about the network they were part of may never emerge. Giuffre's testimony and legal action remain central to ongoing demands for transparency. Lawmakers, advocacy groups, and segments of the public continue to call for the release of all relevant records, especially those involving high-profile individuals. As new questions surface, particularly around political connections, the pressure on institutions to disclose more information is unlikely to subside. About the Author Karishma Jain Karishma Jain, Chief Sub Editor at writes and edits opinion pieces on a variety of subjects, including Indian politics and policy, culture and the arts, technology and social change. Follow her @ More Get Latest Updates on Movies, Breaking News On India, World, Live Cricket Scores, And Stock Market Updates. Also Download the News18 App to stay updated! tags : donald trump Jeffrey Epstein Prince Andrew view comments Location : New Delhi, India, India First Published: July 10, 2025, 14:26 IST News explainers The Woman Who Took On Jeffrey Epstein: Why Virginia Giuffre's Story Refuses To Fade Disclaimer: Comments reflect users' views, not News18's. Please keep discussions respectful and constructive. Abusive, defamatory, or illegal comments will be removed. News18 may disable any comment at its discretion. By posting, you agree to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy.
Daily Mirror
09-07-2025
- Entertainment
- Daily Mirror
Judge rules case threatening Virginia Giuffre's Prince Andrew payout to proceed
A judge has ordered that the £7.5million suit against Prince Andrew's sex abuse accuser be passed on to her estate following her suicide . It could mean the mother-of-three's children could stand to lose out on their inheritance A judge has ruled that the case jeopardising Virginia Giuffre's multi-million-pound Prince Andrew payout is to go ahead despite her suicide. In April, the Mirror revealed how just days before her death, the Duke of York's alleged sexual abuse victim was "extremely distressed" after learning she could face losing her millions handed to her in an out-of-court settlement with the royal. The threat came as she was sued for defamation. Ms Giuffre, who died on April 25 in Western Australia, was being taken to court by artist Rina Oh for falsely labelling her as Epstein's girlfriend and one of his recruiters. Now, a judge has ordered that the £7.5 million suit is to be passed on to Ms Giuffre's estate. It could mean the mother-of-three's children could stand to lose out on their inheritance. The bitter legal war between the two women had rumbled on since 2021, with the Mirror told that Giuffre had become 'anxious' in the weeks leading up to her suicide, knowing her legal problems were not going away. In legal papers, Oh claims Giuffre 'maliciously' defamed her by repeatedly branding her Epstein's 'girlfriend' and alleging she helped lure young girls into the paedophile financier's network. Giuffre, a central figure in exposing Prince Andrew's paedophile pal's crimes, claimed on social media posts, podcast interviews, and even her memoir Billionaire's Playboy Club that Oh had physically and sexually abused her - accusations the artist vehemently denies. One tweet from 2020 read: 'Rina – if you read this, I hope you live in shame for the rest of your life... the physical & mental scars you left me with should be enough to put your a** in jail.' In another, Giuffre claimed: 'I have a six-inch scar on my left leg from her cutting me.' Oh, who has maintained she was a victim herself and was never a recruiter for Epstein, insists the comments have wrecked her life and reputation, leaving her with 'humiliation, shame, mental anguish and anxiety'. 'The damage caused has been immense,' her legal team said in court filings. 'She [Giuffre] weaponised her platform to discredit and defame another survivor for personal gain.' Oh's suit was initially seen as a potential bombshell for Prince Andrew's defence after Giuffre sued him in a civil court in 2021, alleging he sexually abused her when she was 17 - a claim he strenuously denied. The royal's legal team seized on the lawsuit with the Duke of York's lawyer, Andrew Brettler, telling a judge it could yield key witnesses and cast doubt on Giuffre's credibility. However, the case never went to trial as the royal paid her a reported £12 million in an out-of-court settlement to avoid the lawsuit going to a civil trial. But Oh's case against Giuffre did not die with her. Under New York law, a defendant's death does not halt civil litigation, instead, it can transfer liability to their estate. Oh has alleged Giuffre sexually assaulted her in 2001 while Epstein looked on. In an interview with the New York Post, she said: "I went into the massage room and [Giuffre] touched me without my consent; she sexually abused me." She added: "I was standing there, frozen like a deer. I did not move. I was in shock. I felt mortified and was uncomfortable." Legal documents, lodged in New York as part of the case, allege that on another occasion Giuffre "and other females sexually assaulted [Oh] while Epstein watched'. Giuffre had filed a countersuit, arguing her comments were protected free speech under the First Amendment and insisting they were part of