In 2026, following the release of the Epstein files by the United States Department of Justice, media outlets revealed a relationship between a few members of the Rothschild family and the American convicted child [...] offender Jeffrey Epstein. In 2016, Epstein stated that he "represent[s]" a few members of the Rothschild family.
1990s
Jeffrey Epstein said he had given Lynn Forester de Rothschild financial help in the 1990s during her divorce from Andrew Stein, although a spokesperson for Rothschild said this was "one hundred percent false." According to Epstein's lawyer, Alan Dershowitz, he was introduced to Epstein by Rothschild, who referred to him as an "interesting autodidact" who he would enjoy getting to know. According to Ghislaine Maxwell, it was Rothschild who introduced Prince Andrew to Epstein. It was at a house owned by the Rothschilds in Martha's Vineyard where Peter Mandelson was introduced to Epstein.
2010–2019
Annabelle Neilson (formerly Rothschild) was identified as having emailed Epstein numerous times between 2010 and 2012, after his 2008 conviction for soliciting [...] from a minor. In the emails, Neilson agreed to 'put together a group of girls' for Epstein and noted that some were 'unfortunately past their sell-by date'. Another email from a redacted sender to an account named Annabelle Neilson on 26 January 2011 reads "Hey Annabelle, let's you and I try and find something cute for JE tonight."
Emails from Ghislaine Maxwell in August 2010 warned Epstein to "be careful" of Neilson. In one email, Epstein asked "Any thing cute for after", Neilson replies "Cute as in cuddle toy? or cute as in badly behaved English girls." She added "There is a little thing for my very young friend who is lunching her bikini range at Morton's but that might just drive you made!!! I have a friend I might call."
Scheduling documents showed Ariane de Rothschild had more than a dozen meetings with Epstein from 2013 to 2019. She bought nearly $1 million worth of auction items on Epstein's behalf in 2014 and 2015, and in October 2015 negotiated a $25 million contract for Epstein's Southern Trust Co. to provide risk analysis services for the bank. In 2019, following Epstein's arrest, the bank initially stated that de Rothschild had never met Epstein and the bank had no business links with him; the bank later acknowledged to The Wall Street Journal that this statement was not accurate. The bank stated that de Rothschild had no knowledge of any legal proceedings against Epstein and "was similarly unaware of any questions regarding his personal conduct".
The Luxembourg newspaper L'essentiel noted that emails of personal exchanges, notably concerning Luc Frieden. Ariane de Rothschild emailed Epstein: "Dear Jeff, sorry, not often, but was totally depressed. Difficult to see sense [in] all of it, when family life is on fire. But [i'll] get over it. Can we speak 6:00 pm my time? Tomorrow [I] have to go to Luxembourg for board & lunch with ex finance minister- luc Frieden. Any opinion about him? I hope that you are well." Epstein responded with "I fully understand. yes 6 fine,".
Furthermore, in 2016, Epstein attempted to secure admission to Columbia University in New York, which other universities benefited from its scholarship funding totaling approximately $200,000 in donations, for Alice de Rothschild, daughter of Ariane de Rothschild, by enlisting the help of Nobel laureate in Physiology or Medicine, Richard Axel, to exert pressure on an endeavor that ultimately failed..
According to leaked emails and investigative reports released in late 2025, former Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Barak and Ariane de Rothschild were linked through a network of business and political dealings brokered by Epstein.
Terra Nova Expeditions is an expedition cruise company specialising in small-ship voyages to remote regions, particularly Antarctica and the Southern Ocean. The company focuses on operating vessels carrying fewer than 100 passengers and promotes a “small-ship, small-impact” approach to polar tourism, combining exploration, education and scientific engagement. The company is headquartered in the United States and operates internationally.
Terra Nova Expeditions was founded by Australian entrepreneur Greg Carter, who has worked in the expedition travel and Antarctic heritage sectors. The company aims to provide expedition-style voyages with an emphasis on environmental stewardship, scientific collaboration, and immersive travel experiences in remote environments.
MacCarthy Mac-Gbathy is a Ghanaian entrepreneur and the co-founder of HOPin Academy, a Ghanaian ecosystem development organization that provides opportunities for young people and women in Northern Ghana to curb rural-urban migration and reduce unemployment through entrepreneurship and startup development, and human capital development.
Soft Power Media, also known as soft news or soft media. refers to media content that aims to influence an audience through persuasion and influence by focusing on primarily cultural and lifestyle topics such as entertainment, and human interest as opposed to “Hard Media” which conveys political or economic issues.
The concept first emerged from the term “soft power” which was coined in the 1980’s by Joseph Nye, an American political scientist. Later expanding with the rise of television and magazines. It is used to describe the use of media content in influencing audiences through persuasion rather than coercion.
It is utilized by countries to shape the perception of international and domestic audiences, through the depictions of their values, cultures, and reputation, as well as their cultural exports, information dissemination, and entertainment. Whereas, ‘hard power’ relies on military and economic forces.
States aim to build “cultural capital” and foster a favorable international image that can indirectly support their foreign policy goals. With the advent of the digital age, soft power media has evolved into “Soft Power 2.0”, characterized by the use of social media algorithms, digital influencers, and transnational streaming platforms to reach global audiences directly.
“Soft news” refers to a style of journalism centered on human-interest stories, entertainment-centered, celebrity culture narratives, often blurring the lines between information and infotainment. In the context of global geopolitics, soft media serves as a tool for public diplomacy, allowing nations to engage in “nation branding.”