The Wealthiest World Leaders in 2024 (and How Much They’re Worth)
From the outside looking in, you might look at the leader of a nation and think, “They’re the most powerful person in that country, so they must be the richest, too.” Not necessarily. If that were true, Americans might have a President Elon Musk.
Still, there are a handful of world leaders who have insane net worths, some reaching well beyond billionaire status. We looked at a Yahoo finance report to highlight the wealthiest in the world (or rather, the assumed wealthiest, as the figures are estimates and many are based on rumblings rather than reports).
Vladimir Putin, Russia
Estimated net worth: $200 billion
Putin has been in power as either prime minister or president of Russia since 1999, making him the longest-serving Russian (or Soviet) leader since Joseph Stalin. His wealth is surrounded by speculation and mystery since his personal finances have not been officially disclosed. Still, “His properties include palaces, aircraft, helicopters, yachts, cars, and luxury items,” according to Rebekah Koffler, a strategic military intelligence analyst and author of “Putin’s Playbook.” Regarding the ambiguity of Putin’s finances, Koffler referred to his net worth as a “cobweb of secret assets, offshore deals and accounts.”
Kim Jong Un, North Korea
Estimated net worth: $5 billion
Kim Jong-un, as the supreme leader of North Korea, controls one of the world’s most secretive and authoritarian regimes, with his wealth closely tied to the state’s resources and power structure. His personal fortune is believed to stem from his absolute control over North Korea’s economy, including state-owned enterprises, illicit trade, and natural resources like coal and minerals. Reports estimate his net worth to be in the billions, although the exact amount is difficult to verify since Jong-un isn’t exactly broadcasting his account balances to the world. There are, however, some signs he’s filthy-stinking-rich. Kim maintains a lavish lifestyle, indulging in things like private jets, yachts, and expensive liquor, all while ruling a nation plagued by poverty and international sanctions. His wealth is further fueled by the regime’s involvement in black-market activities like arms deals, counterfeiting, and cybercrime.
Xi Jinping, China
Estimated net worth: About $1.5 billion
As the General Secretary of the Communist Party of China and President of China, Xi Jinping has incredible political and economic power, though his wealth is a closely guarded secret. Unlike Western leaders, Xi’s wealth is not publicly disclosed, and China’s lack of financial transparency makes it difficult to estimate. Xi’s position enables him to control key industries like technology, energy, and infrastructure while maintaining close ties with powerful business leaders. Although there is no verified record of Xi’s personal fortune, his family’s wealth has been the subject of media scrutiny, with reports suggesting they have significant assets, including real estate and business interests, to hide Xi’s own assets.
Bashar al Assad, Syria
Estimated net worth: $1.5 billion
The President of Syria, Bashar al-Assad, belongs to Syria’s version of the Royal Family. Assad has amassed significant wealth through his long-standing control over the country’s economy and resources. Much of his fortune is believed to come from his family’s control of key sectors, including oil, telecommunications, and construction. The Assad family’s wealth, estimated to be in the billions, is deeply connected to their dominance over Syria’s political landscape, which has enabled them to profit from the country’s economic infrastructure even during the ongoing civil war.
Srettha Thavisin, Thailand
Estimated net worth: $1.3 billion
Srettha Thavisin, Prime Minister of Thailand since 2023, is a former real estate tycoon and CEO of Sansiri, one of Thailand’s largest real estate developers. His wealth is largely derived from his leadership at Sansiri, where he was instrumental in expanding the company’s portfolio of luxury properties, condominiums, and housing developments. As a businessman-turned-politician, Srettha’s financial success has surmounted to some flashy signs of wealth including a yacht, property, a 1963 Aston Martin car, and fine jewelry.
Teodoro Obiang Nguema Mbasogo, Equatorial Guinea
Estimated net worth: $600 million
Teodoro Obiang Nguema Mbasogo, the president of Equatorial Guinea since 1979, is one of the world’s longest-serving and wealthiest heads of state. His wealth is largely attributed to his control over the country’s vast oil resources, which have fueled significant financial boosts to Obiang and his family. Obiang shows off his wealth with luxury properties, cars, and offshore accounts.
Ilham Aliyev, Azerbaijan
Estimated net worth: $500 million
Ilham Aliyev has been the president of Azerbaijan since 2003, which has allowed him to achieve impressive wealth, much of which is believed to come from his control over the country’s vast oil and gas resources. His family is reportedly linked to numerous business ventures, including real estate, telecommunications, and mining, often conducted through offshore accounts and shell companies.
