Exclusive: Paolo Zampolli refutes Amanda Ungaro claims

Businessman and diplomat Paolo Zampolli is forcefully denying a series of allegations made by Amanda Ungaro, telling Newsweek in an exclusive phone interview Saturday that his ex-wife’s statements about him—including claims tied to Jeffrey Epstein, immigration issues, and his past personal life—are “distortions” and “out of control.”

Zampolli, who serves as special envoy for global partnerships under the Trump administration, said he agreed to speak publicly because, in his view, Ungaro’s accusations have escalated into a “false narrative” affecting his reputation and his family.

Why It Matters

Ungaro has recently gained renewed attention online after describing herself as a former Epstein victim and making claims about her past interactions with Zampolli, including assertions about her age when they met and her proximity to political figures. Her statements have circulated widely on social media and in national and international press coverage.

Zampolli says the allegations have had a direct impact on his family and have revived long‑running legal disputes between him and Ungaro, who has faced her own criminal and civil proceedings in the United States and Brazil.

What To Know

Zampolli rejected Ungaro’s claims about their past relationship, telling Newsweek: “I met Amanda in New York when she was 19. Now they say she was 15. The distortion of the information is out of control.” He also denied any personal connection to Epstein, a convicted sex offender who died by suicide in 2019 while in prison while awaiting trial on federal sex trafficking charges, stating: “I never had any personal engagement with Mr. Epstein. It was part of the New York scene—that’s it.”

Zampolli described Ungaro as “out of control” and suggested she was motivated by attention, saying: “Let’s invent something more—that’s what this has become.”

He also said he believes her public statements have harmed his family, particularly his son: “She destroyed my son…He is the biggest joy of my life.”

Ungaro has previously described herself as an Epstein victim and has claimed she was connected to Zampolli through modeling circles. She has also posted on social media about her past legal issues, including her arrest and ongoing court matters. Zampolli referenced those cases directly, saying she had been “arrested” and was “still awaiting trial,” adding: “She got lucky to escape justice.”

He also addressed allegations involving immigration authorities, saying he contacted ICE after Ungaro’s deportation to Brazil find out where his son was. “Honestly, I was worried about my 15‑year‑old boy,” he explained. “Did I pull favors? No. Was she illegal? That’s for them to decide.”

The Department of Homeland Security, which oversees ICE, also denied that political influence played a role.

Zampolli further pushed back on claims Ungaro had close ties to political figures, saying she had only taken photos at public events.

“You go in line and take a picture—maybe you speak for 45 seconds. She never even spoke to the first lady,” he said, adding that she had to contact a mutual friend to try to get in touch with Melania Trump.

He also pointed out that despite Ungaro’s posts saying she was going to unveil the truth, no further information about Melania or Epstein has come out.

Throughout the interview with Newsweek, he expressed frustration with what he described as online amplification of unverified claims, saying “Enough is enough.”

Who Is Amanda Ungaro?

Ungaro, a 41-year-old former model from Brazil, threatened to upend the first lady’s life in a series of intensifying posts on X earlier this month just hours before the first lady disavowed all ties to Epstein or knowledge of his crimes.

Ungaro was deported to Brazil in October 2025 following her arrest in June of that year for overstaying her visa and operating an unlicensed clinic, although she has alleged Zampolli had a hand in orchestrating the deportation due to their ongoing custody battle.

Ungaro and her new husband were arrested in Miami and charged with fraud, practicing medicine without a license, and other charges. They both pleaded not guilty, the Tampa Bay Times reported.

In early April, Ungaro began posting on social media about Epstein and Melania Trump.

“I have nothing left to lose in my life,” she posted on X. “I will tear down the entire system — be careful with me b****.”

“I have known you for 20 years,” Ungaro said in the post directed to Melania. “You knew I was detained in ICE. You were present in my life — every year on my son’s birthday, even sending Secret Service and being the first to congratulate him, back in 2016.”

“Something was clearly wrong, but I am not part of any evil mission involving children,” she continued. “So what did you do, Melania? You tried to involve me, but you failed — because I have character.”