Lifestyles of the rich and famous

The revelations from the Epstein files have proved a major embarrassment to some, and have blighted the careers of others. They have also given us a fascinating glimpse into the lifestyles of the rich and famous. We all knew about fame snobbery, in that A-listers only ever associate with other A-listers, and never with ‘common’ people. We all knew that money seeks status and status seeks money. Those with status but no money will readily lend fame in return for financial support. The Andrew formerly called Prince and his impecunious ex-wife are but two examples of this. There are others.

What has emerged from the files is an insight into the sleaze that seems to be routine at levels of high status and money. Many of these people seem to operate in ways that are used to having whatever they want, regardless of any moral code that might otherwise restrain them. “Bring along your harem” pays no regards to the girls or their wants and needs. They are simply instruments to serve the satisfactions of the celebrities they are there to please.

“I don’t remember a gift of £75,000” is not something that most of us would say, but when money is splashed around by the bucketful, the less fastidious amongst us might ‘forget’ how much went their way. What’s a few hundred thousand between friends? It’s something that mattered to the recipient, but was probably what Epstein kept in the change dish on his hall table.

Sex and money is a combination that lends itself to sleaze, and among many of the rich and famous it seems to provide for their effortless gratification of whatever they want. Epstein provided both, and many of his guests seem to have taken both. Their regret was not at the things they did, but that it ever emerged into the public domain. They regret that we all have an insight into what for them is a routine lifestyle.

Madsen Pirie