Documents linked to the convicted American financier Jeffrey Epstein reveal that he maintained a close relationship for nearly three years with Emirati diplomat Hind Al Owais.
Our review of 469 documents, some of them duplicates, released by the US Department of Justice, shows repeated references to Al Owais. The relationship between Al Owais and Epstein began in 2010, when the Emirati diplomat was serving as an adviser to her country’s mission at the United Nations headquarters in New York.
Who Is Hind Al Owais?
In 2015, Hind Al Owais became the first Emirati woman appointed as an international adviser at the United Nations in New York.
She began her diplomatic career in 2000. She holds a Master of Arts in public policy from the Tisch School in New York and a Master’s degree in international affairs from the American University of Beirut.
Al Owais held several positions within the UAE Ministry of Foreign Affairs. She served as a special assistant to the foreign minister, acted as chargé d’affaires for the UAE’s permanent mission to the United Nations, and held roles including deputy executive director at UN Women.
“Come See Me”
Correspondence reviewed shows that Al Owais met Epstein several times between 2010 and 2012. The relationship went beyond casual acquaintance and included repeated meetings at Epstein’s luxury residence in New York, requests for legal and financial assistance, and discussions of joint projects.
Appointment records and draft emails reveal a recurring pattern of invitations, with Epstein frequently sending his now familiar phrase, “Come see me,” to which Al Owais would respond by asking about the timing, whether for breakfast, lunch, or dinner.
Documents indicate that many of these meetings took place at Epstein’s private residence at 9 East 71st Street in Manhattan, a location later central to investigations into his crimes.
Visits were not limited to Hind alone. On certain occasions, her sister, Hala Al Owais, was also present. Epstein’s assistant, Leslie Groff, arranged meetings for both sisters at his residence.
Epstein’s schedules place Hind Al Owais in overlapping timeframes with other controversial figures. While she was visiting the 71st Street residence, Epstein was hosting, at closely scheduled intervals, Jes Staley, former chief executive of Barclays, and Brock Pierce, a billionaire prominent in the cryptocurrency sector.
Documents from October 2011 show Epstein integrating Al Owais into meetings with academic elites, arranging for her to meet renowned biologist Robert Trivers.
The correspondence also indicates that Al Owais coordinated her appointments with Epstein carefully around visits to the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York.
Additional documents show attempts to arrange meetings between Epstein and Al Owais while she was in Beirut and at other times in Paris.
Legal and Financial Assistance
The relationship extended beyond social encounters into personal advisory matters. In one message, Al Owais wrote to Epstein: “Jeffrey, Chase Bank stole my money. What do I do? Can I sue them?” Epstein responded by inviting her to meet immediately to discuss the issue.
In another instance, Al Owais asked Epstein to help her find an “amazing divorce lawyer” in Tampa, Florida, as well as an immigration lawyer, explaining that her sister was in “trouble”. Epstein promptly requested further details in order to assist.
A document shows that on 28 January 2012, Epstein arranged a meeting bringing together Hind Al Owais, her sister Hala, and Reid Weingarten, one of the most prominent criminal defence attorneys in the United States and Epstein’s personal lawyer.
The correspondence also reveals Epstein’s attempts to cultivate influence within Emirati institutions. He proposed to Al Owais the idea of organising a “scientific conference in Abu Dhabi” bringing together leading scientists from around the world. He also suggested that the UAE government support scientific events, competitions, and prizes. Al Owais later informed him that the response from officials in Abu Dhabi was negative, indicating she had presented the proposal but it was rejected.
In one message, Epstein mentioned that a person at his residence might be “useful for your future job,” inviting Hind to come meet him.
The emails show Epstein positioning himself as a facilitator of opportunities. When Al Owais expressed a desire to leave her diplomatic post and asked, “Help me, how do I make money?”, Epstein offered direct intervention to resolve residency and employment issues, writing plainly: “The question will be about work papers. I will help you with that.” He also offered to intervene on her behalf in Dubai.
In another exchange, Epstein stated that he saw Hind Al Owais as a future minister of culture in her country, saying there would be no competition in the UAE should she seek the position.
Al Owais responded: “I cannot wait to see you again and continue our conversation!!!!! Soon, I hope!!”
Gifts and Invitations
Epstein used gifts and services to strengthen the relationship. Through his assistant, he offered to purchase tickets to Broadway shows such as The Lion King and Wicked as gifts for Hind and her friends.
The correspondence included friendly exchanges and gifts of boxes of doughnuts, with Al Owais expressing her “immense joy” upon receiving them.
She also used affectionate language toward Epstein, writing phrases such as “I miss you” and “You forgot me, but I did not forget you.”
Leaked correspondence shows that Epstein offered Al Owais the use of his private car and driver and to stay in one of his apartments.
On 7 April 2011, a document shows Epstein explicitly offering her the use of his transport in New York, writing: “Would you like to use my car and driver these days?” He explained he was in Paris at the time, so providing her with the vehicle and driver “is not a problem for me.”
Was She Implicated in Sexual Scandals?
Social media activists circulated a controversial document claiming that Epstein had asked Al Owais to “prepare two girls,” framing it as an allegation of her involvement in his sexual scandals.
However, the text of the document and the surrounding correspondence reviewed indicate that the reference to the two girls concerned Hind and her sister.
In a message dated 28 January 2012, Hind Al Owais wrote to Epstein: “Getting one girl ready is hard enough, but two, you can definitely call that a challenge. We may even be late!”
The context, as shown in prior and subsequent correspondence, indicates she was referring to herself and her sister Hala. In an earlier message, Epstein asked her to come earlier, around 11 o’clock, writing: “I want to spend more time with you two.”
Additional correspondence between Hind and Leslie Groff confirms that the appointment was for Hind and her sister. Groff asked: “May I know your sister’s name?” Hind replied: “Yes, my sister’s name is Hala Al Owais.” Epstein’s schedule for that day listed: “11:30 appointment with Hind Al Owais and her sister Hala.”
In another message of a more emotional tone, Hind wrote to Epstein: “Are you in town? My sister is here and I have told her a lot about you. I want her to meet you. Tell me when. Kisses.” In a separate document, she wrote regarding her sister: “She is more beautiful than me.”
In March 2012, Hind Al Owais wrote to Epstein after completing her commitments: “Hiiii, I miss you. I am here, finally free. When?”
