Attorney Nicole Shanahan, Robert F. Kennedy Jr.’s running mate, has staggering wealth that would make her one of the richest vice presidents in history if their long-term campaign succeeds in November.
According to the New York Times, Shanahan’s largesse is largely due to her divorce from Google founder Sergey Brin. Shanahan received more than $1 billion from the divorce, three people with knowledge of his finances told the Times. Brin, one of the richest people in the world, is worth around $139.5 billion, according to Forbes.
Forbes previously estimated in March that Shanahan received about $390 million in Alphabet stock from Brin, based on the then-estimated value of the shares that were likely transferred to him. Their divorce records are not public. Forbes attempted to piece together what Shanahan might have received from her husband of three years, based on Brin’s public disclosures about his stake in Alphabet.
The Wall Street Journal reported rumors last year that Shanahan had an affair with Tesla CEO Elon Musk, a claim both have denied. The Times, citing three sources, reported that the affair occurred after they both took ketamine at a party in Miami in late 2021 and that she told Brin about it.
Brin and Shanahan reportedly separated weeks later, and Brin filed for divorce in early 2022.
Shanahan used his wealth to help Kennedy’s campaign, donating $10 million to a pro-Kennedy super PAC. His $2 million donation helped the group American Values 2024 secure a Super Bowl ad comparing Kennedy to his father, RFK, and presidential uncle, JFK. The other Kennedys did not appreciate his allies openly using the family’s image to boost his campaign.
Kennedy, according to the Times, first looked at Jets quarterback Aaron Rodgers and former Minnesota Gov. Jesse Ventura before choosing Shanahan as his running mate. Former Congresswoman Tulsi Gabbard also claimed to have had conversations with Kennedy about becoming vice president, but said she would now focus on trying to join former President Donald Trump’s ticket .
Rodgers told reporters Tuesday that he’s not quite ready to retire from the NFL to enter politics.
“I love Bobby,” Rodgers said. “We had some very pleasant conversations. But there were really two options: either retire and become his vice-president, or continue playing.”
Kennedy’s main concern at the moment is trying to lead next month’s debate between President Joe Biden and Trump. The unprecedented start of the debate certainly offers him a narrow path to access the stage, but it is not certain that he will be able to reach the thresholds for access to the elections and the ballots in time. No third-party presidential candidate has debated alongside the two major contenders since Texas businessman Ross Perot in 1992.
businessinsider
