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Nicole Shanahan, who is running alongside Robert F. Kennedy Jr. in his bid for the presidency, is in the spotlight not just for her political ambitions but for her vast fortune as well. Humorously, it’s been said that Kennedy might have chosen Shanahan for her immense wealth.
According to reports, Shanahan’s wealth substantially increased following her divorce from Google co-founder Sergey Brin, making her one of the potential wealthiest vice presidents in history. It’s been reported that she received a settlement exceeding $1 billion from Brin, whose net worth is over $139.5 billion. Shanahan’s financial support has been crucial to Kennedy’s campaign, significantly bolstering its funding.
The New York Times highlighted that Shanahan’s financial windfall largely stems from her high-profile divorce, with sources close to her revealing she acquired more than $1 billion. Forbes had previously estimated she obtained approximately $390 million worth of Alphabet shares, though the exact details of the divorce settlement remain undisclosed.
There have been rumors, as reported by The Wall Street Journal, regarding Shanahan’s personal life, including an alleged affair with Tesla CEO Elon Musk, which both parties have denied. The alleged affair reportedly occurred after both Shanahan and Musk attended a party in Miami, leading to her separation and subsequent divorce from Brin in early 2022.
Shanahan has been an active contributor to Kennedy’s campaign efforts, with notable donations including $10 million to a super PAC supporting Kennedy and a $2 million contribution that helped secure a Super Bowl ad promoting Kennedy, drawing parallels to his famous relatives. However, some members of the Kennedy family have expressed disapproval of the campaign leveraging the Kennedy legacy.
Kennedy’s search for a running mate reportedly included considerations of NFL quarterback Aaron Rodgers and former Minnesota Governor Jesse Ventura, and there were also talks with former Congresswoman Tulsi Gabbard about the position. However, Gabbard has since indicated a shift in her focus towards potentially joining former President Donald Trump’s campaign team.
Rodgers himself shared that he had conversations with Kennedy but ultimately decided to continue his NFL career rather than entering politics. Meanwhile, Kennedy’s immediate challenge is securing a spot in the upcoming presidential debate against President Joe Biden and Trump, marking a critical moment for his campaign in the face of significant obstacles to gaining widespread recognition on the national stage.
The original source of this story is Business Insider.