Sam Altman is one of the richest, most powerful figures shaping the future of AI — and humanity itself.
His sister Annie? A sex worker now accusing him of sexual abuse.
How did their lives take such divergent paths? A dark tale of power, control, and financial terrorism.
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His sister Annie? A sex worker now accusing him of sexual abuse.
How did their lives take such divergent paths? A dark tale of power, control, and financial terrorism.
🧵1/
2/ Background
The youngest of 4, Annie Altman was the "black sheep" of the family. Despite completing pre-med at Tufts, she chose to instead pursue improv, music, yoga — much to her family's chagrin.
Annie: "My siblings and mother Connie were very judgmental about the shift."
The youngest of 4, Annie Altman was the "black sheep" of the family. Despite completing pre-med at Tufts, she chose to instead pursue improv, music, yoga — much to her family's chagrin.
Annie: "My siblings and mother Connie were very judgmental about the shift."
3/ The one exception in the Altman family was Annie’s father, Jerry.
They were incredibly close and he supported all her unconventional choices — music, yoga, and even writing a book about "how to human".
In her words: “I will always be a daddy’s girl, and specifically yours.”
They were incredibly close and he supported all her unconventional choices — music, yoga, and even writing a book about "how to human".
In her words: “I will always be a daddy’s girl, and specifically yours.”
4/ In May 2018, Jerry Altman tragically died of a heart attack while rowing on Creve Coeur Lake at age 67.
Despite having a "heart condition," he worked full-time until his death.
Annie had repeatedly urged Sam to help retire their dad, who dreamed of living in Costa Rica.
Despite having a "heart condition," he worked full-time until his death.
Annie had repeatedly urged Sam to help retire their dad, who dreamed of living in Costa Rica.
5/ Here's where the story turns dark, VERY dark.
Throughout her life, Annie struggled with mental and physical health issues, which worsened as she grieved her father's death.
@sama's alleged sexual assault against
@anniealtman108 may have played a role (more on this later).
Throughout her life, Annie struggled with mental and physical health issues, which worsened as she grieved her father's death.
@sama's alleged sexual assault against
@anniealtman108 may have played a role (more on this later).
6/ After her father's passing, Sam, Connie, and her siblings hid Jerry's will from Annie for over a year, until her father's 401K company notified her that she was his primary beneficiary.
It wasn't until September 2019 that Sam finally gave Annie access to her father's will.
It wasn't until September 2019 that Sam finally gave Annie access to her father's will.
7/ Annie then decides to quit her job to focus on her health, expecting that she would receive money that her father Jerry had left for her.
According to Annie, she notified her relatives of this plan, which she described as a "six month plan to heal my body."
According to Annie, she notified her relatives of this plan, which she described as a "six month plan to heal my body."
8/ While filing paperwork, Annie discovers that her mother Connie, though separated, was still legally married to Jerry — used the "surviving spouse" option to override his will, blocking Annie from the money.
When she asks her family for help, they told her to "work harder."
When she asks her family for help, they told her to "work harder."
9/ On December 19, 2019, she posts publicly about her precarious financial predicament on Facebook.
That same month, left without options, she signs up for the first time on SeekingArrangements, a site connecting "sugar babies" with wealthy clients.
Annie: "This is a plan Z."
That same month, left without options, she signs up for the first time on SeekingArrangements, a site connecting "sugar babies" with wealthy clients.
Annie: "This is a plan Z."
10/ Annie’s journey in sex work was a mix of survival, trauma, and fleeting empowerment — from her first client's payment immediately covering overdue bills to dangerous in-person meetings driven by desperation, she endured harrowing experiences while reclaiming her autonomy.
11/ Financial Terrorism
Sam and her family did try to offer financial help, but with strings attached — like restarting Zoloft, an antidepressant she’d quit at 23.
Other times, they told her to "figure it out."
On her therapist’s advice, she refused and went "no-contact."
Sam and her family did try to offer financial help, but with strings attached — like restarting Zoloft, an antidepressant she’d quit at 23.
Other times, they told her to "figure it out."
On her therapist’s advice, she refused and went "no-contact."
12/ It was during her "no-contact" period (2020-23) that memories of alleged sexual assault by Sam began to resurface (although in 2018, she documented her first memory as a panic attack).
Annie made explicit her allegations in Nov. 2021. Sam's ChatGPT launches in Nov. 2022.
Annie made explicit her allegations in Nov. 2021. Sam's ChatGPT launches in Nov. 2022.
13/ ChatGPT was an instant success. But during Sam's meteoric rise, he said almost nothing about Annie — she was never mentioned in interviews, as if she were a ghost.
At one point, ChatGPT didn’t even recognize Annie’s existence, likely because she was rarely mentioned online.
At one point, ChatGPT didn’t even recognize Annie’s existence, likely because she was rarely mentioned online.
14/ In 2023, Elizabeth Weil publishes "Sam Altman is the Oppenheimer of Our Age" — in it includes an interview with Annie, unlike previous profiles of Sam.
Curiously, a day before its release, Sam emails Annie, apologizing for not helping her during her financial struggles.
Curiously, a day before its release, Sam emails Annie, apologizing for not helping her during her financial struggles.
15/ Clearly there's something here. Nobody enters sex work lightly, especially the sister of a powerful billionaire.
At this point, it’s Annie’s word against Sam’s — some say she’s extorting him, others note repressed memories aren’t uncommon in SA victims.
What do you think?
At this point, it’s Annie’s word against Sam’s — some say she’s extorting him, others note repressed memories aren’t uncommon in SA victims.
What do you think?
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