A photo from Jeffrey Epstein’s court documents shows physicist Stephen Hawking seated beside two women in bikinis on the financier’s private island, igniting public controversy.
Details of the Controversial Image
Captured in March 2006 on Little St. James in the U.S. Virgin Islands, the picture depicts Hawking on a sunbed next to a woman lying with her bikini top and bottoms pulled up to her chest. Hawking appears to reach toward her, while another woman nearby sports a bandage. The image surfaced amid Epstein-related files released publicly.
Family representatives clarify that the women served as Hawking’s long-term caregivers, dismissing claims of deeper involvement. They emphasize Hawking’s condition made such assistance essential.
Context from a Scientific Conference
The photo coincides with a symposium hosted roughly five months before Epstein’s arrest. Hawking delivered a lecture on quantum cosmology, viewed by observers as an invitation from Epstein to the event.
Philip Peebles, 2019 Nobel Prize winner in physics and fellow attendee, describes the gathering as science-focused. “We were there for scientific discussions, but coffee breaks brought more women around in a lively atmosphere,” Peebles stated. “Good participants stayed silent and composed, even the leader said nothing.”
Peebles later pursued Epstein’s sex crime details aggressively. “Back then, we subjectively overlooked the events, but afterward, we confronted them head-on,” he added. “Epstein’s chef noted those women later received top ‘collection’ praise from island visitors.”
Broader Mentions and Denials
Hawking’s name appears approximately 250 times across the documents. Additional images show him in suspicious scenarios, including a 2006 Epstein event with unidentified figures and cruise activities.
A 2015 email in the files discusses Epstein’s ties, raising questions about Hawking’s participation in exchanges with underage individuals, though investigators firmly deny any personal connection between Hawking and Epstein.
Representatives highlight Hawking’s ALS diagnosis over 50 years prior, his return to work despite challenges, and relentless dedication. “Hawking embodied public service, resilience, and 24/7 commitment,” one stated. “No evidence supports claims of misconduct, leaving no basis for judgment.”