broader conversations about Epstein and his network of abusers. Yet her attempts to get the case dismissed were repeatedly rejected. Just three weeks before her death, the New York State Appellate Court upheld Oh's right to pursue one of her two defamation suits. A source close to Giuffre told the Mirror: 'She was deeply distressed about it. It cast a shadow over everything, even while she was trying to focus on her life and family.' Giuffre rose to global prominence after going public with her abuse allegations against Epstein, Ghislaine Maxwell and Prince Andrew. Her testimony was central to the wave of investigations that eventually brought down Epstein's powerful network. She also received compensation from Epstein's victims' fund and a defamation payout from Maxwell. This week, it was announced that the FBI were ending its investigation into Epstein and that no further charges would be brought.
Daily Mirror
02-07-2025
- Daily Mirror
Prince Andrew accuser was 'proud' of the role she played in his downfall
Virginia Giuffre, who helped bring notorious American billionaire paedophile Jeffrey Epstein to justice, told relatives before her death that she was "never afraid" of powerful people Prince Andrew accuser Virginia Giuffre was 'incredibly proud of herself' for 'toppling' the senior Royal, her family said. The mum-of-three, who died in April aged 41, led the fight to bring American billionaire paedophile Jeffrey Epstein to justice. Giuffre also claimed she was trafficked to have sex with Prince Andrew when she was just 17. He has always denied the allegations but paid her millions to settle a lawsuit over her claims against him. The settlement did not involve any admission of liability on his behalf, and Andrew denies any sexual contact with her. But the scandal led to him stepping back from royal life after a disastrous BBC interview with Emily Maitlis. Giuffre's sister-in-law Amanda Roberts said she was proud of the role she played in his downfall. 'When people told her 'no', or people told her they wouldn't believe her, or that she was crazy, she would say 'Watch me',' she said. Her younger brother Sky told The Times: 'She was never afraid of any of those people.' Giuffre became famous as a victim of Epstein and his lover Ghislaine Maxwell, who she accused of trafficking her to Andrew . Maxwell is serving a 20-year prison sentence in Florida for helping Epstein sexually abuse underage girls. Billionaire Epstein died in a New York prison in 2019 before he could face trial. Giuffre committed suicide at her farm in western Australia in April It was reported yesterday that she wrote in her diary how she was beaten by her husband and kept 'prisoner' in her own home. Excerpts from the diary and details of a suicide note she left for her teenage children were published by The Times. Her diary, which she kept from the beginning of 2025, detailed her memories of her marriage breaking down. It also includes photos, texts and legal filings alleging Robert Giuffre had been violent and abusive. The pair separated earlier this year, as Virginia faced legal action for allegedly violating a restraining order by texting her estranged husband who had claimed she was violent. He accused her of headbutting, spitting at and punching him. Police reportedly investigated both incidents, but no charges were brought. She was estranged from her children, aged 19, 16, and 15, but towards the end of her life she tried to make contact with them. In a final message to them written before her death, she wrote: 'Every day that I don't see your faces has a little less light. The world is dimmer without you in it. I'm here for you here and everywhere.' Other excerpts from her diary included a text to a pal, in which she claimed Robert beat her while she was holding their baby. She texted: 'Even when I had Emily in my arms as a baby, Rob was coming down off a 3-day bender. He punched me in the face which dropped me to the floor and continuously kicking me in the stomach.' Two years after the message, martial arts instructor Robert was arrested in Colorado in 2015 for alleged 'domestic violence'. He later pleaded guilty to domestic violence and was placed on probation, according to a court filing. The couple kept the incident private. Giuffre believed the ramifications of her speaking out against Epstein, Maxwell and Andrew caused her marriage to break down. She wrote in her diary: "The stronger I became, the scarier he became. Instead of praising his wife's accomplishments he began to be jealous, trying to make me stop advocating for victims of trafficking" Elsewhere in her diary, she claimed in 2017 her husband had been 'emotionally and physically controlling'. She said he banned her going downstairs whenever a man was visiting the house, which she said made her into a 'prisoner'. Her diary claimed Robert beat her as recently as January after she denied his request for sex. Amanda said: 'Her death was a terrible ending to this story, but there is a big part of it she never got to tell. '[Virginia] may have fought battles with some of the most powerful men in the world, like Epstein and Prince Andrew, but what people didn't understand was that [in her final days] the hardest battle of her life was at home.'
