Since the death of American financier Jeffrey Epstein in a federal jail cell in August 2019, his inner circle has been under intense scrutiny. Among the most enigmatic figures is Karyna Shuliak, a dentist originally from Belarus, who went from being virtually unknown to an unexpected protagonist in one of the world’s most closely followed scandals.
According to court documents and recent news reports, Shuliak was Epstein’s last known partner and maintained a close relationship with him for nearly a decade. In the final days of her life, she was notably included in his estate plans.
From Minsk to Manhattan
Born on March 15, 1989, in Minsk, Belarus, Karyna Shuliak moved to the United States in 2009 to study dentistry. She enrolled in higher education programs, including at the prestigious Columbia University, where she completed her dental studies and obtained her license to practice.
Her name did not appear in the media until after Epstein’s death, but documents and journalistic records confirm that she became his steady partner around 2010, shortly after Epstein’s release from prison following a conviction related to child prostitution.
For several years, Shuliak balanced her professional life with her relationship with Epstein, which led to her being linked to various properties associated with his extensive network, including a dental office in St. Thomas, the Virgin Islands, connected to companies controlled by Epstein, and sporadic appearances at private events.
The Connection to Epstein
One of the most significant facts is that Karyna Shuliak was the last person Epstein spoke to on the phone before his death. Documents from the investigation identify her as “Person 1” in official records from the jail where Epstein was held when he collapsed in August 2019.
Amid the speculation surrounding Epstein’s mysterious death, this phone call has become a topic of interest. However, authorities have not confirmed any evidence of foul play in his suicide.
The Million-Dollar Inheritance
The most sensational aspect of this story is the revelation that Epstein named Shuliak as one of the main beneficiaries of his vast fortune shortly before his death. In a will signed on August 8, 2019—just 48 hours before his death—Epstein outlined a distribution plan that placed Shuliak at the center of his estate.
According to those documents, Shuliak was designated to receive approximately $100 million, divided into cash and future annual payments, as well as multiple properties, including:
- A residence in Manhattan
- A mansion in Palm Beach
- His ranch in Zorro Ranch, New Mexico
- An apartment in Paris
- The private islands of Little Saint James and Great Saint James
- A diamond ring of nearly 33 carats, given “in contemplation of marriage.”
This potential inheritance was, in principle, significantly larger than what any other individual beneficiary would receive, including Epstein’s close associates and collaborators.
After Epstein’s death, his estate was not immediately distributed. His will was placed in a trust known as “Trust 1953,” which has been under court administration and used to pay compensation to victims of Epstein’s crimes, as well as legal and tax expenses, thereby reducing the total available value for potential heirs.
Although Shuliak was named the primary beneficiary in the original documents, most of those assets have been sold or allocated to compensate victims, leaving the final portion she may receive—or if she will receive any of those assets—subject to ongoing legal proceedings.
While Shuliak has a professional background as a licensed dentist in the United States, her public presence has been minimal outside her relationship with Epstein. Her dental license in Florida is currently listed as inactive, and there are no public records indicating that she has practiced prominently since Epstein’s death.
Furthermore, although she married Jennifer Ann Kalin in 2013—a person linked to Epstein’s circle—that union was officially dissolved shortly after Epstein’s arrest in 2019 and has been characterized by various media outlets as a marriage of convenience for immigration purposes in the US
What’s Next?
To this day, Karyna Shuliak maintains an extremely low profile, with no significant public statements. The revelation of her role in Epstein’s estate distribution plans has reignited journalistic interest in her personal history and legal relationships.
As official documents continue to be reviewed and various assets negotiated in court, Shuliak embodies part of the mystery surrounding one of the most controversial figures in recent decades: Was she simply the partner of an infamous man, or a central piece in his hidden legacy?
