Found this highly amusing (and informative) breakdown on the financial life of Nathan Petrelli of Heroes.
Fictional Finances: Nathan Petrelli of “Heroes” March 30th, 2009 10:14 am
Nathan Petrelli may have a lot of issues, personal and public, but money is not one of them. Nathan Petrelli, of “Heroes,” was born in the lap of luxury. He is a complex man with fine taste and a string of women and financial obligations from his past. He tries to do what he thinks is right, and his family money has enabled him to do so.
Public Service
As a lawyer, Nathan Petrelli was able to fill his deep need to deliver justice and make the world a better place. As a
prosecuting attorney, he potentially earned about 25 percent less than he could have as a private practice attorney. He could have earned $125,000 or $140,000 as a
patent prosecutor, protecting The Company’s formula. Neither of those would have been the right stepping stone for public office.
Nathan Petrelli has been able to follow a carefully constructed education and career path, from military service to public service, with an eye on the White House. Unlike the average person, he was never concerned with how to pay for college and law school. He probably used his parent’s credit cards to live a high-flying lifestyle while in college.
Family and Child Support
A man like Nathan Petrelli, who comes from a moneyed family, never seems to fret about the cost of anything, despite the fact that he has been the subject of blackmail.
The departure of Petrelli’s once-disabled wife and his two children has only been implied. Based solely on Nathan Petrelli’s salary as a U.S. Senator, he could be paying, at minimum a
monthly child support of $3,646. The amount could be even higher if his net worth was included and higher still if he was paying alimony.
New York to Washington, D.C.
By moving from New York City to Washington, D.C., to assume his place in Congress, with a
$174,000 annual salary, the current salary for a Senator, Nathan Petrelli actually increased his spending power. His disposable income increased to $4,784 with the move, according to
Salary.com.
Add to that an additional salary of
$100,000 for his Director of Homeland Security position, and Nathan would certainly not be struggling to meet expenses. While Nathan Petrelli would probably be happy to work in this position without being paid, because the power might be compensation enough, he still has spiffy bachelor lifestyle to maintain.
Charge It! His Martin Dingman wallet (retail price $395) is stocked with
platinum credit cards with no limits, which he needs for his lifestyle. This increase in disposable income will help keep Nathan Petrelli happy in his indulgences: fine clothing, fine women and exquisite hotel rooms for trysts.
He also needs to stay in style new suits and his closets are most likely stocked with the latest
Bottega Veneta ($3,800), Canali ($4,200) and Giorgio Armani ($3,595) suits. Nathan Petrelli does not seem like a cash sort of guy, as all those bills could way him down when he needs to fly. A quick swipe of his credit card, and he can walk out with a month’s worth of new suits.
Nathan Petrelli’s Retirement
If Nathan Petrelli is lucky enough to escape fate and actually live long enough to retire, he won’t have to worry much about his daily living expenses. He can continue to travel at will, wearing down the strips on his credit cards. With a substantial inheritance and government retirement pension (
$35,952 to $60,972) he will be more than comfortable. Nathan should receive at least some retirement money from his time in the Navy, which will be the smallest portion of his expected retirement nest egg.
The Petrelli fortune has allowed Nathan to live the life he has without much concern for how his bills and credit cards get paid on time each month.
Pam Gaulin