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America’s 10 Richest Presidents, Wealthiest U.S. Presidents of All Time - Thomas Jefferson was worth $212M in today's dollars, but one Founding Father was worth over twice that. President Obama is not one of the wealthiest presidents of all times. Yet his net worth increased from $5 million in 2010 to an estimated $7 million, primarily from his book sales.
If Bill Clinton is any indication, Obama can expect to make much more money in speaking engagements once he exits office in 2017. The net worth of the presidents varies widely. George Washington amassed over half a billion in today’s dollars, while other presidents went bankrupt. The fortunes of America’s presidents are often tied to the economy of their time. Over time, as the focus of the economy has changed, so has the way the presidents made their money. Here is complete list of the 10 richest & wealthiest U.S. presidents.
1. George Washington
Net worth: $525 million
In office: 1789 to 1797
1st president
His Virginia plantation, Mount Vernon, consisted of five separate farms on 8,000 acres of prime farmland, run by more than 300 slaves. His wife, Martha Washington, inherited significant property from her father. Washington made well more than subsequent presidents: his salary was 2% of the total U.S. budget in 1789.
2. Thomas Jefferson
Net worth: $212 million
In office: 1801 to 1809
3rd president
Jefferson was left 3,000 acres and several dozen slaves by his father. Monticello, his home on a 5,000-acre plantation in Virginia, was one of the architectural wonders of its time. He made considerable money in various political positions before becoming president, but was mired in debt towards the end of his life.
3. Theodore Roosevelt
Net worth: $125 million
In office: 1901 to 1909
26th president
Born to a prominent and wealthy family, Roosevelt received a sizable trust fund. He lost most of his money on a ranching venture in the Dakotas and had to work as an author to pay bills. Roosevelt spent most of his adult years in public service. His 235-acre estate, Sagamore Hill, now sits on some of the most valuable real estate on Long Island.
4. Andrew Jackson
Net worth: $119 million
In office: 1829 to 1837
7th president
While he was considered to be in touch with the average middle-class American, Jackson quietly became one of the wealthiest presidents of the 1800s. “Old Hickory” married into wealth and made money in the military. His homestead, The Hermitage, included 1,050 acres of prime real estate. Over the course of his life, he owned as many as 300 slaves. Jackson entered considerable debt
5. James Madison
Net worth: $101 million
In office: 1809 to 1817
4th president
Madison was the largest landowner in Orange County, Va. His land holding consisted of 5,000 acres and the Montpelier estate. He made significant wealth as Secretary of State and president. Madison lost money at the end of his life due to the steady financial collapse of his plantation.
6. Lyndon Baines Johnson
Net worth: $98 million
In office: 1963 to 1969
36th president
Johnson’s father lost all the family’s money when LBJ was a boy. Over time, the 36th president accumulated 1,500 acres in Blanco County, Texas, which included his home, called the “Texas White House.” He and his wife owned a radio and television station in Austin, Texas, and had a variety of other moderate holdings, including livestock and private aircraft.
7. Herbert Clark Hoover
Net worth: $75 million
In office: 1929 to 1933
31st president
An orphan, Hoover was raised by his uncle, a doctor. He made a fortune as a mining company executive. He had a very large salary for 17 years and had extensive holdings in mining companies. Hoover donated his presidential salary to charity. He also owned “Hoover House” in Monterrey, Calif.
8. Franklin Delano Roosevelt
Net worth: $60 million
In office: 1933 to 1945
32nd president
Roosevelt’s wealth came through inheritance and marriage. He owned the 800-acre Springwood estate, as well as properties in Georgia, Maine and New York. In 1919, his mother had to bail him out of financial difficulty. He spent most of his adult life in public service. Before he was president, Roosevelt was appointed assistant secretary of the Navy by President Wilson.
9. William Jefferson Clinton
Net worth: $55 million
In office: 1993 to 2001
42nd president
Unlike many presidents, Bill Clinton did not come from a wealthy family, nor did he have lucrative employment before his presidency. But since leaving office we estimate that Clinton has earned more than $125 million before taxes, with the vast majority of that coming from speaking fees. Clinton’s net worth was reduced in 2008 when his wife, Hillary Clinton, wrote off more than $13 million she loaned her campaign for her own presidential bid. Her campaign debt, once over $25 million, was just retired in January.
10. John Fitzgerald Kennedy
Net worth: $1 billion (never inherited his father’s fortune)
In office: 1961 to 1963
35th president
Born into great wealth, Kennedy’s wife was an oil heiress. His father was one of the wealthiest men in America and was the first chairman of the Securities and Exchange Commission. Almost all of JFK’s income and property came from a trust shared with other family members.
