Chief among their problems is the very real danger of fanatics, haters, and crazies, meaning whenever they’re out, they have to have bodyguards. Many celebs swear by their bodyguards, considering them personal friends. They can cost hundreds of thousands of dollars a year, and to many, that’s more than worth it.
Bruce Willis
Despite starring in a movie as a bodyguard, Willis has his own team of security. Thanks to his big roles, as well as his time with actress Demi Moore, the paparazzi have always been after him – and of course, there are also the crazy fans to worry about.
Willis has been a close friend with a number of his bodyguards and even helped one of them, Michael Clarke Duncan, eventually earn an Oscar. Duncan had been a towering bodyguard for people like Will Smith, Martin Lawrence, and The Notorious B.I.G. When he met Willis on set, Willis encouraged him to try acting, leading to an Oscar-winning performance in “The Green Mile.”
Tom Cruise
When you see him on the movie screen, he's doing all his own stunts, but that doesn't mean he's really an action hero. Cruise contracts with former S.A.S. member Billy Billingham – and it costs him fifty thousand dollars a week. Being world-famous for decades will do that.
One of Cruise's former bodyguards, Sean Ringgold, ended up leaving the contract due to personal disagreements. Keeping mum about a contract's personal life is par for the course with most protectors, and Billingham had nothing bad to say about working with Cruise – though he did once share an anecdote of protecting Cruise from an “assailant.” The assailant turned out to be Penelope Cruz.
Kylie Jenner
With almost a billion dollars in net worth, Kylie Jenner might be the richest person on this entire list. It makes sense, then, that her security personnel cost her almost five million dollars a year. She's made her brand on Instagram and television and has also launched Kylie Cosmetics.
Young as she may be, she's one of the richest people on the planet. She might have started out as just Kim Kardashian's little sister, but she now spends hundreds of thousands of dollars a month on personal security. There are many who even think that Kylie is now more famous and more successful than big sister Kim.
Whitney Houston
Whitney Houston starred in a movie called “The Bodyguard,” and the idea for the movie was partly based on someone who protected Houston in real life. His name was David Roberts, and he worked as a police officer in North Wales before becoming part of the personal security industry.
Roberts worked for the singer for seven years, starting in 1988. He was let go when he brought up concerns about Houston's health to her team. Roberts now runs his own Florida-based security firm, and he's said that he feels like she would be alive today if his worries hadn't been ignored.
Justin Bieber
One of the big downsides of mega fame is not being able to go out on your own. Bieber became famous when he was still a teenager, and he's had plenty of bodyguards who have protected him from fans.
While Justin has calmed down since he got married, he was always making waves during his heyday, which meant his bodyguards had to be ready for anything. His current head of security is Michael Arana. Thanks to working with Bieber, Arana has gained a bit of fame for himself, with almost two-hundred thousand followers on Instagram – he's often featured on the fan page “Bieber's Bodyguards.”
Jason Momoa
Here's a question: why would Jason Momoa, who is a huge, muscle-bound star, need protection? Well, he's only one man, and he still wants to avoid injury. Despite his huge stature and muscles, he's still often seen with bodyguards – though he looks more like the bodyguard himself.
He's also a big actor, having reached popular stardom as Khal Drogo from "Game of Thrones" and as Aquaman in the DC universe movies. There are a lot of people who want the chance to talk to him. He shells out around a hundred and twenty-five thousand dollars a year for security.
Kanye West
Whether they're after him or they're after his ex-wife Kim Kardashian, the press and paparazzi are always dogging this rapper's heels. He spends upwards of a hundred thousand dollars a DAY to keep him and his family safe.
One of Kanye's ex-bodyguards, Savage Steve, admitted that the rapper could be a little hard to work with. Steve described Kanye as often very moody and frequently ranting about one thing or another. Of course, a hundred thousand dollars a day will keep most people working, so Kanye has no issues finding bodyguards when he needs to go out. His big entourage is always with him.
Kristen Stewart
Though reportedly a very private person, actress Kristen Stewart still has security, with her worth a hundred grand per year. She has a lot of fans thanks to starring in the “Twilight” series and numerous other flicks.
