Jeffrey Epstein, the notorious sex offender who died by suicide in 2019, invested $40 million in two funds managed by Valar Ventures, a New York based firm co-founded by Silicon Valley mogul Peter Thiel. Epstein invested with Valar Ventures during 2015-2016, creating what has become the largest remaining asset in the deceased financier’s estate, reports The New York Times. The investment, now valued at approximately $170 million according to confidential estate documents reviewed by The New York Times, represents a 325% return over nearly a decade.
Republican megadonor Peter Thiel’s firm struck an investment deal with Jeffrey Epstein that has netted the accused sex trafficker’s estate $170 million, making it its largest remaining asset. Jeffrey Epstein's investment has since grown to be worth $170 million, according to a confidential financial analysis of the late Mr. Epstein’s estate reviewed by The New York Times and a statement provided by a Valar spokesman.
The largest remaining asset in Jeffrey Epstein’s estate—six years after his death by suicide in federal custody while awaiting trial on sex-trafficking charges—is his investment in Valar, a firm focused on funding early-stage financial technology companies. This investment in Peter Thiel’s firm had not been publicly disclosed or reported until now.
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Reports of meetings between Jeffrey Epstein and Peter Thiel first surfaced in 2023, though the full nature of their connection remained unclear. According to The Daily Beast, emails revealed that the two had multiple meetings planned in 2014, including a dinner with filmmaker Woody Allen.
Despite being a registered sex offender since 2008, Epstein remained a prominent figure in elite social and financial circles. He reportedly amassed his wealth by charging significant fees for tax and estate planning services to billionaires.
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Though Epstein rarely made direct investments, The Times reported that he chose to back Thiel and his firm, Valar Ventures, which focuses on funding early-stage startups.
Aaron Curtis, a spokesperson for Valar Ventures, confirmed that a representative from the firm met with Jeffrey Epstein in 2014, describing him at the time as a “well-known adviser to world leaders, top universities, and philanthropic organizations.”
Curtis told The New York Times that the firm "hopes the eventual distribution of these investments can be used for good—particularly to help Epstein’s victims rebuild their lives."
Instead, the remaining funds are expected to go to one of Epstein’s former girlfriends and two longtime advisers, all named beneficiaries of his estate, according to The Times.
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The investment with Valar Ventures represents the majority of what remains of Epstein’s estate, which has diminished to approximately $200 million from $600 million at the time of his arrest. The $170 million stake in Valar Ventures remains inaccessible for now, likely due to the typical lock-up periods imposed by venture capital investments to allow companies time to grow.
Epstein’s death has fueled widespread conspiracy theories, particularly among right-wing circles. In a January op-ed for the Financial Times, venture capitalist Peter Thiel—who co-founded Valar Ventures—acknowledged the speculation while referring to Epstein as a “child sex offender.” During an August appearance on The Joe Rogan Experience, Thiel went further, insinuating that Bill and Melinda Gates may have been involved in Epstein’s death.
However, FBI Director Kash Patel, appointed by President Donald Trump earlier this year, reiterated in May that all available evidence supports the conclusion that Epstein died by suicide.
Republican megadonor Peter Thiel’s firm struck an investment deal with Jeffrey Epstein that has netted the accused sex trafficker’s estate $170 million, making it its largest remaining asset. Jeffrey Epstein's investment has since grown to be worth $170 million, according to a confidential financial analysis of the late Mr. Epstein’s estate reviewed by The New York Times and a statement provided by a Valar spokesman.
The largest remaining asset in Jeffrey Epstein’s estate—six years after his death by suicide in federal custody while awaiting trial on sex-trafficking charges—is his investment in Valar, a firm focused on funding early-stage financial technology companies. This investment in Peter Thiel’s firm had not been publicly disclosed or reported until now.
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Jeffrey Epstein's investment remained a secret
The investments made by Jeffrey Epstein made in 2015 and 2016 remained a secret and they shed additional light on the relationship between Thiel and Epstein, who is one of the country’s most notorious figures.Reports of meetings between Jeffrey Epstein and Peter Thiel first surfaced in 2023, though the full nature of their connection remained unclear. According to The Daily Beast, emails revealed that the two had multiple meetings planned in 2014, including a dinner with filmmaker Woody Allen.
Despite being a registered sex offender since 2008, Epstein remained a prominent figure in elite social and financial circles. He reportedly amassed his wealth by charging significant fees for tax and estate planning services to billionaires.
ALSO READ: Hundreds of thousands in US asked to limit outdoor activities in multiple places, emergency declared in 2 states
Though Epstein rarely made direct investments, The Times reported that he chose to back Thiel and his firm, Valar Ventures, which focuses on funding early-stage startups.
Aaron Curtis, a spokesperson for Valar Ventures, confirmed that a representative from the firm met with Jeffrey Epstein in 2014, describing him at the time as a “well-known adviser to world leaders, top universities, and philanthropic organizations.”
Curtis told The New York Times that the firm "hopes the eventual distribution of these investments can be used for good—particularly to help Epstein’s victims rebuild their lives."
Jeffrey Epstein suicide
Epstein died by suicide in a Manhattan jail while awaiting trial on federal sex trafficking charges. Since his death, a significant portion of his fortune has been distributed as restitution to roughly 200 victims, with individual payouts ranging from $500,000 to $2 million. However, The Times reports that victims are unlikely to receive further compensation from the Valar Ventures investment.Instead, the remaining funds are expected to go to one of Epstein’s former girlfriends and two longtime advisers, all named beneficiaries of his estate, according to The Times.
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The investment with Valar Ventures represents the majority of what remains of Epstein’s estate, which has diminished to approximately $200 million from $600 million at the time of his arrest. The $170 million stake in Valar Ventures remains inaccessible for now, likely due to the typical lock-up periods imposed by venture capital investments to allow companies time to grow.
Epstein’s death has fueled widespread conspiracy theories, particularly among right-wing circles. In a January op-ed for the Financial Times, venture capitalist Peter Thiel—who co-founded Valar Ventures—acknowledged the speculation while referring to Epstein as a “child sex offender.” During an August appearance on The Joe Rogan Experience, Thiel went further, insinuating that Bill and Melinda Gates may have been involved in Epstein’s death.
However, FBI Director Kash Patel, appointed by President Donald Trump earlier this year, reiterated in May that all available evidence supports the conclusion that Epstein died by suicide.
