American television journalist and author, best known as co-anchor of NBC's Today show (1991-2006) and as the first solo female anchor of a major nightly newscast (CBS Evening News, 2006-2011). Couric has one of the most thoroughly documented connections to Epstein among working journalists. Couric is listed in Epstein's black book with three phone numbers.
Her entry includes coded notations; ON-CAM/NY 100/LI/TEEN/ME/400; whose full interpretation remains disputed, though analysts have suggested these may reference geographic contact preferences or scheduling categories used in Epstein's organizational system. She appears on at least one documented Epstein flight: a February 10, 2000 trip from Teterboro, NJ to Palm Beach, FL, on which Epstein, Ghislaine Maxwell, and Sarah Kellen were also passengers. This flight predates Epstein's 2006 investigation.
In 2010, two years after Epstein's 2008 federal conviction for soliciting prostitution from a minor, Couric attended a dinner at Epstein's Manhattan townhouse at East 71st Street. Other guests that evening included Woody Allen, Charlie Rose, George Stephanopoulos, Chelsea Handler, and Prince Andrew. In her 2021 memoir Going There, Couric described the experience as "creepy" and wrote that Epstein kept "young women around" who were "not particularly verbal." She acknowledged attending a second event; a film screening; at Epstein's home with her then-boyfriend.
Couric admitted she did not investigate or report on Epstein at the time, a decision she expressed regret about. Epstein emailed Couric directly on April 22, 2012: "Come for coffee, week of may 7?? Sorry for all the typos." Couric appeared in 18 email records and 303 documents.
She also participated as an on-camera interpreter in the Poetry in America educational series, discussing the work of Elizabeth Bishop; that project received funding from both Epstein and Leon Black. A 2013 email listed Couric as an invitee to the New York Observer's 25th Anniversary event. A 2011 Daily Beast article titled "Bill Clinton, Katie Couric, Woody Allen: Jeffrey Epstein's Society Friends Close Ranks"; documenting how prominent New Yorkers defended Epstein post-conviction; was shared in Epstein's own correspondence.
No allegations of criminal wrongdoing have been made against Couric.
| Date | From | To | Aircraft | Passengers |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2000-02-10 | Teterboro Airport, NJ | Palm Beach International, FL | N908JE (Boeing 727) |