Her bodyguard has become famous for another reason, too. He's gotten the reputation of being one tough dude, as he has protected a number of stars such as Nina Dobrev and Emilia Clarke. Stewart has said that he's being a good sport about all the attention his looks are getting. She's rarely seen out in public without him.
Bella Hadid
She took the fashion industry by storm alongside her sister Gigi, and photographers like nothing more than models and fashion designers, since they always try to look so good. No doubt Bella learned this quickly, and so now pays a quarter of a million dollars for personal security every year.
One of her bodyguards has gained some attention for looking quite similar to movie star Jason Statham. Her guards had sometimes taken things too far, such as when one of them pushed a female paparazzi – he got a stern talking-to from Bella.
Halle Berry
Amazingly, Halle Berry's net worth is “only” 100 million, but she still pays around three hundred thousand a year for her peace of mind. It makes sense. However – she's been in the public eye since the early nineties and has dealt with paparazzi, crazed fans, and more.
Over the course of her long career, Berry has employed a number of different bodyguards. She often takes them on hikes, though part of their job is to be as strong and look as intimidating as possible. Hikes are great physical fun, but for most of the guys that are there to protect her, such jaunts are just a little more added on top.
Ezra Miller
Even the Flash needs a bodyguard. This actor has been in movies like “Justice League” and “Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them,” and he hired an eccentric bodyguard named Gu Rubee as protection. As you might be able to tell from the picture, Gu is extravagant and fashionable.
Ezra is a pretty easy-going guy, which means he isn't getting into many fights, but he's still willing to pay for protection. However, Gu has one of the lowest costs on this list: a mere $15,000 annually. It sounds like this strange character might deserve a raise. Miller can afford it thanks to his three million dollar net worth.
Oprah Winfrey
Once you hit a billion dollars of net worth, you need security with you at all times. Well, Oprah is a media mogul who has hit a billion almost three times, and she doesn't keep the purse shut when it comes to personal and family protection.
One of her bodyguards was Michael Jai White, who eventually went on to be an actor in such films as “Falcon Rising,” “Blood and Bone,” and the “Never Back Down” movies. He was also one of the first black actors to play the role of a superhero in a blockbuster hit in “Spawn.” He's trained in Taekwondo, Kyokushin, Jujutsu, and numerous other martial arts.
Beyonce
There are few people who are more famous than Queen Bey. She's been in the music world since the nineties with Destiny's Child, and then she went on to be a record-breaking solo artist. She does everything in a major way, and that includes her personal security entourage.
She's famous, and her husband Jay-Z is famous, so no doubt they pay through the nose for security. Yes, in fact, it's anywhere from two to four million dollars the family pays – the celebs that have children will always pay more, and this family is no exception. They often travel and often perform, which means their need for protection is high.
Katie Holmes
She began her career as one of the good-looking kids on “Dawson's Creek,” and then Katie Holmes moved on to movies with roles in “Batman Begins,” “The Secret,” “First Daughter,” and “Jack and Jill.” But the cameras have been after her ever since she married Tom Cruise.
It's been especially hard on the couple's daughter, Suri, and even after the famous breakup, Holmes keeps a team of guards around to protect her daughter. It costs her two hundred grand for this kind of year-round protection, but her child's safety is worth it.
Scarlett Johansson
Black Widow might be able to fight anyone, but Scarlett is just an actress. She plays it safe by keeping her bodyguards close when she's at film premieres or out on vacation.
Johansson is another celeb known to treat her security well, but more than most – she actually dated one of her bodyguards for a short time, though the relationship didn't last long. She's no stranger to public relationships, having married Ryan Reynolds in 2008. All of the press and paparazzi meant that Johansson was rarely spotted without her bodyguards.
Heidi Klum
She was famous when she was only a runway supermodel, but when Heidi Klum made the transition to an entertainment personality, her star became even bigger. Now that she has a family and kids, she's willing to pay big for protection. A quarter of a million dollars per year big.
She's always traveling and always has a bodyguard in tow. One of the bodyguards she had for a long time was Martin Kirsten – someone she also had a brief relationship with. Once the news broke, both the relationship and the bodyguard's duty came to an end.
