Jeffrey Epstein amassed his wealth primarily through high fees earned as a money manager and financial advisor for ultra-wealthy clients, notably billionaires Les Wexner and Leon Black, totaling around $490 million between 1999 and 2018. He also generated income from investment returns reported by his companies and leveraged tax advantages via entities in the U.S. Virgin Islands, saving an estimated $300 million in taxes over that period. Additional earnings came from facilitating deals, such as a $15 million fee for brokering a hedge fund stake sale to JPMorgan Chase.

Key Clients and Fees

• Les Wexner, founder of Victoria's Secret, contributed about $200 million in fees to Epstein.

• Leon Black, co-founder of Apollo Global Management, paid around $170 million.

• Elizabeth "Libet" Johnson, a Johnson & Johnson heiress, was another significant client.

Assets at Death

Epstein's estate was valued at approximately $600 million upon his 2019 death, including luxury properties like a $50+ million Manhattan townhouse, a Palm Beach mansion, a New Mexico ranch, Paris apartment, and Caribbean islands. Notable investments included a $40 million stake in Peter Thiel's Valar Ventures, which grew substantially. Despite payouts for settlements and legal fees, remaining assets exceeded $131 million as of early 2025.