What has become of Karyna Shuliak?

 Karyna Shuliak, a 37-year-old Belarusian-born dentist, has largely retreated from public view in New York City after being revealed as Jeffrey Epstein’s primary companion in his final years and the chief heir to his estate. Following massive waves of unsealed Department of Justice investigative records in 2026, her deep ties to Epstein, her controversial higher education path, and her financial standing have come under intense scrutiny. [1, 2, 3, 4]

Current Status and Career

• Disappeared from Her Practice: Shuliak successfully completed a postdoctoral dental program at Columbia University in May 2025 and received her New York dental license later that year. She began working as a part-time dentist at a clinic in downtown Brooklyn, but records indicate her last day at that practice was February 12, 2026. [1, 2]
• Whereabouts: While her exact physical location is kept private by her legal team, she is believed to still be residing in New York City. [1, 2]
• Legal Standing: Prosecutors and federal investigators have not accused Shuliak of participating in or facilitating Epstein’s criminal sex-trafficking activities, and she does not currently face criminal charges. [1, 2]

The Fight Over Epstein's Estate

• The $100 Million Inheritance: DOJ files revealed that just two days before his death in August 2019, Epstein amended his private trust to name Shuliak as his primary beneficiary. He intended to leave her up to $100 million in assets, including his Paris apartment, his New Mexico ranch, and a 33-carat diamond ring valued at $1.2 million. [1, 2]
• Will She Get the Money? It is highly unlikely she will ever see the bulk of this fortune. Epstein's estate—once valued at over $600 million—has been heavily drawn down to between $120 million and $200 million due to asset freezes, government taxes, legal fees, and more than $121 million paid out to compensate Epstein’s victims. [1, 2]

Recent Revelations & Investigations

• Columbia University Scandal:
  In May 2026, a high-ranking administrator at the Columbia University College of Dental Medicine was forced to exit their post. Investigations revealed the administrator helped facilitate Shuliak’s "irregular" admission to the competitive program. Epstein had reportedly made a $210,000 donation to the university after initially offering $10 million to secure her entry after she was first rejected.
• "Zorro Smiles" and the New Mexico Probe: In June 2026, a New Mexico legislative "truth commission" issued subpoenas regarding Epstein’s Zorro Ranch. State records unsealed during the probe showed that Shuliak was licensed to practice dentistry in New Mexico from 2015 to 2021 and had applied to open a private practice directly on Epstein's ranch under the name "Zorro Smiles". Investigators are still looking into why Epstein built fully equipped, private medical and dental rooms on his properties.
• Immigration Status: DOJ records also exposed that Epstein heavily financed Shuliak's life after she arrived in the U.S. on a student visa in 2011. To prevent her deportation and secure her U.S. citizenship, Epstein allegedly arranged and funded a sham same-sex marriage between Shuliak and one of his female assistants in 2013. [1, 2, 3, 4]

Through her legal counsel, Shuliak has consistently declined to comment on the ongoing public disclosures or her past relationship with Epstein. [1, 2]