$4 Million Annually
This power couple is known for having a massive amount of security on hand during concerts and events. Each can have as many as 300 guards in a crowd, all ready to jump on an exuberant fan and keep them from getting on stage.
Additionally, they employ one of the most famous bodyguards in the world, Julius DeBoer. Trained in Krav Maga and Systema, the Amsterdam-born bodyguard holds a psychology degree from the University of Amsterdam and is believed to speak five languages
$2 Million Annually
While Maleficent has her own back most of the time, for Ms. Jolie, it’s quite another story. Being the mom of 6 wildly independent children (and being a superstar), her security costs range upwards of $2 million annually as each kid needs a different bodyguard, according to Mark Billingham, a former Jolie-Pitt guard.
It's not so easy to work with the stars, but Mark says he has the most pleasant memories of life in the Jolie-Pitt family. Most of all, he admired how the spouses were able to manage their time. With all their grandiose employment, they did not waste a single minute and always succeeded in everything.
$500,000 Annually
Rihanna rose to fame in 2007 with the album Good Girl Gone Bad. Her songs quickly became staples on the radio and at parties all around the world. But Rihanna wasn’t content to stay in one industry and decided to branch out, creating her very own fragrance.
We often see Ri-Ri out in public with her guard, even getting piggyback rides from former guard Geoffrey Keating. But being Rihanna’s bodyguard isn’t always what it cracked up to be. In 2017, Rihanna was sued by Keating and his wife for defamatory allegations that tarnished his reputation in the industry.
$2.1 Million Annually
The mother of monsters has security, but they've not always protected her. Recently, her beloved dogs were kidnapped during a walk in which the dog walker was severely injured trying to protect them. She’s recently been spotted with Peter Van der Veen, a former Mr. Europe and popular bodyguard.
Van der Veen hails from Holland and can be frequently seen in the background of photos. The guard's top priority is protecting Gaga at all times, but it also helps that he genuinely cares for her safety as if he were part of her family. During a past interview, he once expressed that he looked up to Gaga like a sister.
$20,000 Monthly
Everyone’s favorite Friends star is usually guarded by a team of men who keep fans at bay. Needless to say, she is swarmed by fans every time she heads out, which means she only ever travels with her security entourage around. However, when she’s not on the red carpet or at a premiere, she’s much more relaxed at home.
A former bodyguard recalls--“When she answers the door in the morning, she’s in a mini camisole and underwear. She never covers up. I can name all the moles on her body, that’s how many times I’ve seen her undressed.”
$1 Million Annually
Security fees are on the rise for the Beckhams, who have applied to West Oxfordshire District Council for permission to build a gatehouse to "improve security for occupants" at the mansion and surrounding grounds. Fears have grown since the family is coming out of lockdown.
Bodyguard Bobby Rich is a familiar face for any Beckham fans, as he's frequently seen guarding the celebrity family’s children. Seen most commonly with Brooklyn, he has also been spotted taking the kids ice skating and busting out a denim jacket with Romeo in New York. Rich, who also works as a personal trainer and works out with David Beckham, has also dated a few celebrities in his time.
$1.2 Million Annually
Being Mr. Amazon certainly has its perks, and Jeff Bezos is one of the wealthiest men alive. However, while he doesn’t garner the same kind of attention in crowds like A-list celebs such as Kim Kardashian or Jennifer Aniston, he still is a VIP. Bezos has admitted to investing $1.2mm in personal security for peace of mind.
The world's richest man doesn't spend the most on security, at least not publicly. Forbes reports that the amount Amazon shells out for Bezos' security hasn't changed since 2012, despite the billionaire's wealth growing by about $113 billion. An Amazon spokesperson said Bezos pays separately for his personal security.
$3 Million Annually
The couple is no longer under the protection of the Royal Family, and that’s cause for concern for their safety and wellbeing, as Harry noted in the infamous Oprah interview. Harry said that the couple never considered going into business with streamers like Netflix and Spotify until a friend suggested it: “I just needed enough money to pay for security to keep my family safe.”
When it comes to major public figures, the price tag for security adds up quickly. Another reason security might have been top of mind for the pair is that stepping out into the spotlight for the couple’s first in-depth interview while discussing weighty personal and political issues about the royal family can bring about new threats.
