The family of the renowned physicist Stephen Hawking has expressed deep frustration and disappointment with the U.S. Department of Justice for failing to redact a photograph of him alongside bikini-clad women in a recent release of files related to Jeffrey Epstein. The family insists that the women depicted were Hawking’s long-term caregivers, labeling any insinuation of scandal or impropriety as “grotesque.”
The image in question, taken in 2006 at the Ritz Carlton Hotel in St. Thomas, shows Hawking, who passed away in 2018 at age 76, positioned between two women seemingly holding cocktails. This controversial photograph was included among millions of documents released by the Justice Department in January concerning Epstein, who died in 2019 while awaiting trial on serious charges related to sex trafficking.
At the time the photo was taken, Hawking was attending a scientific conference on gravity, funded by Epstein. The late physicist, known for his significant contributions to science and his battle with motor neuron disease, required constant medical care and assistance. A spokesperson for the Hawking family noted the photo’s release caused “deep distress,” emphasizing that it lacked context and invited baseless speculation regarding Hawking’s interactions.
They asserted, “Any insinuation of inappropriate conduct on his part is wrong and far-fetched in the extreme.” The estate clarified that the two women were his caregivers from the U.K. who provided essential support during his travels due to his complex medical needs.
Close sources to the family have reinforced their belief that the Justice Department should have taken greater care to protect Hawking’s reputation, stating that releasing the image without proper redaction or context was not only insensitive but also added unnecessary pain to the family. The spokesperson underscored that Hawking, who lived with a debilitating condition for over 50 years, needed full-time assistance, making such implications particularly harmful.
Hawking was a father to three children—Robert, Lucy, and Timothy—and maintained a close relationship with his first wife, Jane, as well as his grandchildren. The physicist’s legacy remains untouched by the controversy surrounding the photograph, as he has never faced any allegations of wrongdoing. The family has called for awareness and sensitivity when dealing with matters that could affect the legacies of public figures, advocating for the honoring of Hawking’s monumental contributions to science and humanity.