CEOs Bulk Up On Security: Mark Zuckerberg Outspent Sundar Pichai, Elon Musk Before UnitedHealthcare CEO Killing

Companies have stepped up security budgets for their executives in recent years, even before the Wednesday killing of UnitedHealthcare (a subsidiary of UnitedHealth Group Inc (NYSE: UNH) CEO Brian Thompson.

CEO Security Details: The following companies spent the most on personal security for their CEOS in 2023, per Sherwood News citing SEC filings:

• Meta Platforms led the way, divvying $23.4 million for founder and CEO Mark Zuckerberg‘s security detail.
• Alphabet spent $6.8 million for CEO Sundar Pichai‘s security.
• Oracle spent $3 million on the security of CEO Safra A. Catz. Founder Larry Ellison serves as executive chairman.
• Tesla spent $2.4 million for CEO Elon Musk‘s security. Musk also owns a security company dedicated to his safety.
• Nvidia dished out $2.2 million for founder and CEO Jensen Huang.
• Amazon.com spent $1 million for CEO Andy Jassy. Founder Jeff Bezos serves as executive chairman.

Meta’s security for Zuckerberg eclipses the following 10 other companies’ executives combined.

The data does not include self-funded security initiatives.

Why it Matters: Johnson was killed on Wednesday morning outside a hotel by an unknown person who subsequently fled the scene.

Johnson’s death, an apparent assassination, was met with condolences from politicians and business leaders while sparking varied reactions online.

Companies may now decide to allot more in security budgets for their executives. CEO pay has skyrocketed over 1,000% since 1970, according to the Economic Policy Institute. Additional compensation may come in the form of security.

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