Sunday 01 February 2026 11:02 EST Bookmark Richard Branson Richard Branson, the billionaire founder of Virgin Group Limited, invited Epstein to his private island in 2013, telling him in an email: “Any time you’re in the area would love to see you. As long as you bring your harem!” Besides discussing Epstein visiting Branson’s Necker Island, in the British Virgin Islands, the two exchanged messages about philanthropy, Epstein’s ideas for a “disruptive” financial system and a “social good currency." In one email, in 2011, Epstein said he offered Branson’s staff the use of his helicopter to transport an accident victim in the Virgin Islands. In an 11 September 2013 correspondence, Branson suggested Epstein could boost his public image if he could get Bill Gates to say “you’ve been a brilliant adviser to him, that you slipped up many years ago by sleeping with a 17 1/2 year old woman and were punished for it, that you’ve more than learnt your lesson and have done nothing that’s against the law since.” A Branson spokesperson told The Independent that Branson’s “harem” comment referred to adult members of Epstein’s staff. Branson later decided to sever ties with Epstein, the spokesperson said, after learning more about the “serious allegations” that had been made against him. “Had they had the full picture and information, there would have been no contact whatsoever,” the spokesperson said. More about