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> then spend 10 years of their life working with startups and have nothing at the end

How do they avoid starving to death after the first few days?

I imagine they spend money to consume food... after which, both food and money are gone.

What money? I thought there was no reason to be a VC?

Or do they get paid? Is it a lot?

Yes. There is a lot of money to be made in VC. Look at "exit strategy" for more info.