Kylie Minogue
Kylie Minogue is all about the best things in life, and that includes her bodyguard, who landed on the “Biggest Bodyguards” list on iHeartRadio. The pop star looks tiny next to her personal protection detail. The big man is nobody you want to mess with, and her team often gets into scuffles with photographers at airports and other public areas.
However, Minogue is often still willing to give out autographs and take photos with fans. Her net worth is north of a hundred million, but she shells out nearly two million dollars a year to stay safe. That's quite the pretty penny, but since she first became famous in the late nineties, Minogue no doubt is aware of how dangerous fame can be.
Cher
Cher was a famous singer in decades past, and she still has plenty of crazed fans who will do anything they can to get close to her. As such, she pays more than half a million dollars a year for her personal security. She even has a favorite bodyguard: Michael Francis. Fan pages for Cher often have appreciation posts for Francis and the other members of her squad.
Since she first became famous in the sixties, she's had her fair share of stalkers and other odd fan encounters, which means she's perfectly fine with shelling out for security that keeps her and her family safe.
Brad Pitt
As one of the most famous actors in the world, it would be more of a surprise if Brad Pitt DIDN'T have a bodyguard with him at all times. In fact, he has an entire team – and spends more than two million dollars a year on them.
One of his bodyguards, Billy Billingham, is a former S.A.S. Soldier. What does that mean? Don't even pretend to get in a fight with one of them – they very well might be the most highly-trained fighting force on the planet. Billingham also worked with Pitt's ex-wife, Angelina Jolie, and had nothing but good things to say about the couple.
Angelina Jolie
Along with her former husband Brad Pitt, Angelina Jolie has six children, meaning she has quite the need for safety while she's working as a famous actress.
A former bodyguard for the couple, Billy Billingham, has praised them for being so dedicated to their kids' safety. Apparently, Jolie was always concerned that someone would try and kidnap the children for ransom money. Jolie and Pitt have a combined worth of about a billion dollars, so it's a reasonable fear. Due to all of the attention they got during and after their relationship, Jolie still employs a team of security to make sure everyone is safe.
Amy Adams
While Adams keeps a relatively low profile when she isn't working, she has still starred in some big blockbuster hits like “Enchanted” and “Arrival.” Her security costs are rather modest compared to a lot of other actresses, even compared to her net worth of sixty million dollars. Of course, she still has her escort when she's on the red carpet, even though she doesn't need one around the clock.
Her private life is quite private, so she doesn't have a standing guard, meaning she'll often hire bodyguards for specific events on recommendations from other celebrities. It's not uncommon for her to step out with bodyguards who already appear on this list.
Drake
Drake might be rap's nice guy, but his bodyguards are anything but nice. Costing Drake more than three-hundred and fifty thousand dollars a year, the protection for this recording artist is physically menacing and aggressive, if the videos of them yelling at people are any indication.
The rapper is always hiring more people, and he boosted his protection after a melee at a nightclub, thanks to Chris Brown. Drake is one of the most famous rappers in the world, meaning there are plenty of people out there who want autographs, pictures, or a chance to deck Drake right in the mug. He pays big to make sure that the last group doesn't get close.
Queen Elizabeth
This member of our list should really come as no surprise. She was the most famous member of royalty that the world likely had, a head of state, and famous. As such, she paid about a hundred and forty million dollars a year in security – or the country of England did, at least.
She had a team of infantry called the Queen's Guard, which guarded not only her Royal Highness but also the different residences that the family utilizes. The rules have been in place since the seventeenth century. When she used to be at home, the Queen had three officers and forty soldiers protecting her – and, somehow, a man still snuck into her bedroom in 1982.
Geri Halliwell
Geri Halliwell – you might know her as Ginger Spice – looks positively puny next to her hulking bodyguard as they walk Geri's dog. This English singer-songwriter has had plenty of bodyguards over the years, but this one has been getting some press on the “hunky bodyguards” fan pages.
Geri isn't afraid to help out her bodyguards with a little bit of match-making, apparently. Triple M's Rob Palmer mentioned that Geri attempted to set him up with one of her bodyguards decades ago. While the connection never happened, it's nice seeing Geri trying to help out her bodyguards in that way.
