From political ruin to fabulous riches in 5 years
JUST five years ago Nick Clegg’s career appeared to be in ruins.
The one-time Deputy Prime Minister and ardent Europhile had gone from leading his party into annihilation in the 2015 election to, one year later, watching as the country voted to back Brexit.
The 55-year-old’s personal political nadir came in 2017 when he lost his Commons seat of Sheffield Hallam to a little-known Labour challenger in the general election.
But half a decade later, Sir Nick’s fortunes stand transformed.
As de facto No2 to Meta boss Mark Zuckerberg, he has arguably far more influence and power than he ever wielded as deputy PM to David Cameron in the 2010-15 Coalition government. His personal financial prospects have also changed out of all recognition.
Sir Nick’s combined salary as an MP and Deputy PM was £134,565.
But when he joined Facebook, his annual income reportedly rocketed to £2.7million – a figure that may now be nearly £15m after his most recent promotion to global president of global affairs at Meta.
That allows him and his wife, Miriam González Durántez, 53, to live in considerable luxury. The couple are residents of Atherton, a Silicon Valley town with ‘the most expensive postcode in America’.
Their home is a £7million two-storey faux Queen Anne house in grounds of an acre, which was described by estate agents as a ‘jewel’ with ‘luxurious amenities’.
It has five bedrooms, six bathrooms, a large kitchen, a library and a dining room that seats 16. Sir
Nick and Lady Clegg, who have three sons, also have a pool, outdoor hot tub and patio fireplace.
They have taken up kayaking and hiking, with Sir Nick throwing himself into the Silicon Valley lifestyle.