While some politicians cling to power as long as they can, others realize that life in public service is not quite what they imagined it to be. In some cases, they simply retire, while in others they devote themselves to another calling, writes the "Politiko" portal.
Olivier Veran, former French government spokesman and former health minister, recently announced his next career venture at the Champs-Élysées Clinic in Paris. For Veran, who was a neurologist before turning to politics, the return to medicine is not too surprising. What was shocking and caused an uproar in the medical community - was his decision to join a high-ranking clinic specializing in cosmetic medicine and surgery. Veran, defending his decision, said that he will not perform aesthetic surgical procedures, but will focus on aesthetic medicine. "I won't touch penises or buttocks, and I won't do breast implants either," he promised. That didn't stop "Le Point" magazine from calling him "Doctor Botox".
Former British Deputy Prime Minister Nick Clegg found refuge, and big profits, in Silicon Valley. As Meta's president of global affairs, he manages its relations with governments, a thankless task in an era when Facebook has become synonymous with political disinformation, according to Politico. "The Guardian" in 2021 called him a "scapegoat" for the company's problems. At least he earned enough money to buy more luxury houses, according to the portal.
France's former economy minister, the socialist Arnaud Montebourg, was creative in finding a career after politics. After resigning in 2014 and failing to win the Socialist nomination for the 2017 presidential election, Montebourg turned to... honey. In 2018, he founded "Bleu, Blanc, Ruche" ("Blue, white, beehive"), a company that produces and sells honey of one hundred percent French origin while focusing on bee repopulation. In 2021, Montebourg won the environmental award at the "Made in France" exhibition.
Jack of all trades
Sana Marin was the world's youngest prime minister when she reached the top of Finnish politics in 2019 at the age of 34. After the defeat in the 2023 elections and her exit from politics, she is "blooming roses" in business. Marin joined former British Prime Minister Tony Blair's Institute for Global Change in London, and recently signed with an American entertainment and talent agency to explore opportunities in television and film.
Welcome to Hollywood
Former US President Barak Obama rakes in money thanks to lucrative speaking engagements that bring in fees of up to 370.000 euros per speech, according to "Politiko". He signed a multi-million contract for the memoir "A Promised Land", which became an international bestseller. He and his wife, former first lady Michelle Obama, also founded a film production company in 2018, which produces content for Netflix, and a podcast in an exclusive partnership with Spotify. According to "Politika," these ventures allowed the married couple to live very comfortably - especially considering that Obama already receives an annual pension of 200.000 euros that is awarded to former presidents. However, Obama has come under fire for exorbitant speaking fees from political allies and opponents alike. Senator Bernie Sanders said, "It just doesn't look good."
Russian oil guru
Former Chancellor Gerhard Schroeder, once praised for refusing to join the United States in the Iraq war and for reducing unemployment in Germany, later made millions promoting Russian energy interests. He has had a close relationship with Vladimir Putin for years, and the Russian leader even invited Schroeder on a sleigh ride through Russian forests on Orthodox Christmas in 2001. So it was no surprise when Schroeder joined the board of shareholders of Russian-controlled Nord Stream, reportedly earning around €250.000 a year. From 2017, he chaired the board of the Russian oil company Rosneft until stepping down in May 2022 after Russia launched an all-out invasion of Ukraine.
Lobbyist Kurz
Once a rising star in conservative Europe, Sebastian Kurz became Austria's youngest chancellor in 2017 at the age of 31. His four years in office have been marred by scandals and allegations of corruption, and he now works as a lobbyist for US tech billionaire Peter Thiel - the co-founder of PayPal and a former supporter of former US President Donald Trump - reportedly earning 300.000 a year. Kurtz also founded a startup with Shalev Hulia, the Israeli inventor of the controversial "Pegasus" spyware. Kurz was found guilty of perjury in February, damaging his chances of returning to politics. "Politiko" points out that he may not be too interested in the old call, given the negative consequences it could have on his more lucrative projects.
A higher calling
The story of former British minister Jonathan Aitkin is the exact opposite when it comes to earnings. His political career came to an abrupt end when he was jailed for perjury in 1999 after his defamation case against The Guardian failed. However, during those seven months behind bars, Aitkin joined a prayer group founded by an Irish burglar, became a Christian and found his calling: God. After his release from prison, Aitkin graduated from Oxford University with a degree in theology. And in 2018, he became a deacon and eventually a prison chaplain.
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