The name of Stephen Hawking has surfaced in a newly released tranche of investigative material tied to disgraced financier Jeffrey Epstein, reigniting global attention on the latter’s extensive connections with prominent academics and institutions. The documents, made public by the United States Department of Justice, include a photograph of Hawking alongside two women identified by his family as long-term caregivers.
According to statements from relatives, the image was taken during a 2006 scientific symposium held at the Ritz-Carlton Hotel, St Thomas, where Hawking delivered a lecture on quantum cosmology. The gathering formed part of an event titled “Energy of Empty Space That Isn’t Zero,” which brought 21 scientists to the U.S. Virgin Islands for discussions and social activities funded by Epstein. Participants also visited Little Saint James, Epstein’s private island, where he reportedly hosted attendees.
Hawking, who died in 2018 aged 76 after living for decades with motor neurone disease, appears hundreds of times in the more than 3.5 million pages released, though officials note that inclusion in the records does not in itself imply wrongdoing. Investigators say there are no photographs placing Hawking together with Epstein directly, despite references to shared events.
Some of the documents revisit previously reported and unsubstantiated allegations involving Virginia Giuffre, who accused Epstein and associates of trafficking and abuse. An email attributed to Epstein discussed efforts to challenge her claims, including assertions involving Hawking that were never proven. Giuffre, who died in 2025, had also accused Prince Andrew of sexual abuse, a claim he has consistently denied and which was settled in a civil agreement without admission of liability.
Additional material shows that the Federal Bureau of Investigation received a tip alleging Epstein and Hawking attended a venue together in 2011, though investigators categorized the information as unverified.
The disclosures add to a broader portrait of Epstein’s long-running attempts to embed himself within influential intellectual networks. He presented himself as a science philanthropist and cultivated relationships with leading thinkers while donating millions to academic institutions. A review by Harvard University found that the financier had given approximately $9.1 million to the university between 1998 and 2008, all before his criminal conviction.