New York Post
01-07-2025
- New York Post
Epstein accuser Virginia Giuffre's diary and photos reveal severe beating at hands of husband weeks before suicide: report
Diary entries revealed Epstein accuser Virginia Giuffre claimed to have been brutally abused by her hard-drinking estranged husband just weeks before her suicide, according to a new report. Giuffre, who died by suicide in April, claimed to have been viciously beaten by her Robert on Jan. 9 as the couple of 22 years came together to celebrate the fifteenth birthday of their daughter Emily, her family told The Times of London. Robert, 41, allegedly asked Virginia for sex and became aggressive and violent when the sex-trafficking survivor turned him down. 4 Virginia and Robert Giuffre, both 41, were separated, though still legally married, at the time of her suicide in March. Instagram / Virginia Giuffre 'Mommy, pls call me when you're awake. Rob did it again, I'm in the hospital and I need your voice to help me calm down,' Giuffre texted her mother on Jan. 10, the report revealed. Photos sent by Giuffre from her room at Royal Perth Hospital, and shared with the outlet by Giuffre's younger brother Sky Roberts, showed horrible bruising and cuts to the 41-year-old's face. While Virginia was recovering in RPH, Robert filed a restraining order against his wife charging that she had physically assaulted him and that she was mentally unstable, the report stated. Diary entries written by Virginia in January gave insight into her relationship with Robert which she said deteriorated as she became world-famous for taking down the royal family's Prince Andrew. '[He was] showing unease in my finding independence,' Giuffre wrote in a journal entry shared with The Times of London. 4 Giuffre caused concern with an Instagram photo of herself bruised up from a supposed car accident back in April, just weeks before her suicide. Virginia Giuffre/Instagram 'Instead of praising his wifes accomplishments he began to be jealous. Trying to make me stop advocating for victims of trafficking,' she wrote three months before her death. 'Throughout this period, my commitment to Rob had never waivered [sic] as he constantly accused me of being unfaithful, almost on a daily basis. 'Robert's behavior became more controlling. The stronger I became, the scarier he became,' Giuffre wrote in the diary. In the recent journal entries, Giuffre recounted that at the start of their marriage things seemed fine on the surface, but Robert soon became controlling, started drinking at 8 a.m. every morning, and was 'consumed by jealousy.' Elsewhere in the diary, Giuffre claimed Robert was 'gambling away' the millions of dollars she had won in settlements from civil lawsuits against Ghislaine Maxwell, the Jeffrey Epstein estate, Prince Andrew and the bank JP Morgan. Virginia and Robert remained married but were separated in 2024, with the California-native moving to Neergabby in her hubby's homeland Australia. Robert remained in their family home 30 miles away in Ocean Reef, Australia. 4 Giuffre was a vocal advocate for sex-trafficking victims. TNS 'She had become a spokesperson against sex trafficking and she was able to build that fight for all the other victims, but she wasn't able to do that battle and the one at home at the same time,' Amanda Roberts, the wife of Giuffre's brother Sky, told the outlet. The family believed that Giuffre's shocking March 30 Instagram post, in which she claimed to have just days to live after being in a car accident, was a 'desperate plea for help' and a 'way to reach her children.' 'I reviewed the damage to [Virginia's] car just because I'm an insurance adjuster myself and I was curious. It was very much damaged,' Sky claimed, contrary to statements from the driver of the other vehicle, a school bus, who described the accident as minor. 