Jack Nicholson
Jack Nicholson's bodyguards take everything seriously. One reporter, Kratovil Horn, approached Nicholson about an interview and was immediately pushed away. Horn stated that he had no hard feelings – the bodyguards were just doing their jobs. And for a mere ten thousand dollars a year, they're doing a pretty good job, too.
Nicholson might not be acting very much anymore, but he hasn't exactly slowed down. Now in his eighties, he has some of the biggest roles under his belt. According to one of the actor's relatives, Jack is at a hundred percent.
Kesha
While she might not be paying insane security fees like some of the other members of this list, Kesha is a famous singer that attracts a lot of attention, even if she isn't trying to. She might not be even close to the biggest name on this list, but she still pays around a hundred thousand a year for security help.
She hires bodyguards when she thinks she'll need them and isn't afraid to be seen with them, such as in the picture here. Kesha is known for treating her bodyguards like friends and is also known to have a rather down-to-Earth personality. If someone was in charge of keeping you from getting hurt, you'd probably appreciate them, too.
Fergie
It's no surprise this Black Eyed Peas singer has a bodyguard, but it might come as a surprise that he does more than protect her. Her bodyguard, Pascal, also works for Josh Duhamel.
The couple was taking a flight in 2011 when a fellow passenger started vomiting and having a seizure. Pascal jumped up and helped move the passenger into the aisle so a doctor could perform life-saving CPR. When Fergie got off the plane in Los Angeles, she hailed him as a hero. Surprisingly, Pascal's protection is fairly affordable, costing an estimated annual ten thousand dollars.
Katy Perry
Ever since 2008, when Perry released her first hit single, she's been an entertainment queen, going on to release dozens of hits, and get overshadowed at the Super Bowl Halftime Show by Left Shark. Her turn as a judge on American Idol made her even more famous, meaning anywhere this star goes, her bodyguard goes.
Her bodyguard, who is said to look like a young Hugh Jackman, has been with her for quite some time. It was thought that she would increase protection after the birth of her first child in 2020, but her long-term guard is sticking around too.
Prince Harry
Another member of the British royal family makes an appearance. Anyone in the family has some kind of target on their back for any number of reasons, so when Harry was still taking royal duties, he had a team of fifteen security guards that watched over him and his wife, Meghan.
Some of the guards lived in the same house as Harry and Meghan, while there were other buildings that housed the rest of the security. Now that the couple has moved on from being royalty, they use a Los Angeles firm that runs them around eight thousand dollars a day. They might not be destined for the throne, but they're still huge names on the international scale.
Meghan Markle
This famous name is a bit of an interesting case because her protection costs – a staggering twenty million dollars a year – are far more than her net worth, which is a mere ten mil. Of course, she's married to a member of the British royal family.
Even if they have stepped down from official duties, they still require a lot of security. Husband Harry isn't likely to sit on the throne, but the couple is still incredibly famous. They aren't the only members of the household with steep security fees – and it's likely to increase as their family grows.
Iggy Azalea
Once stars become parents, security becomes much more important. This recording artist has made more than one change since becoming a mom, including beefing her security team as high as six, for which she pays anywhere from five hundred to a thousand dollars a day.
She, or her protection, made the decision that she would no longer crowd surf at her concerts. She's explained that she keeps so many bodyguards with her, thanks in part to the “lurk tweets” she gets before a show. She didn't go into much detail on what those were, but they don't sound very nice.
Blake Lively and Ryan Reynolds
Rich and talented, this A-list couple knows the meaning of good security. Ryan Reynolds is one of the biggest movie stars on the planet right now, and wife Blake is no slouch in the acting department either. They now have kids, too, which means security costs have increased.
They've been spotted with numerous different bodyguards, but their security is always close behind. They have plenty of fans that want to get pictures or autographs, and paying hundreds of thousands of dollars a year for security is small against their combined net worth of over a hundred million.
Christina Aguilera
Aguilera has been famous since the early two-thousands, and her hit songs “Genie in a Bottle” and “Stronger” made her a big name in the pop scene. With a net worth of over a hundred a fifty million, she's willing to pay a million a year to make sure she stays safe when she's out and about.
