New York—Indian-origin wellness guru Deepak Chopra found himself at the center of controversy after his name appeared in newly released Jeffrey Epstein case documents.
The Department of Justice released thousands of emails showing decade-long communications between the 79-year-old bestselling author and the late convicted sex offender.
Key Facts
• Deepak Chopra had approximately three years of regular email and text communication with Jeffrey Epstein starting from July 2016, continuing until three months before Epstein's arrest in 2019.
• The released Department of Justice documents include explicit exchanges where Chopra discussed "cute girls" and accepted offers for women to attend his events, raising questions about the nature of these interactions.
• On February 4, 2026, Chopra publicly denied criminal involvement and expressed regret about the tone of his communications, acknowledging that the language reflected poor judgment given what later became publicly known about Epstein.
Chopra broke his silence on social media, stating unequivocally that he was never involved in any criminal or exploitative conduct. He acknowledged that some emails reflected poor judgment in tone and expressed deep sadness for Epstein's victims.
Chopra is an AIIMS graduate and founding director of the Chopra Center for Wellbeing in Carlsbad, California.
The wellness author said he unequivocally condemns abuse and exploitation in all forms.
The emails paint a strikingly candid picture of exchanges between the spiritualist and the disgraced financier. In one 2017 conversation, when Epstein asked if he found him a cute Israeli, Chopra later wrote:
The phrase has now become the focal point of viral criticism on social media platforms.
Chopra appears to have first met Epstein in July 2016, nearly a decade after the billionaire pleaded guilty to soliciting sex with a minor. Over the next three years, the two communicated frequently through emails and text messages about consciousness, business, and other topics.
Their interactions continued even after a 2018 bombshell report exposed details of Epstein's 2009 conviction and controversial plea deal.
In multiple exchanges, Epstein offered to send women to Chopra's events, and Chopra accepted these offers. The wellness guru also invited Epstein to various functions, including a meditation workshop on Wall Street, a Science of Consciousness conference in San Diego, and personal visits to his Carlsbad center.
He even suggested Epstein bring a fake name and "his girls" when visiting Israel.
Chopra acknowledged in his statement that he was aware of allegations against Epstein during their friendship. In a November 2016 email, when Epstein shared a news link about a woman dropping her civil case against both Epstein and then-future president Trump, Chopra asked if Epstein also had a dropped civil case against him.
Epstein confirmed with a single word: "yup." Chopra responded: "Good."
The disclosures triggered immediate online criticism, with social media users pointing to Chopra's repeated thanks to Epstein for his friendship throughout their correspondence. Critics also called out his
while some questioned why such exchanges went unchallenged at the time. The situation has cast a shadow over Chopra's decades-long career as one of America's most prominent wellness influencers.
Despite the firestorm, Deputy Attorney General Todd Blanche noted that association with Epstein alone is not a crime. However, the explicit nature of the emails and Chopra's apparent awareness of serious allegations raises questions about ethical judgment and accountability.
Chopra's representatives have not responded to detailed questions about the nature of his relationship with Epstein.
Chopra stated in his response on February 4, 2026.
The controversy highlights broader questions about oversight within elite social circles and the responsibility of prominent figures to exercise judgment when associating with individuals facing serious allegations.
As more details emerge from the extensive Epstein files released by federal authorities, additional high-profile names continue to face scrutiny.
Emails show that Chopra frequently invited Epstein to his events and even suggested specific travel logistics, such as using a fake name during visits to Israel. The communications also reveal that Chopra was aware of at least some allegations against Epstein during their relationship.
When shown a news article about a woman dropping her civil case against Epstein, Chopra asked if Epstein also had a dropped case against him—demonstrating awareness of legal troubles.
The explicit language in the exchanges, particularly references to "cute girls" and discussions about younger women, has fueled intense online scrutiny. Social media users have highlighted Chopra's repeated expressions of gratitude for Epstein's friendship throughout the correspondence.
The controversy has prompted renewed questions about responsibility and ethical judgment among high-profile figures.
Chopra's statement acknowledged that some messages
and said he regretted the language used. He emphasized his focus on
However, his defense that contact was
conflicts with the substantial documentation of their extended relationship.
The wellness guru's career in spiritualism and self-help appears to face reputational challenges that extend beyond legal accountability.
Do You Know?
Deepak Chopra is the founder of the Chopra Center for Wellbeing in Carlsbad, California, and has authored numerous bestselling books on meditation, wellness, and spirituality. He has built a multi-million dollar wellness empire through books, speaking engagements, and branded products.
Despite his prominence in Western wellness culture, this controversy represents one of his most significant reputational challenges to date.
Key Terms
• Exploitative Conduct: Actions that unfairly or illegally take advantage of someone, particularly involving manipulation, coercion, or abuse of power for personal gain.
• Plea Deal: A legal agreement where a defendant agrees to plead guilty to charges in exchange for reduced penalties or certain charges being dropped.
• Civil Case: A legal lawsuit between private parties (not the government) seeking monetary damages or specific performance rather than criminal punishment.
• Wellness Guru: A prominent figure who teaches and promotes health, spiritual well-being, and alternative healing practices to a wide audience.
Image from Wikimedia Commons