Nicole Shanahan, 39, has a life story that could be mistaken for a television series: modeling stints in China, tech ventures in Silicon Valley, marriage to Google co-founder Sergey Brin, a fling with Elon Musk, a billion-dollar divorce, and a recent role as a campaign partner for independent candidate Robert F. Kennedy Jr.
Now, she’s working her way into Donald Trump’s camp, advising him on health policy.
From Tech Entrepreneur to Trump Advisor
Shanahan, well-connected among Silicon Valley’s elite, has rebranded herself as a “defensive mom” committed to mobilizing voters—especially women who feel disenchanted with the political establishment. Her mission with Trump? Promote alternative health solutions and bring a new focus on wellness to the national stage.
Controversial Health Views
Some of Shanahan’s views have stirred controversy. She claims that her five-year-old daughter, Echo, developed autism due to childhood vaccinations. Now producing campaign videos for Trump, she takes aim at the Democratic party, whom she previously supported, accusing them of “endless wars,” “Orwellian totalitarianism,” and “communist tax policies.”
From Struggling Childhood to the Elite Circles of Power
Shanahan’s rise from modest beginnings was recently profiled by The Washington Post. Growing up in Oakland, California, as the daughter of Chinese immigrants, she learned the value of hard work early, clearing tables at age 12 to help support her family. After working as a legal assistant and model in Shanghai, she launched a tech company in Silicon Valley, though her venture was short-lived. In 2014, she married investor Jeremy Kranz.
A High-Profile Romance with Sergey Brin
Before her marriage to Kranz, Shanahan had met Google co-founder Sergey Brin at a yoga festival in Lake Tahoe. Sparks flew; she was 28, he was 40. Brin courted her with expensive gifts and art, taking her to the famous Burning Man festival. Her marriage to Kranz quickly ended with an annulment after just 27 days.
Power and Influence in Silicon Valley
As her relationship with Brin intensified, it created a rift between Brin and his Google co-founder, Larry Page. Insiders say that Page disapproved of Brin’s romantic entanglements, leading to tensions that would strain their friendship and business partnership.
Shanahan’s influence extended into Brin’s family as well. She convinced Brin to halt payments for a relative’s psychiatric treatment, suggesting kickboxing as a therapeutic alternative. Shanahan was also a regular at elite tech parties, where she experimented with cocaine, ketamine, and psychedelics.
Marriage, Betrayal, and a Billion-Dollar Divorce
In 2018, Shanahan married Brin, who is now among the world’s wealthiest individuals with a net worth of around $140 billion. They had a daughter together, but their marriage was troubled. In 2021, Brin discovered her alleged affair with close friend and fellow tech billionaire Elon Musk. In response, Brin reportedly sold $366 million in Tesla stock, ending another high-profile friendship.
The couple divorced in 2023, with Shanahan leaving the marriage with an estimated billion-dollar fortune. She used her divorce settlement to fund Robert F. Kennedy Jr.’s campaign as his running mate, a brief but notable political venture.
A Possible Future in Washington
Now, Shanahan’s political trajectory has led her to Trump’s circle, with speculation that she could be considered for a cabinet or advisory role if he wins the presidency. For Shanahan, it’s yet another chapter in a life that’s as captivating as a blockbuster drama.