The singer looks like a child next to her bodyguard, who was hired by Anthony Davis – he owns his own company and has worked with Aguilera in the past. When the singer is heading to fan-heavy award shows or other events of the kind, she has an entire team of bodyguards that keep her safe.
Lady Gaga
Peter Van Der Veen is one of the most popular celebrity bodyguards out there, and part of that is because of his stellar record watching over Lady Gaga. It didn't matter if she was just walking to the store or around the world for a concert, Lady Gaga always has security with her – and no surprise, too, given her amount of fame and riches.
Pete's bodyguarding abilities spread through word-of-mouth in the entertainment industry. His physical strength and stature are enough to keep over-eager paparazzi from getting too close to whoever he's guarding. However, his services cost a pretty penny – around a hundred thousand dollars a year.
Miley Cyrus
Miley Cyrus has had security working to protect her ever since she was just a lass, starring in “Hannah Montana.” She was born into fame thanks to her father, Billy Ray Cyrus, so growing up, it seemed like there were always fans around her.
When she became a big pop star in her own right, her need for security increased, and she now pays around a million dollars a year for protection. Thanks to her team, a stalker was arrested at the iHeartFestival in 2019. The stalker was spotted in the audience, and Miley's security immediately notified the authorities.
Floyd Mayweather
Why does this famous boxer need so much protection? Well, simply put, he's famous. But he's also known to be carrying at least $250,000 in cash on his person at all times. He takes his security seriously, paying three-quarters of a million dollars a year to keep himself and his loved ones safe.
This group of powerful people is called The Money Team (as captions on their shirts), and they have yearly salaries of $150,000 per year, as well as expensive cars and Rolex watches as part of their perks. Their jobs might be important, but that doesn't mean they can't enjoy it.
Jennifer Lawrence
Even when she starred in "The Hunger Games" all those years ago, she already had an Oscar nomination under her belt. Since then, she's had plenty of other famous roles and won an Oscar for her role in “Silver Linings Playbook.” She's now worth over $130 million, which means she can easily afford security.
Since Lawrence tends to keep to herself when she isn't playing the part of the star or doing marketing, she doesn't have as much of a need as some other stars, but she'll still happily pay the $125,000 per year salary if a bodyguard is needed.
Harry Styles
Harry Styles is a big Mick Jagger fan. He's such a big fan that he hired the Rolling Stones' member's bodyguard. It wasn't just a fan of classic rock that pushed him to do so, however. Following an incident in London in early 2020, Styles decided that some more personal protection would be a good idea – and now he's paying a million dollars a day.
The former One Direction member was stalked, and then shortly after, he was mugged. These back-to-back incidents brought about all that extra security. He's still out and about with friends, but his bodyguard is always close at his side.
Amber Rose
As a businesswoman and model, Amber Rose has legions of adoring fans on Instagram, Twitter, and Facebook. Since 2017 she's hired a full-time bodyguard for the cost of an estimated fifty thousand a year. Whenever she's out in public, you can bet that he's right behind her, always wearing a “MUVA” shirt, which is one of the names associated with her brand.
She contracted him full-time the day after someone broke into her home while she was asleep. Thankfully, Rose wasn't hurt, but she still decided that some protection was a good idea. With twelve million dollars behind her, fifty thousand dollars is a cost well worth it.
Daniel Radcliffe
Once his time at Hogwarts finished, Daniel Radcliff's life got a lot simpler. He's had a few movies here, a few strange shows there, but unlike his co-star Emma Watson, he never found larger widespread success. Thanks to his wise investments, however, he still has over a hundred million dollar net worth. He also has quite a number of crazed fans, thanks to all the time he spent as Harry Potter.
He doesn't have constant security, but if he thinks he needs some for a convention or other event, he contacts one of his guys. He's a little better at keeping a low profile than some of his co-stars.
Paris Hilton
Through her turbulent life, Paris Hilton has often needed help staying safe. Nowadays, as she is the head of a big business and a reality TV star, she has six bodyguards at her beck and call. She pays almost two-hundred thousand dollars a year for safety, but her peace of mind requires it.
She's referred to the group as her personal “Men in Black,” but Hilton doesn't want to just keep herself safe – she hired a team specifically to watch over her 22-caret engagement ring. That might seem crazy, but when you learn that the ring reportedly costs more than most houses, it becomes a little more understandable.