If Bill Clinton is any indication, Obama can expect to make much more money in speaking engagements once he exits office in 2017. The net worth of the presidents varies widely. George Washington amassed over half a billion in today’s dollars, while other presidents went bankrupt. The fortunes of America’s presidents are often tied to the economy of their time. Over time, as the focus of the economy has changed, so has the way the presidents made their money. Here is complete list of the 10 richest & wealthiest U.S. presidents.
1. George Washington
Net worth: $525 million
In office: 1789 to 1797
1st president
His Virginia plantation, Mount Vernon, consisted of five separate farms on 8,000 acres of prime farmland, run by more than 300 slaves. His wife, Martha Washington, inherited significant property from her father. Washington made well more than subsequent presidents: his salary was 2% of the total U.S. budget in 1789.
2. Thomas Jefferson
Net worth: $212 million
In office: 1801 to 1809
3rd president
Jefferson was left 3,000 acres and several dozen slaves by his father. Monticello, his home on a 5,000-acre plantation in Virginia, was one of the architectural wonders of its time. He made considerable money in various political positions before becoming president, but was mired in debt towards the end of his life.
3. Theodore Roosevelt
Net worth: $125 million
In office: 1901 to 1909
26th president
Born to a prominent and wealthy family, Roosevelt received a sizable trust fund. He lost most of his money on a ranching venture in the Dakotas and had to work as an author to pay bills. Roosevelt spent most of his adult years in public service. His 235-acre estate, Sagamore Hill, now sits on some of the most valuable real estate on Long Island.
4. Andrew Jackson
Net worth: $119 million
In office: 1829 to 1837
7th president
While he was considered to be in touch with the average middle-class American, Jackson quietly became one of the wealthiest presidents of the 1800s. “Old Hickory” married into wealth and made money in the military. His homestead, The Hermitage, included 1,050 acres of prime real estate. Over the course of his life, he owned as many as 300 slaves. Jackson entered considerable debt
5. James Madison
Net worth: $101 million
In office: 1809 to 1817
4th president
Madison was the largest landowner in Orange County, Va. His land holding consisted of 5,000 acres and the Montpelier estate. He made significant wealth as Secretary of State and president. Madison lost money at the end of his life due to the steady financial collapse of his plantation.
6. Lyndon Baines Johnson
Net worth: $98 million
In office: 1963 to 1969
36th president
Johnson’s father lost all the family’s money when LBJ was a boy. Over time, the 36th president accumulated 1,500 acres in Blanco County, Texas, which included his home, called the “Texas White House.” He and his wife owned a radio and television station in Austin, Texas, and had a variety of other moderate holdings, including livestock and private aircraft.
7. Herbert Clark Hoover
Net worth: $75 million
In office: 1929 to 1933
31st president
An orphan, Hoover was raised by his uncle, a doctor. He made a fortune as a mining company executive. He had a very large salary for 17 years and had extensive holdings in mining companies. Hoover donated his presidential salary to charity. He also owned “Hoover House” in Monterrey, Calif.
8. Franklin Delano Roosevelt
Net worth: $60 million
In office: 1933 to 1945
32nd president
Roosevelt’s wealth came through inheritance and marriage. He owned the 800-acre Springwood estate, as well as properties in Georgia, Maine and New York. In 1919, his mother had to bail him out of financial difficulty. He spent most of his adult life in public service. Before he was president, Roosevelt was appointed assistant secretary of the Navy by President Wilson.
9. William Jefferson Clinton
Net worth: $55 million
In office: 1993 to 2001
42nd president
Unlike many presidents, Bill Clinton did not come from a wealthy family, nor did he have lucrative employment before his presidency. But since leaving office we estimate that Clinton has earned more than $125 million before taxes, with the vast majority of that coming from speaking fees. Clinton’s net worth was reduced in 2008 when his wife, Hillary Clinton, wrote off more than $13 million she loaned her campaign for her own presidential bid. Her campaign debt, once over $25 million, was just retired in January.
10. John Fitzgerald Kennedy
Net worth: $1 billion (never inherited his father’s fortune)
In office: 1961 to 1963
35th president
Born into great wealth, Kennedy’s wife was an oil heiress. His father was one of the wealthiest men in America and was the first chairman of the Securities and Exchange Commission. Almost all of JFK’s income and property came from a trust shared with other family members.
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