Elite female bodyguards reveal the fascinating secrets of protecting A
Three top security professionals gave insights on the grueling details of their intense work, and revealed their massive paydays.
Amber Haddock, a protective agent who has built a following posting safety tips online, told The New York Times her first executive protection assignment was a three-month stint with a 17-year-old Middle Eastern princess.
Her contract then turned into a two-year long gig where she lived with the teen in Washington, DC, under the guise she was the girls host mother, driving her around to classes and parties and even traveling abroad.
Haddock has spent the bulk of her career working for royal Middle Eastern families and said when she started in the industry 15 years ago, 'that was the only job back then, for female agents.'
Now, as more women take over leadership positions and top jobs, she said there has been an increase in demand for female protective agents.
Amber Haddock (pictured), a protective agent who has built a following posting safety tips online, worked for a Middle Eastern princess under the guise she was the teens host mom
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Miranda Coppoolse (pictured), founder of MC Global Security Consulting, said: 'Close protection is not so much about weapons'
She told The Times being a security professional is not just about carrying a weapon, it's about planning ahead and being prepared for any emergency that may pop-up.
'We don't exist and then, when we do exist, stuff has already hit the fan and we are evacuating the client,' Haddock said.
'What if you were in Hawaii and the fire started with your client? Do you know where you would take them?'
Miranda Coppoolse, founder of MC Global Security Consulting, said: 'Close protection is not so much about weapons.
'I think EP is really about giving the sense of safety, most of all, to that client. And you can only do that when you're confident.'
Coppoolse, who lives in the Netherlands, has spent considerable time in countries around the world and gained a broad understanding of numerous languages and cultures throughout her career.
'It's an exciting life. It's also an exhausting life, because you have to be always alert,' she said.
Monica Duperon Rodriguez, a security professional with over 30 years of related experience, said the most interesting places her work has taken her is to the Serengeti and Mauritania.
According to her website, Rodriguez has provided executive protection to multiple ultra-high-net-worth individuals families in the US, Dubai, Abu Dhabi and Saudi Arabia.
Monica Duperon Rodriguez (pictured), a security professional, said the most interesting places her work has taken her is to the Serengeti and Mauritania
Rodriguez (center left) has provided executive protection to multiple ultra-high-net-worth individuals families in the U.S., Dubai, Abu Dhabi and Saudi Arabia
She has performed protective services in throughout the US, Mexico, South America, Europe, and 25 African Countries.
'We have to learn how to be somewhat of a chameleon,' Rodriguez said.
'For me, education is extremely important. How you get it — that's an entirely different thing. College is not always the answer, but education is paramount to personal growth and to really being able to identify potential opportunities.'
Rodriguez told The Times while working law enforcement she was making around $42,000 annually; in executive protection, she has made as much as $200,000 a year.
Haddock said: 'I don't get out of bed for less than $1,000 a day.'