Forbes released its 40th annual World’s Billionaires List, and it’s a who’s who of the Jeffrey Epstein files.
Since the Department of Justice began releasing records related to the late pedophile on Dec. 19, the rich and famous linked to Epstein have been resigning and publicly apologizing in droves.
Dozens of names on the new 3,428-person Forbes list also came up in the Epstein files, some more than others.
Bill Gates – ranked the 19th richest person in the world with $108 billion — is chief among them.
In emails released by the feds, Epstein claimed the Microsoft co-founder, a frequent visitor to his Upper East Side townhouse, asked for medicine to treat a sexually transmitted disease he caught from “sex with Russian girls.”
Gates, 70, later admitted to flying on Epstein’s private plane and to two affairs with Russian women – and called his friendship with the disgraced financier a “huge mistake.”
Steve Tisch, chairman of the New York Giants and ranked 1,193rd richest in the world with a $2.2 billion fortune, exchanged several eyebrow-raising emails with the sex predator.
They showed Epstein tried to set up the 77-year-old businessman with women, including a “Tahitian” girl named “Emily in 2013, years after Epstein’s first conviction in Florida.
“Working girl?” Tisch replied in one missive. Others referenced “girls” from Ukraine and Russia.
Tisch later claimed they were talking about adult women, and that he regrets associating with Epstein.
Last week, he announced he’s transferring his ownership stake in the NFL franchise to his children.
Virgin founder Richard Branson — 1,504th on the Forbes list with $2.8 billion — lives on a private island in the British Virgin Islands a short 20-minute helicopter ride from Epstein’s “pedo island,” and gushed in emails about Russian girls Epstein brought him.
The pair hung out twice on the 75-year-old English entrepreneur’s Necker Island in 2013, with Epstein bringing girls each time.
Branson was so pleased, he emailed Epstein after the second visit to say, “Any time you’re in the area would love to see you! As long as you bring your harem!”
Here are other billionaires on Forbes’ list with alleged close ties to Epstein:
