Who actually has the best security in the world? Here
are the ten most protected people in the world.
#10. Jimmy Carter, Bill Clinton, George W. Bush, Barack Obama, and Donald Trump
It’s a five-way tie to kick things off, and it’s good to be the
(former) President. These five men ended their terms long ago - despite what one of
them may tell you - and they left the Secret Service behind when they went. At least,
most of it. All five are still entitled to protection under the Former President’s Act,
which guarantees them an annual pension as well as lifetime Secret Service protection.
This was once reduced to ten years, but restored back in 2012. Their spouses are also guaranteed
protection, as well as all their minor children up until sixteen years of age.
So why is this necessary?
Political enemies have a long memory - as anyone who’s dad is still ranting about
the Congressman who ignored his letters back in 1982 can testify. Presidential terms end,
but old grudges still fester, and it’s entirely possible that an enemy could come back years later
to take a shot at a former President they’re still angry at. Most famously, George HW Bush
was targeted by Iraqi terrorists not long after leaving office in a bomb plot - that might have
very well started the second Gulf War a decade early if it had been successful. So the Former
Presidents Act isn’t just good for the former men in charge - it protects America’s interests.
So what exactly do these former Presidents get?
That’s classified. The United States Secret Service isn’t in the business of giving away
its secrets, but the odds are each President’s detail is tailored to his needs. George W. Bush
has mostly stayed out of the public eye painting, so he might need a smaller detail around his home.
Barack Obama and Donald Trump, meanwhile, are known for their globetrotting activities - and the
former is even thinking of running again - so they might need larger and better-trained teams. As
for Jimmy Carter’s team, the odds are the Secret Service spends a lot of time watching nervously
under the ladder as the near-centenarian builds houses for Habitat for Humanity! The only way a
former President can lose their Secret Service protection? If they’re convicted of a crime and
removed from office, which might explain why Trump worked so hard to beat that second impeachment.
But not everyone who has top security is a politician.
#9. Mark Zuckerberg
The controversial head of Facebook - oops, we mean Meta - has come a long way since he
created the famous software site as a dating app back in college. And with more prominence
comes more enemies. He’s one of the richest men in the world right now, although his
net worth fluctuates wildly, and many people feel he and his site have way too much power.
He’s still digging his way out from the mountain of controversy over his site’s involvement in
disinformation in the 2016 election, and has been called before Congress to testify multiple times.
Do any of his enemies have more nefarious plans than tanking his stock value? No one knows.
But Zuckerberg isn’t taking any chances.
Zuckerberg’s 2021 security costs were a whopping 26.8 million dollars - one of the highest known
costs for a private individual anywhere. The Meta Chief is known to be paranoid,
and surrounds himself, his family, and his mansion with a team that resembles those that guard world
leaders. While most of the details are private - and the odds are he pays good money to keep
them that way - it’s reported that he has 24-7 bodyguard protection wherever he goes,
and his office is equipped with bulletproof glass and a panic button should he come under attack.
And there’s one other big expense.
When Mark Zuckerberg flies, he does it in style. A big chunk of his security costs is believed to be
private jets, allowing him to control exactly who’s around him in the skies at all times.
Not only is this a good way to ensure his safety, but it lets him dodge those pesky security lines
and makes sure he’s never accosted by a guy who has some really strong opinions
about being suspended on Facebook for sharing an offensive meme.
But like his fellow tech billionaires, his actual security measures are very
private - that is, unless he’s summoned to Congress to testify about those too.
Sometimes, it’s good to be the King.
#8. King Salman
In Saudi Arabia, King Salman rules - but he’s not the only one. The 87-year-old monarch hs
ceded many duties to Prince Mohammed Bin Salman, the next in line to rule the Kingdom - and the
36-year-old Prince has quickly become the controversial public face of the Kingdom.
The oil-rich nation is a regional power broker,
frequently being involved in key diplomatic summits and carving out billion-dollar
deals with countries around the world - especially in the current energy crunch.
The monarchy is strong - but it also deals with extreme threats from within and without.
So it’s no surprise they have a security force to match.
Get ready to meet the Saudi Arabian Royal Guard, the first of many military-like
units that protect the world’s leaders. While technically part of the Saudi military,
this group is permanently assigned to the Saudi Royal Family and answers directly to the King.
They not only protect the King and any of his guests, they can be assigned to important
guests to the Kingdom once they arrive - and they’re all trained in armed and unarmed combat,
and can take people by surprise due to their unassuming nature that makes
them look more like religious leaders than soldiers when guarding the King.
And they’re never allowed to lay down on the job.
The Saudi King and his heir are constantly on the lookout for potential threats,
including those coming from the Kingdom’s arch-rivals in Iran. Another regional
power known for aggressive international moves, they’re the most powerful Shia Muslim kingdom,
which makes them a natural rival to the Saudis’ Sunni power base. Additionally,
with dozens of princes jockeying for power in the complex Saudi royal family tree,
it’s entirely possible that Mohammed Bin Salman could face threats within the palace from an
ambitious rival. The Saudi Arabian Royal Guard is highly effective - and highly controversial due
to their black-ops tactics, including potentially the murder of journalist Jamal Khashoggi in 2018.
But how do they protect one of the most powerful people in the world?
#7. Xi Jinping
China is arguably one of the world’s only true superpowers today - and at the head
of the Chinese Communist Party is Xi Jinping, a skilled career politician
who has overseen massive economic and territorial expansion for China.
That’s made him many allies in the country - and many allies outward.
Today, he travels around the world to expand China’s power, and has also become well-known
for his battle against corruption in the mainland. Many of his policies,
including the harsh anti-Covid lockdowns in Shanghai and the country’s hard line
towards Taiwan, has made him one of the most controversial leaders in the world.
And China is used to protecting people like him.
Enter the Central Guard Regiment,
a powerful military force answering directly to the People’s Liberation Army.
Officially founded in 1942 and reformed and expanded in 1953, it answers directly
to the party chairman and has far-reaching influence. Not only does it have highly trained
soldiers who are ready to shoot to kill anyone threatening its leadership at a moment’s notice,
but its spy capabilities are among the best in the world. Whenever the Chairman goes anywhere,
the odds are the Central Guard Regiment will have people present there before
him - eyes and ears open and ready to move on any threat.
So how does it compare to other elite units?
There’s one key difference between the Central Guard Regiment and other national security
forces - it’s an instrument of the party rather than the person or office. So while protecting
the Chairman is a priority, its focus is just as heavily on protecting the country’s security. It’s
also highly secretive - as one would expect from a spy unit - and much less about its activities are
disclosed compared to its American counterpart. What is known is that it comes through the same
elite military training as all the country’s soldiers, and only the best wind up in it and
get close to the people in charge - which is why any enemies usually give them a wide berth.
Kings, Presidents, and Chairmen - are you ready to learn about the
security of the most powerful private citizen in the world?
#6. Elon Musk
Many of the biggest tech billionaires in the world don’t show off their security,
with men like Bill Gates and Jeff Bezos having only modest public security teams
and robust security at their home. But no one ever accused Elon Musk of being subtle.
The Tesla and SpaceX CEO is known for being an infamous media personality - feuding with Mark
Zuckerberg, trolling critics on Twitter - and currently attempting to buy the platform - and
even publicly mocking critical politicians like Bernie Sanders! That’s made him a lot
of enemies - and the current richest man in the world is taking no chances with them.
So what does his security team look like?
As a private citizen, Musk doesn’t have to disclose as much about his protection as
national leaders. But details have leaked out - and he seems to be taking a different approach
to other billionaires. Musk hands over much of his security concerns to his trusted point man,
Jared Birchall. An all-purpose fixer, Burchall is notoriously private except when deputized by
Musk to speak on his behalf. He scouts out locations for Musk, forms critical links,
and keeps his boss appraised of potential security teams - both physical and cyber.
Because we’re in a whole new world now, and the worst threats are often invisible.
Musk is known for taking private planes and traveling with a large entourage - many of
whom are probably trained soldiers. But in addition to the usual security measures,
he’s notorious for being extremely paranoid about his digital security. He reportedly changes his
cellular device regularly, at which point the previous phone is wiped of its data and physically
destroyed to keep any hackers from learning his trade secrets. Of course, that doesn’t help all
that much when you’re tweeting out your plans to the entire world! For the richest guy in the
world, Musk often plays it fast and loose - but maybe that’s just an indication that
he knows he doesn’t have anything to worry about because he has the best protection money can buy.
If keeping their charge alive for a long time is proof of success,
this next guard team has got to be the best of the best.
#5. Queen Elizabeth
God save the Queen - and apparently, the Queen’s Guard is doing their job.
Queen Elizabeth has reigned over the United Kingdom for seventy years - the longest term
of any British monarch in history, and while the British monarchy is largely a ceremonial role,
you don’t last that long in power without making some enemies.
