Misse Beqiri Opens Up About the Pain of Being Linked to Epstein Before Her Brother's Tragic Death

GAZING up at a billboard as she drove through Hollywood, Misse Beqiri couldn’t believe it was her own face looking back at her.

The 39-year-old has been given another shot at fame and fortune – she’s landed a place on of London. But behind the glamour lies a very murky past – with murder, organised crime and divorce all playing a part. Misse has spent years trying to shake it – and very almost did until her name popped . Now, insiders tell us how the mum-of-two really feels about the darkness at her door.

Misse Beqiri is making a return to TV as she starts a new chapter in her lifeCredit: Instagram Misse has joined the cast of Real Housewives of London Jeffrey Epstein wanted to go to a fashion show with Misse, who he met through a mutual friendCredit: AFP

An insider said: “It was of course a complete shock to find her name was mentioned in the Jeffrey Epstein files. She was very young when she met him and didn’t know who he was back back then.

“Of course she was flattered by his attention but it was never acted on. She was a young model trying to make a career for herself, she was promised modelling contracts by him so that’s why she even entertained it to start with.

“She regrets that now though. She feels terrible for all the victims in this situation and believes justice will be served.

“She knows she has done nothing wrong, she just met him – he pursued her, not the other way round. And those who know her, know the truth.”

The Sun told how Epstein offered to fly Misse by private jet to join him in Paris – he was desperate to go to a fashion show in the city with her.

Smitten Epstein even wanted to buy Misse, who hails from Albania but grew up in Sweden, a £100,000 Mercedes.

They were introduced by a mutual friend and first met in 2011 at his £37million Manhattan pad. Misse was shocked to find the seven-storey mansion had a mock classroom with desks, but decided to stay as she hoped he could aid her career.

They met just a few months after he had served 13 months in jail, plus a year of house arrest, following his 2008 conviction for procuring a child for prostitution.

A friend said: “She didn’t know about his conviction at that stage.”

The timing hasn’t been best placed – in just a matter of weeks Misse will be joining Amanda Cronin and Juliet Mayhew on the second series of Real Housewives of London.

She’s well aware that on paper her life looks anything but squeaky clean – her divorce from footy star Anders Lindegaard, her volatile romance with and her brother’s criminal past and murder have wrecked havoc with her image.

But sources tell us that the new show is a chance for her to have a fresh start and her priority is now concentrating on a safe and secure future for her kids.

She is mum to son Julian, 11, who she shares with ex Anders and daughter River, 8, who she had with former fiance Jake Hall.

Our insider explained: “She’s really excited about the new show, it really is like a fresh start for her and she’s looking forward to people finally seeing the real her.

“She wants to create a new brand herself and the show will help with that. Misse is much more than the ex of premier league footballer and Towie star. It’s her time to shine and now the kids are a little bit older, she doesn’t feel as guilty about leaving them for work.”

Reflecting on her latest role as she saw her billboard for the first time, an emotional Misse was surprisingly candid with her fans and shared: “What a surreal moment. I’m beyond proud of us – the effort, the open hearts, everything we brought this season. Life definitely hasn’t been handed to me on a golden plate. I’m not perfect, but I know my worth, and I’ve grown into someone I’m really proud of.

“This show isn’t just a job for us – it’s become our life, and so has the cast. I’m so grateful for everyone who showed up for me when I was breaking, when I couldn’t even get out of bed – but I did, because people believed in me. And I’ll always keep pushing for a better life for me and my children.

“Seeing this billboard doesn’t sum up the proud moments, but it shows that you can fall so many times and still get back up. Here’s to a new chapter.”

She’s no stranger to reality TV – she had a stint on Real Housewives of Cheshire, but it was the breakdown of marriage to Anders that took centre stage.

Misse’s brother Flamur was murdered on Christmas Eve in 2019 The star was married to Anders Lindegaard and shares a son with himCredit: Facebook Misse was married to Anders for two years before their split

In moving scenes she told her co-star Dawn Ward: “Mentally I’m not in a good place, Anders and I are growing apart and we’re becoming different people. I am literally holding everything inside me, I feel like I’m going to explode every second.”

Misse was married to goalkeeper Andes, who played between 2010 and 2015, winning the Premier League title twice, for two years before their split in 2016.

She started dating former Towie star Jake in that same year and in 2017 they welcomed their daughter River.

Rocky romance

As her romance with fashion designer Jake went to the next level – the pair got engaged and Misse decided it was time to leave Cheshire to start a life with Jake in Essex.

It was a big decision for her and one that she struggled with, telling us at the time: “It’s devastating but everything has to have its end. I’m moving on and have my life with Jake in London.”

The fairytale with Jake didn’t last long, in 2018, shortly after getting engaged Jake was slapped with a restraining order after the cops were called to a blazing row with Misse.

He was banned from contacting her for 28 days – Jake denied any allegations of violence but accepted that voices were raised and agreed that “perhaps a cooling off period is required.”

The relationship was somewhat strained and by 2021 they called it quits for good.

A shock shooting

Misse had been through a lot – her brother Flamur Beqiri was gunned down in front of his family outside his home in Battersea, south-west London after he had been for dinner, by a masked assassin on Christmas Eve in 2019.

Dramatic CCTV footage of the shooting showed his wife Debora Krasniqi screaming and cradling her two-year-old son.

Their three-month old baby and the children’s three grandparents were inside as he was struck by eight bullets and shot at 10 times.

The court was told that Flamur was part of an organised crime network involved in “violent rivalry” with another group in the Scandinavian country and he was “involved in serious and organised crime”. He has been suspected of “international drug dealing” since 2007 and had been arrested on “several occasions” in Europe.

Misse dated former Towie star Jake Hall and had a child with himCredit: Getty Images – Getty She previously appeared in Real Housewives of Cheshire Misse was delighted to see herself on a billboard in AmericaCredit: instagram

Swedish mafia “gun for hire” Anis Hemissi was jailed for life with a minimum term of 35 years.

Misse’s life was completely rocked by his death, and a year on she was still unable to come to terms with what had happened.

She shared: “I never got a chance to say I love you, never got a chance to say I’ll miss you.

“I have you in my heart no matter how far you are, to the heavens I wish I could fly. I will remember everyday with you.

“You left us a year ago and nothing has felt the same. I know you feel my tears, and you don’t want us to cry yet my heart is broken because I can’t understand why.”

Understandably the devastating loss impacted her relationship with Jake, with a source telling us: “Their bond was tested after a series of difficult situations, including the tragic death of her beloved brother Flamur. It’s been really tough for them both and they struggled to make it work.”

They remained close for the sake of co-parenting their daughter, sparking speculation at times they were giving it another go.

Misse’s rise to fame

Misse’s was a teenager working in a clothing store in Copenhagen when she was discovered as a model.

Her career quickly took off – and saw her model in Paris, Milan and New York. She met Anders and fell easily into the life of a WAG, which led to her landing .

And it’s not hard to see why – she’s perfect reality TV fodder, bright, ballsy and very beautiful – with a sprinkling of danger. Now, it’s finally Misse’s time to take the limelight and for once, it’s on her own terms.

Misse has a succesful career as a modelCredit: Getty