Reinaldo Avila da Silva is a Brazilian translator who married the British politician Lord Peter Mandelson in 2023. He gained widespread public attention in early 2026 when unsealed court documents revealed that he had received £10,000 from convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein in 2009 to fund an osteopathy course. The disclosure has prompted questions about Mandelson’s judgment and led to calls for further scrutiny.
Until the recent document releases, da Silva had remained largely out of the public eye despite spending more than 27 years in a relationship with one of the most prominent figures in British politics. The couple’s marriage in 2023 was a private affair, and little was known about da Silva’s professional life or his background before the Epstein connection emerged.
The revelations are part of a broader unsealing of Epstein-related financial records and correspondence. They have placed da Silva at the centre of a political controversy that continues to unfold, with Mandelson disputing parts of the record and calling for verification of the documents.
Who is Reinaldo Avila da Silva?
Reinaldo Avila da Silva
Brazilian translator
Spouse of Lord Peter Mandelson; receipt of funds from Jeffrey Epstein in 2009
Married Peter Mandelson in 2023
- Reinaldo Avila da Silva is a Brazilian translator who has been in a relationship with UK politician Peter Mandelson for more than 27 years, culminating in a marriage in 2023.
- In September 2009, da Silva emailed Jeffrey Epstein requesting financial support for an osteopathy course; Epstein subsequently sent £10,000.
- The transaction has raised political questions about Mandelson’s judgment, though no source has yet suggested any illegality occurred.
- Department of Justice bank statements reportedly show three $25,000 payments in 2003–2004 connected to da Silva’s account, which Mandelson has said he does not recall receiving.
- Mandelson has questioned the authenticity of the documents and has stated that neither he nor da Silva has any record or recollection of those earlier payments.
- No standalone, authoritative biography of da Silva exists, and key biographical details such as his exact age and early life remain unreported.
| Fact | Detail |
|---|---|
| Nationality | Brazilian |
| Profession | Translator |
| Spouse | Lord Peter Mandelson (m. 2023) |
| Epstein Payment (2009) | £10,000 for osteopathy course |
| 2003–2004 Payments (Disputed) | Three $25,000 payments linked to da Silva’s account |
| Source of Revelations | Unsealed Epstein court documents (January 2026) |
| Relationship Duration with Mandelson | Since circa 1996 (more than 27 years) |
| Mandelson’s Position (2009) | EU Trade Commissioner at the time of the payment |
How is Reinaldo Avila da Silva connected to Peter Mandelson?
A relationship spanning more than two decades
Reinaldo Avila da Silva and Peter Mandelson began their relationship around 1996. For many years, da Silva remained outside the media spotlight, and the couple kept their private life largely out of public view. Mandelson, a former European Trade Commissioner and a key figure in the New Labour governments of Tony Blair and Gordon Brown, has been one of the most recognisable figures in British politics, making the relative anonymity of his partner notable.
The relationship between da Silva and Mandelson has lasted more than 27 years, making it one of the longer-known partnerships involving a senior UK political figure. Despite Mandelson’s high-profile career, da Silva’s presence at public events was rare, and he did not feature prominently in media coverage until the Epstein documents emerged.
Marriage in 2023
The couple married in 2023, formalising a bond that had already endured for nearly three decades. The wedding was not widely publicised at the time, and details about the ceremony have not been made available. The marriage is recognised in the UK, where same-sex marriage has been legal since 2014.
Da Silva is referred to in media reports as the spouse of Lord Peter Mandelson, confirming that the two are married. BBC reporting has referred to da Silva as Mandelson’s “partner and later husband”, a formulation that reflects the evolution of their relationship over time.
What is the connection between Reinaldo Avila da Silva and Jeffrey Epstein?
The 2009 email and £10,000 payment
In September 2009, da Silva sent an email to Jeffrey Epstein explaining that he needed financial help to pursue an osteopathy course. Epstein replied that he would “wire the loan amount immediately”, and records show that £10,000 was subsequently transferred to da Silva. The exchange has been published as part of a broader release of Epstein-related documents in 2026.
The reporting from The Guardian includes screen captures of the email correspondence. The Independent also reported on the content of the messages, noting that Epstein told his accountant to send additional funds, including “13k dollars” and then “2k per month to Reinaldo”. The total amount that changed hands beyond the initial £10,000 is not clearly established in the available documents.
The email was sent in September 2009. Epstein had been released from prison in July 2009 after serving 13
Freddie Arthur Cooper Harrison is Editor-in-Chief of PopCulture UK, covering film, TV, music and celebrity news. He is accountable for the newsroom's editorial standards, and leads its sourcing and fact-checking process so that every article separates verified fact from rumour and is reviewed before publication.