Forbes recently released its list of the 20 richest people on the planet. Facebook founder, chairman, and CEO Mark Zuckerberg clocked in at #6 with an estimated net worth of $44.6 billion, adding $11.2 billion to his 2015 fortune and moving up to No. 6 from 16. Stupid money.
The Facebook board of directors would be stupid to let the founder of the largest social networking site on the planet roam free and live some peasant lifestyle, so they do their part to keep Zuckerberg alive and well. Big time.
According to NY Post,
The social-networking giant spent more than $5 million last year on bodyguards and other measures to protect Zuckerberg and his growing family, according to a regulatory filing.
The cost to protect Zuckerberg topped $6.2 million in 2014, up from $3.2 million the previous year, according to the filing. In all, the company has shelled out $14.5 million on security for the CEO over the past three years.
Apparently, Zuckerberg presents a much bigger target than rival tech titan Tim Cook. Apple paid $209,151 on security for Cook last year, according to its latest proxy filing.
The U.S. Census Bureau most recent reports indicate that the average household income hovers around $52,000 per year. So for those of you scoring at home, Facebook spent 100 U.S. household incomes just to keep a 31-year-old from not dying.
The company authorized the “overall security system,” which consists of 16 bodyguards working in shifts, private jet travel, and installation and maintenance of alarms and cameras in his home, due to specific threats against Zuckerberg’s safety.
They also shelled out another $1.3 million to implement a security program for chief operating officer Sheryl Sandberg.
Meanwhile, I will be paying for dinner tonight in miscellaneous quarters I found lying around my room.
[h/t NY Post]