At 96 years old, her protections will likely pass on to her heir apparent Prince Charles at
some point - and both Queen and Prince should feel like they’re in good hands, because the
Queen’s Guard is one of the most effective small bodyguard units in the entire world.
And they do it all wearing some pretty interesting hats!
This elite unit guards all the royal residences within the British Army’s London District,
with the most elite team guarding Buckingham Palace itself and other sites like St.
James Palace and Windsor Castle. Most people know them as the colorful guard that engages
in dramatic changing-of-the-guard ceremonies, but don’t be fooled into
thinking they’re just a quirky part of British life. No one gets into this unit
without being able to respond at a moment’s notice to any threat to the Queen’s life.
And despite the Queen’s beloved nature, she has faced threats - both domestically and abroad.
And when the Queen’s Guard has been tested, they’ve delivered.
Michael Fagan was a seemingly normal man, a blue-collar London chap who worked as a
painter. But he had one unusual obsession - he really wanted to see Buckingham Palace up-close
and personal. In June 1982, he successfully broke into the palace by shimmying up a drainpipe - and
proceeded to eat some snacks and tour the place before escaping. But his second visit would be
much more dramatic - he snuck into the Queen’s bedroom, and she awoke to find him at her bed.
He was arrested, and the Queen’s guard policies were revised to tighten security. And since then,
no one has gotten close to Her Royal Highness in the next forty years of her reign.
When it comes to this next team, you might think there was some divine providence at work.
#4. Pope Francis
Vatican City may be the smallest country in the world, but as the heart of the Roman
Catholic religion, it looms large in countless countries around the world. And at the center
of the Catholic city-state is Pope Francis - the leader of the church, beloved by some
for his humanitarian views, loathed by others for his progressive takes on Church doctrine.
At 86 years old, rumors persist that he may be able to follow his predecessor and resign the
papacy while still alive - but until then, he’ll be well-protected by the elite unit
known as the Swiss Guard, the small armed force that has been protecting the Pope since 1506.
Why Swiss? It comes back to a 15th-century alliance with the Swiss Confederacy,
and Switzerland’s long history of neutrality in larger conflicts. This keeps the fate of the Pope
away from geopolitics and in the hands of a stable ally. Every member of the unit, numbering 135 men,
is an unmarried Swiss adult male under thirty years old who has been trained by the Swiss
Armed Forces. Typically, they used traditional weapons and were more a ceremonial role that
rarely saw combat - but one incident in 1981 drove home that they needed to be on guard at all times.
Who would try to kill a Pope?
A Turkish radical affiliated with a fringe far-right movement,
Mehmet Ali Agca, snuck into St. Peter’s Square in Vatican City
and successfully shot Pope John Paul II four times - nearly killing him.
The Pope recovered, and he would later ask for the assassin to be pardoned and released,
but it drove home that the Pope needed even better protection. The Swiss Guard
was given advanced training in modern weapons, turning them into less of a ceremonial army and
more of an elite guard akin to the Secret Service. It also led to increased use of
the famous Popemobile - a vehicle covered in bulletproof glass for the Pope to travel in.
It’s one of the most famous vehicles in the world aside from the President’s famous car,
and no potential threats have gotten close to the Catholic leader since.
The more enemies you have, the better protection you want - to extreme levels.
#3. Kim Jong-Un
The third member of the Kim Dynasty that rules North Korea,
Kim Jong-Un is feared around the world - for his aggressive moves
like assassinating dissidents living in other countries, and his nuclear program.
Inside the country, North Korea is one of the most strictly ruled countries in the world,
with citizens’ every moves being carefully regulated. And the North Korean dictator
has to worry about power-hungry insiders in his own administration targeting him,
as well as dissidents with nothing to lose trying to end the dynasty in a bloody fashion.
So it’s no surprise that when it comes to his security, he doesn’t take any chances.
And like everything else in North Korea, if Kim wants you in a role,
you don’t have much of a choice.
Conscription is near-universal in North Korea, so almost everyone has elite military training
and the military can judge their skills. And if they deem someone to be the best of the best,
they might be chosen to be part of the Supreme Guard Command. This is a great honor - as well
as a costly one, because those chosen to be in Kim Jong-Un’s inner circle and protect him
are expected to cut off all ties to their former life. They say goodbye to their families,
move to the Capital city of Pyongyang, and never see their families again.
That leaves the Supreme Guard Command to feel less like a collection of
bodyguards - and more like a secret society only answerable to one man.
