Larry Page, the reclusive billionaire and co-founder of Google, has been out of the company for more than a year.

Sources say he was hiding in the Fiji islands, cut off from most travelers during the pandemic.

While Fiji was battling a second wave of coronavirus cases, on June 19, the Fijian Broadcasting Company News reported that Larry Page had donated medical supplies to the country via his private plane, to fight the coronavirus. Corona.

A few days later, the story vanished, and Fiji's health authorities asked the network to remove the article, saying the information should not be made public, said a person familiar with the matter, who requested anonymity.

The story said the supplies, including face masks and gloves, were sent on the private plane, which flew from Hawaii to Fiji International Airport.

A photo of the plane, taken shortly before the story was published, was posted on social media.

Insider verified the registration number in the FCC's database, which showed that it is licensed to Blue City Holdings, which operates a fleet for Big and his Google partner Sergey Brin, CEO. Ex: Eric Schmidt.

Mystery surrounded the location and activities of the Google founder mostly, and although he and Brin moved away from Google in late 2019, they have the final say in decisions, through private voting shares and their great influence in one of the most powerful technology companies in the world.

It's "certainly unusual, and not a good corporate governance approach," said Neil Mino, vice president of Value Edge Advisors. ) at the door and disappears."

Fiji has always been a known haven for the rich and famous, Prince Harry and his wife were spotted there (Reuters)

Big's relationship with Fiji

Big's relationship with Fiji is much deeper than donations. Sources who saw him there said the billionaire spent months in the country during the pandemic, and two people who saw him there last year said he resided mainly on Tavarua Island, which lies west of the mainland.

It also appeared nearby in "Younger Namoto" - an area on the island - and there is speculation among locals that Big bought an island in the archipelago.

Fiji has many features that appeal to the privacy craving big.

The country closed its borders to travelers during the epidemic, but last summer it launched the "Blue Lane" initiative, allowing owners of luxury yachts and private planes to enter as long as they adhere to quarantine rules.

Two people who spoke to Insider said Beg had come to Fiji with his family and entourage, and had spent "an extended period" in the country during the pandemic.

One person explained that Beg spent months in Fiji during the summer of 2020, and has returned at least once since then.

Another source from the startup world said Begg is interested in the area and has held meetings on a big yacht there in the past.

Fiji - which prides itself on secrecy and privacy - has always been a destination for the rich and famous, as Prince Harry and his wife Megan Markle were seen there, and Mel Gibson owns Mago Island in Fiji.

"Many high net worth individuals have used Fiji as a place to have fun during the pandemic," said Michael Lewis, director of private pool development (Fonabaca).

This makes Fiji an ideal location for Big, who has been out of sight since his departure from Google, but still talks with CEO Sundar Pichai and participates through board meetings, but otherwise focuses on his personal projects.

Earlier this year, rumors began swirling about Fiji, and that Big had bought at least one island in the country's Mamanuca archipelago, but the Fiji Tourism Board and Land Ownership Administration rejected multiple requests from Insider for access Information on the ownership of the islands, indicating the owners' right to privacy.

Travel restrictions due to the emerging coronavirus "Covid-19" have hurt Fiji's economy, so the government has relaxed some access laws for the wealthy, to try to attract more spending and investment.

And sailor Lorenzo Cipriani wrote - in a blog on August 4, 2020 - about a trip he made to the region, saying that "luxury yachts are welcome with open arms, and access procedures are easier, and sailing boats like our boats are not welcome," and added, "The government is promoting a campaign It welcomes those who have a lot of money to spend and are waiting for hundreds of luxury yachts to arrive."

And he continues, "For example, Larry Page (founder of Google) bought the island (Namoto), and arrived there by private plane to spend 3 months on vacation with 30 of his employees.

"While there are rich people in Fiji, some local suppliers and tourism service agencies serve them," Cipriani concludes.