4 Prince Andrew denied claims that he had sex with then-trafficked Giuffre on several occasions, but settled with the accuser out of court in 2022. AP 'There are a very small number of people that know the overall scope of what happened,' Sky told The Times of London. 'You have people coming out, including my own dad, saying somebody did this to her. It's insulting to me.' Sky found his older sister unresponsive in her home on April 25 — breaking down her door and attempting to resuscitate her for 45 minutes prior to the arrival of EMS, the report stated. In the journal, the family found a final heartbreaking message to her children Christian, Noah and Emily. 'Everyday that I don't see your faces has a little less light. The world is dimmer w/o you in it,' Giuffre wrote. 'It'll all be alright, you'll always have a rainbow over your head. Angels by your side and God in your heart,' she wrote. 'I'm here for you here and everywhere.' Virginia's body was turned over to her husband, who had a small cremation ceremony that her family was not invited to, according to the report.
Yahoo
26-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Virginia Giuffre, Jeffrey Epstein Accuser, Laid to Rest After Death
Originally appeared on E! Online Content warning: This story discusses suicide and sexual abuse. One of Jeffrey Epstein's late alleged sex trafficking victims has been laid to rest. Virginia Giuffre was recently honored at a private funeral, People reported May 25, one month after the 41-year-old died by suicide. She was cremated at a cemetery in Padbury, a suburb of the Australian city of Perth, according to the Government of Western Australia's Metropolitan Cemeteries Board records, obtained by E! News. Giuffre, who is originally from California, had been living in the area in recent years prior to her death, which her family announced April 25. "It is with utterly broken hearts that we announce that Virginia passed away last night at her farm in Western Australia," her family said in a statement to NBC News. "She lost her life to suicide, after being a lifelong victim of sexual abuse and sex trafficking." "Virginia was a fierce warrior in the fight against sexual abuse and sex trafficking. She was the light that lifted so many survivors," the statement continued. "In the end, the toll of abuse is so heavy that it became unbearable for Virginia to handle its weight." Giuffre—who is survived by children Christian, Noah and Emily—was one of dozens of women who accused Epstein of sexual abuse. The financier was indicted on federal sex trafficking charges in July 2019 and died in jail the following month from what officials said was suicide. More from E! Online Rosie O'Donnell Reveals Weight Loss Transformation After Using Mounjaro Demi Lovato Marries Jordan "Jutes" Lutes in California Ceremony: All the Details Bindi Irwin Shares Update on Healing Journey 2 Weeks After Emergency Surgery Giuffre—who is survived by children Christian, Noah and Emily—was one of dozens of women who accused Epstein of sexual abuse. The financier died by suicide in 2019 in a New York jail while he was awaiting trial on federal sex trafficking charges. Giuffre had also accused Epstein—who became a registered sex offender after pleading guilty in 2008 to solicitation of prostitution from a minor—of trafficking her to Prince Andrew when she was a teenager. In 2022, Giuffre settled a sexual assault lawsuit she had filed against King Charles III's brother, who had denied the allegations she made against him. Meanwhile, her family is determined to carry on her legacy of helping abuse survivors seek justice. "We know Virginia was not just a bright light to us but to many," her sister-in-law Amanda Roberts wrote on Facebook May 2. "The lives she touched, the strength, and the fight she has given us will live with us always. Though our family and many are experiencing an immeasurable sense of grief, we know that this will make us stronger—that is what Virginia would have wanted." For free, confidential help, call the National Sexual Assault Hotline at 1-800-656-4673 or visit
