Key Highlights
- The U.S. Department of Justice failed to redact an image of Stephen Hawking with bikini-clad women from the released Jeffrey Epstein files.
- Hawking’s family called out the DOJ for releasing the image, stating that the two women were his long-term carers and condemning any insinuation of impropriety as “grotesque.”
- Family members expressed deep distress over the decision not to remove the image before publication, citing Hawking’s medical needs.
The Controversial Release: An Image of Stephen Hawking with Bikini-clad Women
The U.S. Department of Justice has faced backlash from the family of renowned physicist Stephen Hawking after failing to redact an image showing him flanked by bikini-clad women. The image, taken in 2006 at the Ritz Carlton Hotel on St Thomas and released as part of Jeffrey Epstein’s files, has caused a stir among Hawking’s loved ones.
Hawking’s Long-term Carers
Aaron Tinney from RadarOnline.com reported that the two women in question were long-term carers from the U.K., who accompanied Hawking on international trips due to his complex medical needs. The family spokesperson emphasized, “Professor Hawking made some of the greatest contributions to physics in the 20th century while at the same time being the longest-known survivor of motor neurone disease… Any insinuation of inappropriate conduct on his part is wrong and far-fetched in the extreme.”
The Family’s Distress
A source close to the family added, “They are appalled and sickened that a photograph showing Stephen with his carers was released without context. It invites salacious speculation he was hanging out with sex trafficking victims, where none is warranted. The DOJ knew the sensitivity surrounding this image and the headlines it would bring.” Another family associate said, “This was a man almost completely paralyzed, who needed full-time medical support. To imply anything untoward because two carers are pictured beside him is both unfair and cruel.”
The Conference Controversy
The photograph was taken during a conference on gravity attended by Hawking in March 2006. Phillip Peebles, who won the Nobel prize in physics in 2019 and attended the event, recalled: “It was a good one… There appeared comely young women who stood about, not saying anything.” He estimated there were six to 10 young women present, suggesting they were “younger than any of the women taking part in the conference.” Peebles noted, “I couldn’t imagine what they were doing.”
Lawrence Krauss, a theoretical physicist who helped organize the event, disputed that recollection.
He said, “It was no different than other really good small workshops I have been to. There were no young women around.” Krauss added, “There were no warning signs. It was a great meeting, and Jeffrey had a minimal presence at best.”
The Release of Epstein Files
The release of the Epstein files in January 2026 has reignited controversy surrounding the late financier’s connections with prominent figures like Hawking. The family’s distress over the image is compounded by the broader context of Epstein’s alleged crimes, which have cast a shadow on the scientific community.
As the debate continues, the focus remains on the importance of context and respect for the privacy and legacy of individuals, especially those with complex medical needs like Hawking. The U.S. Department of Justice faces criticism for its handling of sensitive images in such releases.