Britney Spears
Britney's relationship with fame has been up and down ever since she became one of the biggest pop stars in the world in the late nineties, and sometimes it doesn't work in her favor. She's been good for a few years now, but paparazzi still hound her, and there are still plenty of fans who would want a piece of Britney.
Even back in 2009, she was paying around four-hundred thousand a year for security. She's taken a step back from the limelight for some time, but she's still one of the most famous people in the world. Now with kids in the picture, she pays even more — about six hundred thousand a year.
Tom Hardy
Since his appearance in Christopher Nolan's "Inception," Tom Hardy has become a huge star. He was the boisterous bruiser Bane in “The Dark Knight Rises,” and his resume – and star appeal – are continuing to rise. It's a little surprising to hear that such a physically powerful man needs a bodyguard, but as this list shows us, it's just par for the course for most celebs.
Hardy and his bodyguard “Big John” are often spotted together. He's not the kind of sort you want to mess with – he often carries high-power flashlights to blind assailants, as well as a folding knife.
Adele
With a net worth of nearly two hundred million, Adele pays upwards of seventy-five grand a year for the protection of Pete Van Der Veen, whose resume includes being a former bodyguard to Lady Gaga. He started out at seventy-five thousand a year when she hired him in 2015, so likely it's higher than that now.
The man has a great rep as a bodyguard and is also familiar with the limelight in his own right – he won the Mr. Europe bodybuilding crown in 2005. Adele's shot into stardom necessitated some personal security, and her millions of dollars in net worth makes it easy to secure the help of this muscle man.
Gal Gadot
She played Wonder Woman, and she was part of the Israeli army, but this star still needs plenty of security. Though if she and Jason Momoa (as Aquaman) are spotted with their team, it looks like the movie heroes are doing the protecting.
Gadot pays up to ten thousand a day thanks to her incredibly fast rise to stardom. For the first "Wonder Woman" movie, she earned only three-hundred thousand, but her salary has since skyrocketed. We wouldn't be surprised if her security team increases just as fast.
Rihanna
Thanks to Rihanna's best-selling records, clothing line, and beauty line, she has plenty of cash to shell out for some strong guys that will help her feel safe. Whether she's touring the world or out at dinner with friends – or even if she needs to pick up some socks – you can bet she has some protection.
Her total costs for protection come in at around five-hundred thousand dollars a year, and it makes sense. Even if you don't love her music, there's a pretty good chance you know who Rihanna is. It's a lot of money, but it's nothing compared to R's over half a billion in net worth.
Jennifer Aniston
When she rose to fame as part of the cast of “Friends,” Jennifer Aniston was young, and since then, she's become one of the most prominent A-listers on the planet. To no one's surprise, she travels with her fair share of bodyguards.
Whenever Aniston is out, she's sure to be approached by fans, and she ends up spending at least $240,000 a year on bodyguards. That's a fair chunk, but with a three-hundred million net worth and tons of crazed fans, Aniston is willing to shell out. Her bodyguards are constantly changing, but she has been spotted with famous celebrity bodyguard “Sheldon,” who has plenty of experience getting famous names from one place to the next.
The Beckhams
With a combined net worth of one billion dollars, it should come as no surprise that this legendary celebrity couple has some muscle with them when they go out – costing them an estimated one million dollars a year.
Sometimes personal security just isn't enough, however. In 2014 they spent an additional million increasing the security on just one of their many properties, and in 2020 they installed guardhouses at one of their residences. The two have homes from Miami to Britain and have a huge real estate portfolio, which means protecting their assets is important to them.
Jennifer Lopez
As both a famous actress and a famous singer, Jennifer Lopez is a quick bet for someone that has around-the-clock protection. She's built up plenty of notoriety thanks to her riches, beauty, and famous relationships. She has an entire entourage of security with her at almost all times and pays out half a million dollars a year in order to stay safe. But don't worry about the costs: she could protect herself for nearly six hundred years at that price. She's worked hard to achieve everything she has, and now part of her normal life is having big, strong guys keep her safe when she's out in public.