And Kim Jong-Un has other methods to preserve his safety.
All recruits to the Supreme Guard Command have to meet certain physical characteristics,
including no facial scars and a normally proportioned body. Looking a certain way can
also get you in - because Kim Jong-Un frequently employs body doubles who are expected to lure
assassins out of the way and take a bullet if need be. While no one knows the exact numbers of North
Korea’s personal bodyguard military, it’s believed to be one of the largest in the world - with the
total unit having over a hundred thousand people consisting of bodyguards, combat brigades, spies,
and even a construction battalion. And it’s done its job to keep Kim Jong-Un alive so far.
But no one has a larger and more high-tech construction force than one man.
#2. Joe Biden
Hail to the Chief! Joe Biden is the current President of the United States, and that means he
inherits all of the President’s perks - including the massive infrastructure of the Secret Service.
Every President has one of the world’s best security teams - although it wasn’t always
this way. Presidents used to have a fairly modest security detail and just wandered around
meeting the people - until four Presidents were assassinated in less than a century,
and it was decided they needed to be a lot more careful. Operating under the Department
of Homeland Security, the Secret Service consists of at least seven thousand employees,
sixteen facilities around the country, and an annual budget of over two billion dollars.
And they do a lot more than just guard the President.
The Secret Service has an elite team of bodyguards who are trained in armed and unarmed combat,
and can deter any threat to the President. They’ve disarmed assassins, fended off infiltrators
to the White House and other Presidential residences, and stopped terror attacks abroad.
But their secret weapon isn’t their weapons - it’s their reconnaissance team. Before the
President arrives in any location, the odds are the Secret Service will be there first - scouting
the location, meeting with local security teams, and combing the area for any potential threats.
They’re even known for showing up at the door of any internet troll who made a casual threat
against the President. After all, they don’t know if that one guy who is really,
really angry about ferret import laws is just a harmless troll - but they’re going to find out.
And there’s one other area where Joe Biden has the edge over so many other world leaders - the tech.
When the President flies, he flies in style - on Air Force One, one of the
most secure and technologically advanced planes in the world.
These heavily customized military airplanes are only staffed by the most
vetted individuals and feature amenities anyone flying coach would kill for! And it’s
not just the planes - even the President’s car is one-of-a-kind. Get ready to meet the Beast.
This car is heavily fortified, bulletproof, with escape hatches and hiding places if it’s attacked.
And it’s only driven by the most skilled drivers in the world - those who can escape
from the tightest situations and keep the most important man in America alive.
A lot of changes have been made since the Kennedy assassination - and they seem to have worked.
But one man may be even more closely guarded.
#1. Vladimir Putin
Vladimir Putin was already one of the most feared men in the world - and that
was before the war began. Known for his fierce and ruthless tactics against enemies of Russia,
as well as his fast response to anyone he viewed as a threat, the President of Russia has held onto
power for almost twenty years now - and shows no indication of giving it up any time soon.
A former KGB agent himself, Putin grew up in the Soviet security state,
and knows how far their reach extends. To protect himself, he takes no chances - and has built
a complex system of internal and external systems to keep himself safe from enemies.
And the odds are, you won’t know about them until it’s too late.
When it comes to his personal security, Putin is frequently surrounded by an elite team of
bodyguards with the best tools money can buy. Their briefcases are bulletproof, their weapons
are military-grade, and they surround him at all times when he’s in public. But when he’s
not in public, he’s not any less cautious. He goes old-school when it comes to ensuring no enemies
can get to him - even employing traditional food tasters to make sure no one can poison him,
and keeping his advisors at least twenty feet away from him when at the meeting table.
This is supposedly to protect him from Covid - but it also keeps him out of stabbing range.
And many of his enemies never know he’s after them until his team has already struck.
The full extent of Putin’s security isn’t known - much like other dictators around the world,
he keeps his information close to his chest. What is known is that he employs a complex
network of spies that strikes at anyone considered a threat - whether they’re within Russia’s borders
or not. In recent years, several of Putin’s harshest critics and members of his inner
circle who defected have found themselves assassinated with radioactive compounds.
And ever since the war in Ukraine began, his paranoia has only grown.
Rarely seen in public, always surrounded by his security team, getting to Vladimir Putin
is more like breaking into a fortress. And that’s exactly how he likes it.
Want to know more about one of the most secure vehicles in the world?
Check out “Secret Features of the Beast (Presidential Car)”
or watch “Why Did Abraham Lincoln’s Secret Service Fail” for what happens when it goes very wrong.