Recep Tayyip Erdogan, Turkey
Estimated net worth: $500 million
Recep Tayyip Erdogan, the President of Turkey, has been linked to significant wealth through his long tenure in power, which began in 2003. While there are no official disclosures of his fortune, Erdogan’s family and close associates are believed to have benefited from lucrative government contracts, particularly in the construction and energy sectors. Allegations of corruption and misuse of state resources have emerged, though Erdogan denies such claims (obviously). Still, his political dominance allows him substantial control over Turkey’s economy, further contributing to his reported wealth.
Paul Kagame, Rwanda
Estimated net worth: $500 million
Paul Kagame, the President of Rwanda since 2000, is believed to have amassed significant wealth through his control over the country’s resources and political atmosphere. While exact figures are hard to verify, reports suggest his fortune is tied to business ventures involving state-owned companies like Crystal Ventures and close family connections.
Cyril Ramaphosa, South Africa
Estimated net worth: $450 million
Cyril Ramaphosa is not only the President of South Africa but is a wealthy businessman, with much of his fortune coming from his career in business before his presidency. Ramaphosa was a key figure in the anti-apartheid movement and later became a successful entrepreneur, holding significant stakes in sectors like mining, telecommunications, and fast food through his investment company, Shanduka Group.
William Ruto, Kenya
Estimated net worth: $400 million
William Ruto, the President of Kenya since 2022, is known for his significant personal wealth, most of which comes from his involvement in agriculture, real estate, and business ventures. Ruto’s wealth grew as he expanded his holdings in large-scale farming and property development. Before his presidency, he served in several high-ranking political roles, where critics allege he used his influence to amass his fortune.
Emmanuel Macron, France
Estimated net worth: $31.5 million
Before entering politics and becoming the youngest president to ever assume office in France, Emmanuel Macron worked as an investment banker at Rothschild & Co., where he reportedly made millions from advising on large corporate deals. Macron was so successful with banking that he was nicknamed “the Mozart of finance.” Despite this, his personal fortune as a politician isn’t as impressive.
Volodymyr Zelensky, Ukraine
Estimated net worth: $20 million
Volodymyr Zelensky, the President of Ukraine, was a popular comedian and actor before entering politics (sounds like part of an improv skit, doesn’t it?). His wealth is largely attributed to his successful entertainment career, including his production company, Kvartal 95, which produced films, TV shows, and live performances. Since becoming president in 2019, Zelensky has focused on combating corruption and leading Ukraine through the Russian invasion. While his personal wealth is modest compared to other world leaders, his transparency efforts are a key part of his political image.
Joe Biden, United States
Estimated net worth: $10 million
Joe Biden, the President of the United States, has been in politics for the better half of his life, and during that time he’s accumulated formidable wealth through his presidential salary, lucrative book deals, speaking engagements, real estate, pensions, and so on. Before becoming President, Biden’s net worth was modest, but it significantly increased through these post-political ventures.
Justin Trudeau, Canada
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Estimated net worth: At least $5 million
Justin Trudeau, the Prime Minister of Canada, comes from a wealthy and influential family; his father, Pierre Trudeau, was also a former Canadian Prime Minister. His wealth is modest compared to other world leaders, with much of it derived from family inheritance, as well as income from his time in public service and previous work as a teacher.
Lawrence Wong, Singapore
Estimated net worth: $5 million
You might have noticed that most of the world leaders on this list have amassed the majority of their fortunes outside of their leader salaries. Singapore’s prime minister, Lawrence Wong, however, is the highest-paid world leader, earning a salary of about $1.6 million a year. Wong has been known for his pragmatic approach to policy and governance, particularly in handling Singapore’s economic and social issues.
Ferdinand Marcos Jr, The Philippines
Estimated net worth: $3.6 million
The president of The Philippines, better known as “Bongbong Marcos,” comes from one of the country’s most influential and controversial families. His wealth is largely tied to his family’s vast assets, some of which have been the subject of legal battles due to allegations of ill-gotten gains during his father Ferdinand Marcos Sr.’s dictatorship. The Marcos family is believed to have amassed billions through control of the country’s resources during that time.
Anwar Ibrahim, Malaysia
Estimated net worth: $2.4 million
Anwar Ibrahim, the Prime Minister of Malaysia, was an advocate for economic reforms throughout his long career in politics, and has been transparent about his wealth and assets, although his net worth is seemingly much more modest than some other world leaders.
Nicolas Maduro, Venezuela
Estimated net worth: $2 million
Nicolas Maduro, the President of Venezuela, has faced scrutiny for his wealth, which is closely tied to his control over the country’s vast oil resources and economic infrastructure. His regime has been accused of corruption, embezzlement, and using Venezuela’s state-owned oil company, PDVSA, for personal and political gain.