Billion dollar bodyguards: from Beyoncé and Jay-Z’s bombproof cars to Facebook paying US$23.4 million for Mark Zuckerberg’s safety, here’s how much celebrities spend on their security
- Kanye ‘Ye’ West’s ex, Kim K, now spends US$7 million per year after a Paris armed robbery, while Prince Harry and Meghan Markle signed big Spotify and Netflix deals to pay for their teams
- Donald Trump and Zuckerberg’s major personal security costs did not come out of their own pockets – with the former US president even making money from taxpayers
Celebrities often attract attention for their huge entourages, but a closer look reveals many aren’t just surrounded by clingers-on.
Here’s how stars are blowing through millions of dollars for round-the-clock personal security.
Donald Trump asked for US$120 million extra to protect his family
Records show US$61 million was for reimbursing local law enforcement – it cost New York City US$308,000 a day to protect Trump Tower during one of the former leader’s visits, while US$58 million was requested to go toward guarding his residences in Florida and New York, even when he was not there.
The BBC reported Trump brought an estimated 1,000-strong entourage on trips to Britain and Israel – including 150 Secret Service staff.
Trump even made some money from having so many bodyguards, as records show that he charged the government for agent’s stays at his resorts both during and after his term in office.
Beyoncé and Jay Z spent US$4 million … including bombproof cars
When music power couple Beyoncé and Jay-Z’s popped out for dinner at Hollywood eatery Mother Wolf in February, it looked like a relaxing night out. But there was nothing relaxing about their nearby security team.
