Independent presidential candidate Robert F. Kennedy Jr. recently announced Nicole Shanahan, a Silicon Valley lawyer, as his running mate at a rally in Oakland, California. Shanahan, who lacks experience in politics, aims to focus on serving peace and helping those in poverty as vice president. Aside from her goals, Shanahan brings financial support to the ticket, essential for funding the campaign’s efforts to secure ballot access in all 50 states. Shanahan, speaking at the rally, acknowledged her wealth, which she attributes to her previous marriage to Google co-founder Sergey Brin, whose net worth is estimated at over $120 billion.
Shanahan and Brin married in 2018, two decades after Brin launched Google, but divorced in May 2023 amid reports of an affair with Elon Musk. While details of their divorce settlement remain private, Brin’s SEC filings reveal a substantial decrease in his Alphabet shares, suggesting a transfer to Shanahan, potentially worth around $390 million. Experts suggest that these transfers are likely related to the divorce proceedings and may not be immediately visible in insider transaction filings. As California is a community property state, the division of assets in the divorce may be influenced by a prenuptial agreement between Brin and Shanahan.
It is unclear if Shanahan received close to the $1 billion she reportedly sought in the divorce, but potential transfers of Class C shares could bring her fortune closer to that amount. With a substantial amount of liquidity from her divorce settlement, Shanahan’s wealth exceeds Kennedy’s estimated $15 million net worth, positioning her as the wealthiest vice presidential candidate in decades. This financial advantage could significantly benefit the Kennedy campaign, which has raised relatively little funding compared to other presidential candidates and has limited ballot access in just four states.
Shanahan’s financial disclosure, due by May 15, may offer more insights into her wealth, although she has the option to request extensions, potentially delaying the disclosure until September. Kennedy praised Shanahan as a fellow lawyer, scientist, technologist, and warrior mom, highlighting her role as his partner in challenging the corporate influence in politics. Shanahan expressed her commitment to getting Kennedy on all ballots nationwide over the next seven months, aligning with his vision of combatting the corporate-captured political landscape.
As a self-funded candidate, Shanahan has the advantage of contributing unlimited funds to her campaign, while regular donors are limited to a maximum contribution of $3,300. Earlier this year, she reportedly donated $4 million to a super PAC supporting Kennedy, demonstrating her willingness to invest in the campaign. The financial support from Shanahan’s divorce settlement and personal resources could potentially boost the Kennedy campaign’s visibility and impact as they strive to secure ballot access across all states and compete in the upcoming election.