$1.3 Million Annually
It’s helpful if your bodyguard is larger than life, and that’s exactly the case with Daniel Radcliffe and his bodyguard, Sam. Sam is described as "laconic, 6 foot 3, and movie-star handsome" and has the difficult task of keeping Radcliffe safe from hordes of screaming Harry Potter fans.
You’ll notice in photos that Sam is never more than an arm’s length away--at one point, he had to snatch Radcliffe away from a barrier as a crowd surged towards him. He also puts precision planning into the smallest details, including how Radcliffe is going to get to the bathroom without being mobbed.
$80-100k Daily
One celebrity made national headlines in recent years after a horrifying robbery in Paris during Fashion Week. Kim Kardashian has spoken publicly about the event and just wanted to be safe. Unfortunately, social media was the cruel mistress in this case that exposed her.
The costs for the reality star are staggering. Home security starts at roughly $1.5 million a year alone. Factor in one-off events like Fashion Week (commands $1,000 a day) or just having mobile bodyguards at your disposal, and you’re looking at totals over $3.5 million. It’s rumored that her security firm has worked for Brad Pitt and Katy Perry before and once served in the Israeli military.
$2 Million Annually
Even the kids need protection. Forbes estimates that Hollywood superstar Tom Cruise’s net worth is a whopping $500 million. His name is a money maker at the box office, as he owns the record of acting in six successive movies that made more than $100 million.
Cruise spends approximately $2 million a year on security for his daughter, Suri, and ex-wife, Katie Holmes. In addition to his personal security costs that skyrocket to over $2.5 million a year, Tom is also thought to have an underground bunker built in his Colorado estate for over $7 million.
$42,000 Monthly
The Force Protection Agency was founded in 2017 by Russell Stuart, a former California State Guard officer turned security specialist, who says he saw a hole in celebrity protection. He works exclusively with musicians and celebrities, like Jennifer Lopez, who need major protection.
Most bodyguards are ex-military; some are ex-cops. Some are actually still in one or the other. Considering that Jenny from the Block likes to travel with her family, it's easy to see how security costs add up.
$400,000 Monthly
The Kardashian-Jenner family seems to be choosing bodyguards not only by their professional skills but also by their appearance. The whole world keeps discussing the hot, handsome bodyguard, Tim Chung, who protects Kylie Jenner. However, his predecessor was just as attractive. Just look at the huge muscles on this guy! Any woman would feel safe behind this stone wall.
Most celebrities use two, 12-hour shifts per day for their bodyguards. That kind of work would add up quick--one driver and one security escort, two to four guards manning the property, one guard monitoring the CCTV, and at least one backup guard.
$25,000 Monthly
J Law’s profile has increased over the past decade, and so has her need for personal protection. Enter Greg Lenz, a former model who studied architecture at the University of Colorado. How he made the jump from builder to bodyguard is anyone’s guess, but I’m sure it started with building a few muscles of his own. It’s important to note that Lenz is a happily married man, so no shades of The Bodyguard here.
With crowds of fans, stalkers, paparazzi, and home-invading thieves, it’s easy to see why Jennifer Lawrence protects herself with such a capable guy.
$2 Million Annually
The Pirates of the Caribbean star's ex-bodyguard revealed the family spent a lot of time at a secret hideaway in West Hollywood--not in France, as fans assumed. “He spent a fortune on a security system, which includes almost a dozen hidden cameras,” the former bodyguard explained. “He doesn’t want to be thought of as a Hollywood-type celebrity. You’ll never find him shopping on Robertson Blvd. He has clothes picked up by the guards and brought to the house for him to try on.”
At the moment, Depp has been under the spotlight as he and his ex-wife Amber Heard continue their legal battle in which Heard is claiming domestic abuse for $100 million and Depp is counter-claiming defamation for $50 million.
$3 Million+ Annually
Taylor Swift's security team is known for being highly effective and comes with a hefty price tag of over $3 million annually. It's unclear how many people are on her security detail, but she has a group of committed bodyguards who are constantly vigilant to ensure her safety. Taylor's security detail has become known for their professionalism after successfully managing incidents involving Tony Romo and other high-profile individuals.
Travis Kelce, Taylor's boyfriend, had a memorable encounter with a member of her team when he placed his hand on a bodyguard's back to assist in opening the door for her. Taylor Swift relies heavily on her security detail to ensure her safety and privacy as she navigates the complexities of being a celebrity.
