The president and CEO of the World Economic Forum (WEF), Børge Brende, has resigned following an independent review of his past connections to the late convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein.
Brende, who is a former foreign minister of Norway, led the WEF for more than eight years. The organization is best known for its annual meeting in Davos, Switzerland, where global political leaders, business executives, and other influential figures gather to discuss major world issues.
The resignation came after recent releases of documents—often called the “Epstein files”—by the U.S. Department of Justice. These files included millions of private emails, images, and FBI reports related to Epstein, who died in 2019 while awaiting trial on sex trafficking charges. Epstein had been convicted in 2008 for soliciting prostitution from a minor and was registered as a sex offender.
Brende admitted that he dined with Epstein on three occasions between 2018 and 2019. He also exchanged emails and text messages with him. However, Brende stated he was “completely unaware” of Epstein’s criminal activities at the time. He later expressed regret for not investigating Epstein more thoroughly.
In response to the revelations, the WEF launched an independent review. The organization concluded that there were “no additional concerns beyond what has been previously disclosed.” Being named in the Epstein files does not mean someone committed a crime, and Brende has not faced any accusations of wrongdoing.
On Thursday, February 26, 2026, Brende announced his decision to step down. In a statement, he said: “After careful consideration, I have decided to step down as President and CEO of the World Economic Forum. My time here, spanning 8½ years, has been profoundly rewarding.” He added that he believed it was the right moment for the WEF to continue its work “without distractions.”
The WEF’s co-chairs, André Hoffmann and Larry Fink, thanked Brende for his “significant contributions” and leadership during a period of reforms. They said they respected his choice to leave.
Alois Zwinggi, a managing director at the WEF, will serve as interim president and CEO. The board of trustees will lead the search for a permanent successor.
Brende’s departure is part of a larger wave of scrutiny facing prominent figures linked to Epstein. Other high-profile individuals, including former U.S. Treasury Secretary Larry Summers and billionaire Thomas Pritzker, have also resigned or stepped back from roles amid reviews of their Epstein connections. In Norway, several public figures, including royals and diplomats, have faced questions over similar ties, and one former prime minister was recently charged with corruption related to Epstein.
The case continues to highlight how Epstein’s network reached into business, politics, and global organizations, even years after his death.
