There is a whole new threat of problems that arise when you enter into the world of the rich and famous, one being safety and security. That would mean that as the world’s richest man, Jeff Bezos probably has to take some precautions to ensure his own safety, right?
Jeff Bezos has bodyguards. Not only has he invested in the personal protection of his own personal bodyguards, he has had to invest in other extensive security measures. With the fortune he has amassed, Bezos has had to ensure the security of his family, friends, and close colleagues from any threats.
Read on to discover more on why Bezos would need bodyguards, the security precautions he has to take, and just how much his security costs.
Why Hire Bodyguards?
Jeff Bezos has a net worth that sits somewhere around $140 to $150 billion USD, with that much money a lot of safety concerns arise. Those safety concerns are not just for himself, but for family, friends, and close colleagues. People like kidnappers could target Bezos to try and hold him or his family for ransom.
There is also the inevitable hate that other people may have towards Bezos. Some of that hate has been from the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. Bezos came under the fire of the Saudis after his newspaper, The Washington Post, published incriminating stories surrounding the death of Jamal Khashoggi.
Although Bezos does not have a hand in what The WaPo publishes, that did not stop the Saudis. Gavin de Becker, Bezos’ Chief of Security, found that the Saudis were responsible for hacking Jeff Bezos’ phone and sending private information to the National Enquirer.
Being under the attack of an entire nation definitely means Bezos needs some backup.
Follow the below YouTube link to learn more about how Jeff Bezos’ phone was hacked.
What Kind of Security Measures Does Bezos Take?
As mentioned previously, Jeff Bezos’ Chief of Security is Gavin de Becker. Bezos uses Gavin de Becker’s company Gavin de Becker and Associates for his own personal security. He has a deep trust in the security that de Becker provides. Bezos even went as far as to write de Becker a blank check in order to discover who was behind Bezos’ cell being hacked.
In 2016, when Bezos had a cameo in the movie Star Trek Beyond, the world received a small amount of insight into his security measures. Actor Chris Pine, one of the stars of the movie, recalled to Vanity Fair that Bezos showed up with “like, nine bodyguards and three limos. It was really intense.”
Other than an entourage of bodyguards and blank checks, there isn’t too much information out there on what other security measures Bezos takes. Although this Business Inside article reports that Bezos had bulletproof glass windows installed in his office at the Amazon Headquarters in Seattle last year.
The Cost of Personal Security
According to the most recent reports, Bezos spends around $1.6 million a year on personal security. This amount may seem like a lot of money, but it is on the low end compared to what other tech CEOs spend on their security. There is evidence that Mark Zuckerberg, the founder of Facebook, spends up to $23 million a year on security. It has increased in recent years due to Zuckerberg’s continued unpopularity with the public.
A breakdown of Bezos spending on security has never been made available, which makes sense in trying to keep the CEO safe. However, the cost of the renovations to his office in Seattle were reported when Amazon applied for the building permits. The amount? Only $180,000.
Whether it be hiring a personal entourage of bodyguards or installing bulletproof glass to his office, Bezos does need to ensure his own safety. As the richest many in the world, taking risks in the realm of security is not an option.
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