In 2015, Virginia Roberts Giuffre, then 32, publicly accused Jeffrey Epstein of sexual abuse. Her allegations have since sparked renewed interest in Epstein's connections to powerful figures, including Prince Andrew. Giuffre claims she was one of Epstein's underage victims and alleges that she was raped three times by the prince. Giuffre's testimony has drawn attention to Epstein's past, particularly a secret plea deal he received in 2008 that allowed him to avoid federal charges. This leniency enabled him to maintain connections with influential individuals, including Microsoft founder Bill Gates. Giuffre's life story, detailed in her memoir "Nobody's Girl," reveals a history of exploitation beginning at a young age. She alleges that her father sexually abused her and later traded her to a neighbor. At 15, she became homeless and was taken in by a sex trafficker. Giuffre eventually found work at Donald Trump's Mar-a-Lago resort, where she hoped to build a better future. However, her life took a dark turn when she met Ghislaine Maxwell, Epstein's associate. Giuffre alleges that Maxwell recruited her under the pretense of providing massage therapy, leading to a cycle of abuse involving powerful men. "It started with one and it trickled into two and so on," Giuffre told The Miami Herald in 2008. At 17, Giuffre claims she was introduced to Prince Andrew. She describes a meeting in London where he correctly guessed her age and later posed for a now-infamous photograph with her. Giuffre alleges that during their encounter, Andrew believed that sex with her was his "birthright." Giuffre's relationship with Epstein and his associates continued until she was 19, when she decided to escape. She fell in love and moved to Australia, but the shadow of Epstein lingered. In 2007, she received threats from both Maxwell and Epstein to remain silent amid police investigations. In 2015, Giuffre went public with her allegations, including the photograph with Prince Andrew. Both he and Buckingham Palace denied her claims. In a BBC interview, Andrew stated he had not spoken to Epstein since 2010, a claim later proven false. Giuffre's pursuit of justice faced further setbacks when Epstein died in 2019 while awaiting trial on sex trafficking charges. "We've worked so hard to get here, and he stole that from us, too," Giuffre said after his death. Maxwell was sentenced to 20 years in prison for her role in the abuse, while a civil settlement between Giuffre and Andrew was finalized in 2022. Despite denying the allegations, Andrew retained his title as Duke of York until recently, when he was stripped of his royal titles. Giuffre, who died by suicide in April at age 41, left behind a legacy of advocacy for survivors of abuse. Her memoir, set to be released in 2025, aims to continue her fight for accountability. "Virginia wanted all the men who she'd been trafficked to against her will to be held to account," said her memoir collaborator. Her lawyer emphasized the importance of listening to survivors, stating, "It should be a lesson for all to listen, hear and believe survivors of abuse."