Who Is Peter Attia, ‘Celeb Doctor’ in Epstein Files - Inside His Life, Career, Family
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| Peter Attia was named in the latest Epstein files (X and AP) |
Peter Attia has become one of the most discussed figures in the U.S. health and media world — but not for the reasons he would choose. The physician, author, podcaster, and founder of a preventive health practice is now at the center of a public controversy after being named extensively in the newly released Epstein files, a cache of documents tied to convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein.
Peter Attia: Early Life and Education
Peter Attia was born on March 19, 1973, in Toronto, Canada, to Egyptian immigrant parents. He graduated from Queen’s University with a Bachelor of Science and went on to earn a medical degree from Stanford University School of Medicine in 2001. His early medical career included general surgery training at Johns Hopkins Hospital and research work at the National Institutes of Health.
Although he completed years of surgical training, Attia never finished a formal residency or became board-certified before transitioning into consulting and later longevity-focused medicine.
Career and Public Profile
Attia’s professional life spans multiple domains. After leaving clinical surgery in the mid-2000s, he worked as a consultant at McKinsey & Company before founding Early Medical, a private practice that emphasizes preventive care and longevity.
He hosts the popular podcast The Peter Attia Drive, where he interviews experts on science, healthspan, and performance, and co-authored the bestselling book Outlive: The Science and Art of Longevity, which became a New York Times bestseller.
By the mid-2020s, Attia’s influence extended into mainstream media. In January 2026, he was announced as a new contributor to CBS News, part of an editorial reshuffle by new leadership at the network.
Family and Personal Life
Attia lives in the Austin, Texas area with his wife, Jill, and their three children. He keeps his family life relatively private but has occasionally shared that fatherhood and personal health challenges have shaped his professional focus on longevity and preventive medicine.
The Epstein Files: What the Documents Show
In late January 2026, the U.S. Department of Justice released more than 3 million pages of documents related to Epstein, under the Epstein Files Transparency Act. These included millions of emails, memos, and records of contacts between Epstein and numerous public figures.
Attia’s name appears more than 1,700 times in the release, and many documents show frequent email exchanges between him and Epstein dating from 2014 through as late as 2019. Some emails reveal informal and friendly correspondence, including messages with crude language and jokes unrelated to legitimate medical care. One email quoted in multiple reports shows Attia telling Epstein that “the biggest problem with becoming friends with you? The life you lead is so outrageous, and yet I can't tell a soul...”
The content of some emails included references that many have found disturbing or inappropriate, even if not directly related to Epstein’s criminal behavior. Despite this, there is no evidence that Attia engaged in any illegal activities, participated in Epstein’s sex trafficking network, visited his private island, or attended sex parties.
Read more: Who is Steve Tisch and the Secrets in the Jeffrey Epstein Files
Public Response and Apology
Facing mounting scrutiny, Attia publicly acknowledged the emails and described them as “embarrassing, tasteless, and indefensible.” He expressed regret for his interactions, saying he was ashamed of some of the content and that he misjudged Epstein’s character and past. Attia denied ever witnessing illegal conduct or engaging in it.
He defended himself by insisting his interactions did not involve criminal behavior and that he never participated in known abusive activities. Attia also highlighted that he had limited contact and that any meetings were incidental.
Professional Fallout
The revelations have already had professional consequences. Reports indicate that CBS News is preparing to sever ties with Attia due to the controversy, though the network has not made an official public statement. His name has also been removed from the website of another organization he was affiliated with.
Critics have questioned Attia’s judgment and raised broader concerns about how influential figures can become entangled with individuals like Epstein, who maintained relationships with powerful people long after his criminal record was known.
Read more: Fact-Check: Bill Gates - Russian Girls Claim Emerges From Epstein Drafts
What It All Means
Peter Attia’s story illustrates how reputational risk can emerge from association as much as from misconduct. While the Epstein files do not show Attia committed any crimes, they do expose a pattern of communication that many observers find ethically questionable. As the fallout continues, the definition of personal accountability in public life remains a central debate.