She has an entire entourage of security with her at almost all times and pays out half a million dollars a year in order to stay safe. But don't worry about the costs: she could protect herself for nearly six hundred years at that price. She's worked hard to achieve everything she has, and now part of her normal life is having big, strong guys keep her safe when she's out in public.
Kim Kardashian
Little sister Kylie might be the faster-rising star at this point, but there's no denying Kim K needs her own security detail. She spends something like seven million dollars a year.
Sometimes even that amount isn't enough: She made headlines in 2018 when she was robbed, and she ended up suing her former bodyguard, Pascal Duvier (as well as his company) for more than six million dollars. The case was settled out of court, and Kim then made her security team even tougher. She has teams working around the clock to protect her and her four kids. Apparently, the reality TV star has had her fair share of fanatics trying to get close.
Michael Jackson
The King of Pop was beloved, but he still had plenty of protection when he was out and about. When he was at his peak, he had millions or even BILLIONS of fans, and thanks to his music, his shows, and his scandals, there was nobody in the world who didn't know of him. He always had a need for security.
He went through plenty of personal bodyguards during his time in the spotlight, and there was also plenty of security at his residences, including the infamous Neverland Ranch in California. When he was alive, he spent at least a million dollars a year, which included bodyguards, property security, and security when he was out or on-stage.
Cheryl Cole
From pop star to reality TV judge, Cheryl Cole is used to the spotlight. She has plenty of fans, adoring or otherwise, so she's hired a heavy security team to keep people who might pose a danger away. As Sharon Osbourne (and fellow X Factor judge) said, she needs bodyguards just to keep love-struck men away.
Her team keeps a low profile, but they still show up in pictures every once in a while. One of her former bodyguards, Craig Balkam, earned eighty-thousand a year, and Balkam's friend said that the bodyguard would have taken a bullet for the star. It's what he's being paid for.
Demi Lovato
Demi Lovato and their bodyguard Max are kind of famous when it comes to bodyguard-client relationships. They're always playing pranks on each other. Thanks to the “Lovatics,” as they call themselves, Demi needs a good amount of security. Max is their main man, but there are others, too, and Demi pays half a million dollars for the safety.
Max has defended the singer from criticism, saying that they're a wonderful person to work both with and for. He went on to say that Demi does everything they can to fans, friends, and family. Whether he's being totally truthful or likes the big payday, we don't know.
Barbra Streisand
Any person with their name on a Hollywood Walk of Fame will have a bodyguard, and Streisand is no exception. This actress has been in movies, on stage, and even featured in music, so spending $125,000 for protection a year comes as no surprise.
She's always gracious when meeting fans, but someone who has been in the biz for so long certainly understands the need for security. Despite being entertainment royalty, her security bill is somewhat low, simply because she isn't one of the hot young stars from recent years. Still, her muscle is always close-at-hand – even genuine fans can do some weird stuff if they have the chance.
Kate Middleton
She isn't just wife to the future King of England; she's the mother of the future king, too. Again she's a member of the royal family, and her security costs greatly exceed her own professional worth, which is a mere seven million dollars.
Her safety, and the safety of her husband and children, are a top priority for the nation, meaning about twenty million dollars are spent to keep them all safe. A bevy of bodyguards takes Kate from point A to point B. The full cost is picked up by the Crown.
Taylor Swift
Swift is one of the biggest musicians and celebrities on the planet and spends around four hundred thousand dollars a year on security. Thanks to her best-selling albums, constant media exposure, and her army of crazy fans, even such a high price seems like a steal.
She's been a constant figure of gossip sites and social media, but Swift has not one but TWO bodyguards that keep to her heels to make sure the star stays safe. This includes doing things like, as the picture shows us, sitting in the back of a roller coaster. Even if you don't like that, hundreds of thousands of dollars a year should make up for it.
Selena Gomez
Gomez's bodyguard isn't just her personal protector – the two are also clearly friends. She was invited to his wedding and was even asked to make a toast. The toast was a heartwarming speech about how clearly her bodyguard loved his new wife.
Gomez actually employs a team of bodyguards when she's out in public places, though the one, in particular, is her main guy. It's no surprise that so many of these celebrities end up getting close with their security detail. They're together a lot, and you pay them to keep you safe – being a jerk boss does you no favors.