Edward Snowden Net Worth (2022)

Introduction

Edward Snowden is an American whistleblower widely known for copying and leaking some highly confidential information from the National Security Agency (NSA). Edward worked as a central intelligence agency employer and subcontractor at the NSA when he noticed some suspicious global surveillance program run by the agency and decided to leak them. 

Previously, in 2004, Edward joined the United States Army. However, he got discharged due to an injury. After that, he started working at the University of Maryland’s Center for Advanced Study of Language as a security guard. He has also served in Geneva, Switzerland, where he worked as a maintenance in charge of computer network security. His net worth is $500 thousand.

Private Life, Education & Family

Edward Snowden was born on 21st June 1983 in Elizabeth City, North California. His father, Loonie, was a former officer at the coast guard, while his mother, Elizabeth, works as a clerk in the US district in Maryland. His parents, Loonie and Elizabeth, had a divorce in 2011, after which his father remarried. For some years, his grandfather served at the SBI. He was an intelligent student in the school with an IQ of over 140. While Andrew was in high school, he suffered from a Mononucleosis disease, due to which he dropped school and didn’t return until nine months. Instead of rejoining the school, he decided to opt for an online degree at the University of Liverpool.

His deep inclinations towards language made him opt for a Japanese language course at some point. While he was 20 years old, he filled Buddhism as his religion during the form filling for military recruitment. During the 2008’s presidential election, even after having some sympathies for Obama, he supported the third-party candidate. During that time, he strongly opposed George W. Bush. 

While Andrew was in America, he met Lindsay Mills, and they started dating each other. After exposing the surveillance activity of the NSA, he felt a deep urge to maintain her safety and hence, broke up with her. Then he moved to Russia, where Lindsay joined him. Since then, the couple has lived happily without any disturbance. In 2015, Mills visited the Oscar award ceremony, where Poitras accepted the award for Citizenfour.

Career

Andrew began his career in 2004 when he served at the United States Army. However, he got discharged soon following an injury. In 2006, he worked as an IT professional at the Central Intelligence Agency (CIA). After that, he started working at the University of Maryland’s Center for Advanced Study of Language as a security guard. He has also served in Geneva, Switzerland, where he worked as a maintenance in charge of computer network security. His net worth is $500 thousand.

Whistleblowing

In 2009, Andrew joined the National security agency (NSA) and worked as a private contractor for Dell and Booz Allen Hamilton. Soon after joining, Andrew came across some corrupt activities taking place in the NSA. By the year 2013, he copied and leaked confidential information regarding NSA’s activities to the world. Andrew took the help of a journalist from the guardian to leak the surveillance program of NSA along with the details about the five eyes intelligence alliance, which was performed in partnership with the European Government and Telecommunication company. He also scheduled a meeting with the documentary filmmaker named Laura Poitras. 

The information leaked by Andrew was presented on ‘The Guardian in June 2013, where the world came to know about the corrupt activity of the NSA. The news stated that the American’s phones were on surveillance. Moreover, their confidential data was also being accessed without their knowledge. The world was shaken with the news, as Andrew said he wouldn’t exploit the general public’s privacy. He took a stand against the infringement of the basic human rights to be free. 

However, the US government replied by putting charges on Snowden to commit theft of government properties and illegal communication of intelligence information to an unauthorized person under the Espionage Act. Instead of all the charges, the American citizens considered him a national hero and came up with a petition to free him of all charges. However, the American government refused to accept appeals of clemency. 

After exposing the NSA, Andrew ran to Russia. He credits WikiLeaks to help him doing so. After releasing documents, Andrew was protected by Russia and lived there permanently along with his wife, Lindsay Mills. According to Andrew, he never wanted to stay in Russia permanently because the US government wanted to show him a Russian spy instead of a whistleblower. It was the reason why the government cancelled his passport. 

In 2013, he cleared the air of having the NSA documents with him anymore. He further stated that he had given all the information to the journalist in Hong Kong. The US government lost billions of dollars following the leak, making Andrew the most controversial figure in America. During the year 2014, the filmmaker Poitras made a documentary film named ‘Citizenfour’ on the life of Snowden. This film received substantial critical acclaim and eventually became an Oscar-winning documentary.

Awards and Achievements

• Sam Adams award in 2013
• Right Livelihood award in 2014
• Stuttgart Peace award in 2014

Net Worth

Edward Snowden receives most of his wealth from the whistleblowing career. Although, he does not have any educational degree since he earns a lot of money from his media appearances. The total estimated amount that Edwards earns from his media appearances stands at $200,000. There isn’t any exact information on the earning from his present work.

Famous Quotes by Edward Snowden

“Even if you’re not doing anything wrong, you are being watched and recorded.”― Edward Snowden

“I would rather be without a state than without a voice.”― Edward Snowden

“Arguing that you don’t care about the right to privacy because you have nothing to hide is no different than saying you don’t care about free speech because you have nothing to say.”― Edward Snowden

“I have no regrets.”― Edward Snowden

“I understand that I will be made to suffer for my actions.”― Edward Snowden

“I have no intention of hiding who I am because I know I have done nothing wrong.”― Edward Snowden

As of 2022, Edward Snowden’s net worth is $500 thousand.