Palm Beach Pete

Palm Beach Pete is an American social media personality and retired commercial real estate executive who became internet famous in the mid-2020s for his uncanny resemblance to Jeffrey Epstein. Under the "Not Epstein" branding, he posts humorous vlogs and trend videos on TikTok and Instagram, often depicting himself partying, smoking cigars, and driving a Bentley in South Florida. As of early 2026, his TikTok account not_jeffepstein has amassed over 950,000 followers, and his Instagram account real.palmbeach.pete has over 200,000. His content leans into the look-alike shock value while consistently denying any connection to Epstein. In 2026, he announced a campaign for mayor of Palm Beach, Florida, leveraging his viral notoriety. [edit]

Peter Bart Simel was born on Valentine's Day 1955 and grew up in New York City, though detailed records of his childhood remain private. He attended Syracuse University, graduating in 1977, and went on to work as a commercial real estate executive in Manhattan. In his youth, he competed as a Division I tennis player and reportedly earned a gold medal in an unspecified tournament, an athletic background that set him apart from typical social media influencers.

His path to virality began years before he adopted the Palm Beach Pete persona. Around 2019, a front-page photo of Jeffrey Epstein in the New York Post made people notice how closely Simel resembled the disgraced financier. He also appeared in the background of an episode of The Real Housewives of New York City, which fueled online curiosity when viewers spotted the likeness. An influencer filmed him at a sporting event around 2020, generating some early buzz. By 2023 or 2024, he had relocated from the Upper East Side to Palm Beach, Florida, setting the stage for his eventual viral moment. [edit]

Palm Beach Pete's breakthrough came in March 2026, when a video of him driving a Bentley on I-95 in South Florida went viral, racking up hundreds of millions of views. The clip, shared widely on TikTok and Instagram, showed a man who looked exactly like Jeffrey Epstein, sparking conspiracy theories. Simel quickly leaned into the attention, creating accounts under handles like not_jeffepstein and real.palmbeach.pete, and posting self-aware content that humorously insisted he was not Epstein.

His first TikTok video, posted in March 2026, surpassed 5 million views. Within weeks, he had gained over 950,000 followers on TikTok and 200,000 on Instagram. Major outlets including NewsNation, Hindustan Times, and the New York Post covered his story. In April 2026, he collaborated with popular creator SteveWillDoIt, further boosting his reach. Later that year, he announced a campaign for mayor of Palm Beach, drawing both curiosity and skepticism from local media. Beyond social media, he continues to make media appearances, discussing his sudden fame and the Epstein conspiracy theories that surround it. [edit]

Palm Beach Pete's public persona is built entirely around his striking resemblance to Jeffrey Epstein, which he exploits with self-aware humor. His visual brand features casual resort wear, cigars, luxury cars, and South Florida backdrops. On social media, his tone is lighthearted and deflective, frequently using captions and skits that emphasize "I am not Jeffrey Epstein" to engage with and disarm conspiracy chatter. Media coverage often labels him a "viral Florida man" or "Epstein look-alike," while fans follow him for the shock value and the ongoing parody. His content style is a mix of vlogs, trend videos, and lifestyle clips that contrast sharply with Epstein's dark legacy, making him a niche figure in internet culture. [edit]

Palm Beach Pete's following is a unique case of decentralized viral curiosity rather than traditional fandom. There is no organized fanbase, specific moniker, or ritualistic gatherings; instead, his audience consists of internet users and political observers reacting to the uncanny resemblance between Peter Simel and Jeffrey Epstein. The phenomenon is driven by conspiracy theories and the shared internet narrative that he might be the disgraced financier alive and well, a story sparked by a viral I-95 driving video. While fans do not organize charity drives or birthday billboards, they engage deeply with his self-aware humor and political announcements, such as his 2026 mayoral campaign promising free Botox and bagels. Interaction remains limited to direct responses on social media where he clarifies his identity and age compared to Epstein's. Despite this massive global attention, iFANN's Global Fame Engine has evaluated this person, but they do not currently hold a placement in the published rankings (Global Top 1,000 or a Top-100 scope list). This absence of a rank reflects the transient nature of viral fame that relies on speculation rather than sustained artistic output or verified public service achievements.[edit]

Palm Beach Pete claims to have attended parties in New York where Jeffrey Epstein was present, describing Epstein as "kind of creepy," but insists they never spoke. He is a former Division I tennis player and a gold medalist, though the specific competition is not public. He appeared in the background of an episode of The Real Housewives of New York City, which later fueled online comparisons. He has children and enjoys attending hockey games. He relocated from New York's Upper East Side to Palm Beach, Florida around 2023-2024. A foundational legend surrounding him emerged when a video surfaced of a man driving on Interstate 95 in South Florida who bore a striking resemblance to Jeffrey Epstein, sparking immediate conspiracy chatter claiming Epstein was alive. This viral event led to mainstream exposure, including a segment on the BBC panel show Have I Got News For You featuring host Roy Wood Jr. discussing the phenomenon. Later that year, capitalizing on his viral fame, he announced his intention to run for Mayor of Palm Beach in 2028, cementing his transition from a viral lookalike to a political candidate with eccentric campaign promises.[edit]

Palm Beach Pete was born in the United States, but specific details about his parents and siblings are not publicly documented. He has children, though their names and ages are kept private. He reportedly attends hockey games with his kids. He currently lives in Palm Beach, Florida, after relocating from the Upper East Side of New York City around 2023-2024. No information about a spouse or current partner is available. [edit]

Palm Beach Pete collaborated with SteveWillDoIt, a popular creator associated with the Nelk Boys, in April 2026. He has been compared to Jeffrey Epstein due to his physical resemblance, a comparison that fueled his rise to fame. He has been interviewed by NewsNation and appeared on The Nicky Gordo Show. [edit]

Palm Beach Pete keeps his romantic life private. Public reporting does not name any spouse, partner, or ex-partner. The only personal life detail available is that he has children and attends hockey games. As of 2026, his relationship status is unknown. [edit]

Palm Beach Pete's exact net worth is not publicly reported as of 2026. He is a retired commercial real estate executive who worked in New York City for decades, which likely provided substantial assets. His lifestyle in Palm Beach, including driving a Bentley and frequenting luxury settings, suggests significant personal wealth. Potential income sources include social media monetization from his TikTok and Instagram accounts, which have hundreds of thousands of followers, as well as paid collaborations like his April 2026 partnership with SteveWillDoIt. [edit]