Virginia Giuffre dies at 41 after years of fighting Epstein
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Virginia Giuffre, a key figure in exposing Jeffrey Epstein and Prince Andrew, has died by suicide at 41 in Australia. Her death highlights the lasting toll of sex trafficking.
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Virginia Giuffre speaks during a news conference outside a Manhattan court in New York, Aug. 27, 2019 (AP)
Virginia Giuffre, one of the most prominent victims of US financier Jeffrey Epstein and who publicly accused Prince Andrew of sexual abuse, has died by suicide at the age of 41.
Her family confirmed the news in a statement on Saturday, revealing that she passed away at her farm in Western Australia, where she had lived for several years. The statement expressed deep sorrow, explaining that the trauma of enduring sexual abuse and trafficking had become too much for her to bear.
“In the end, the toll of abuse is so heavy that it became unbearable for Virginia to handle its weight," the statement read.
Virginia Giuffre’s lawyer, Sigrid McCawley, paid tribute to her, describing their close bond. “She was a dear friend and an incredible champion for other victims. Her courage pushed me to fight harder, and her strength was awe-inspiring,” she said.
Josh Schiffer, an attorney representing another of Epstein’s victims, noted Giuffre’s key role in uncovering Epstein’s crimes. He stated that without her initial courage, the case against Epstein might never have advanced. Schiffer added that Giuffre inspired many others to come forward and hoped her death would raise awareness about sex trafficking and the global sex trade.
Earlier this month, Giuffre had posted on social media suggesting she had only days to live, following a collision between a school bus and her car.
In February 2022, the UK Royal Family's Prince Andrew reached a settlement with Giuffre in a case that had drawn global attention. US attorneys at the time called the settlement a victory, claiming Prince Andrew's "arrogance" had delayed its resolution.
Giuffre, who filed the lawsuit in 2021, accused the British royal of sexually abusing her when she was 17, as part of Epstein’s trafficking network. Prince Andrew consistently denied the allegations.
Her connection to Epstein began in 2000, when she met Ghislaine Maxwell at Donald Trump’s Mar-a-Lago resort in Florida, where Giuffre was working. Maxwell recruited her as a massage therapist for Epstein, a role that Giuffre later said led to her being trafficked to Epstein’s associates. She described being "passed around like a platter of fruit."
In 2009, under the pseudonym "Jane Doe 102," she filed a civil lawsuit against Epstein, alleging sexual exploitation by his male associates, including royalty. The case was settled before trial.
