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Ghislaine Maxwell

Ghislaine Maxwell is a British-born former socialite and associate of financier Jeffrey Epstein.

By Ethan Anderson| Reviewed by Olivia Bennett, Standards & Fact-Checking Lead| Updated July 26, 2026|2 min read| Fact-checked

Ghislaine Maxwell is a British-born former socialite and associate of financier Jeffrey Epstein. She was convicted in U.S. federal court in 2021 on sex-trafficking-related charges involving underage girls and sentenced to 20 years in prison in 2022.

Early life and background

Ghislaine Maxwell was born in France in 1961 and later became known as a British socialite. She is the daughter of media mogul Robert Maxwell.

Jeffrey Epstein case

Maxwell was accused of helping recruit and groom underage girls for Epstein over a period of years. U.S. prosecutors charged her with offences including sex trafficking and conspiracy.

Trial and conviction

Her federal trial in New York ended in December 2021 with convictions on five counts. The jury found her guilty of sex-trafficking-related offences and conspiracy charges.

Sentence and appeals

In June 2022, Maxwell received a 20-year sentence in federal prison. A federal appeals court later upheld the conviction in 2024.

Key facts

  • Maxwell was arrested in July 2020 in the United States on federal charges connected to Jeffrey Epstein's sex-trafficking scheme.
  • A jury convicted her in December 2021 on five of six counts.
  • The convictions included sex trafficking of a minor and conspiracy offences.
  • She was sentenced to 20 years in federal prison in June 2022.
  • In 2024, a U.S. appeals court upheld her conviction.
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Canadian context

Canadian readers may know Maxwell through extensive international coverage of the Jeffrey Epstein case and its legal fallout in North America and the United Kingdom.

Frequently asked questions

Who is Ghislaine Maxwell?
She is a British-born former socialite who was convicted in the United States for sex-trafficking-related offences connected to Jeffrey Epstein.
What was Ghislaine Maxwell convicted of?
She was convicted of five federal counts, including sex trafficking of a minor and several conspiracy offences.
What sentence did Ghislaine Maxwell receive?
She was sentenced to 20 years in federal prison in June 2022.
When was Ghislaine Maxwell arrested?
She was arrested in July 2020 in the United States.
Was her conviction upheld?
Yes. A U.S. appeals court upheld her conviction in 2024.

References

  1. U.S. Department of Justice, Southern District of New Yorkhttps://www.justice.gov/usao-sdny/pr/ghislaine-maxwell-sentenced-20-years-prison-conspiring-jeffrey-epstein-sexually-abuse
    Supports: Sentencing date, sentence length, and list of federal convictions.
  2. Cornell Law Schoolhttps://www.law.cornell.edu/gender-justice/resource/United_States_v_Ghislaine_Maxwell_No_20_Cr_330_2020
    Supports: Charges, conviction date, and 2024 appellate affirmation reference.
  3. Encyclopaedia Britannicahttps://www.britannica.com/biography/Ghislaine-Maxwell
    Supports: Birth date, birthplace, nationality, and overview of conviction.
  4. Associated Presshttps://www.apnews.com/article/ghislaine-maxwell-sex-trafficking-conviction-2e090610b579c8313bea7c31174ae0c4
    Supports: Conviction background, sentence, and appellate decision summary.