The Surprising Net Worth of 12 U.S. Presidents, Before and After Taking Office
When it comes to the net worth of U.S. leaders, you’d be surprised to see how much they vary, especially before and after taking office. While some enter the White House with considerable wealth (like JFK and Donald Trump), others see their fortunes grow or decline due to factors like book deals and legal fees incurred during and after their presidency. The financial trajectory of these presidents offers valuable insight into how public service can influence personal wealth.
Here’s a closer look at the net worth of 12 U.S. presidents before and after taking office, including a few that grew up dirt poor and made it all the way to the highest office in the land.
1. Donald Trump
Before: $3.7 billion
After: $6.5 billion
Donald Trump, the 45th president of the U.S. and current Republican candidate, was a billionaire real estate mogul well before running for president. With an estimated net worth of $3.7 billion before taking office, Trump entered the White House as one of the wealthiest presidents in U.S. history. During his time in office, his wealth reportedly declined due to challenges faced by his businesses, the COVID-19 pandemic, and political scrutiny.
But according to Bloomberg, his net worth rebounded in 2024, driven by the resurgence of his business ventures and continued political influence.
2. Joe Biden
Before: $8 million
After: $10 million
Sitting president Joe Biden had a net worth of about $8 million when he entered office in 2021, largely from book deals and speaking engagements following his tenure as vice president in the Obama administration. Since becoming president, his wealth has grown to around $10 million, thanks to his presidential salary of $400,000 coupled with his real estate holdings. Compared to his predecessors, the Bidens’ financial growth has been steady and relatively modest.
Biden is also known for his long-standing public service (the man has spent nearly half a century in politics), which has shaped a career defined more by his time in office than by personal wealth.
3. Barack Obama
Before: $1.3 million
After: $70 million
Obama, the 44th president of the U.S., had a net worth of $1.3 million before taking office, primarily from his career as a civil rights attorney coupled with earnings from his book sales. After leaving office, his wealth skyrocketed through lucrative book deals, public speaking events, and a Netflix production deal. Today, Obama is among the wealthiest former presidents, with a fortune estimated at over $70 million.
4. George W. Bush
Before: $20 million
After: $40 million
George W. Bush, the former governor of Texas and 43rd president of the U.S. had an estimated net worth of $20 million pre-presidency thanks to his ventures in oil and his ownership stake in the Texas Rangers. After his presidency, his fortune doubled thanks to highly successful book deals (particularly his memoir “Decision Points”) and lucrative speaking engagements, where he reportedly earned six-figure fees per appearance.
The Bush family’s long-standing wealth and influence, particularly from their connections in finance and politics, have also helped maintain and expand his financial portfolio.
5. Bill Clinton
Before: $1.3 million
After: $120 million
Bill Clinton entered the presidency with a relatively modest net worth of $1.3 million, primarily from his work as Governor of Arkansas and his legal career. After leaving office in 2001, his wealth increased dramatically through various book deals, speaking engagements, and business ventures. His memoir, “My Life,” became a bestseller, and Clinton earned millions in speaking fees, with reports indicating he made anywhere from $250,000 to $500,000 per speech.
7. Ronald Reagan
Before: $10 million
After: $15 million
Ronald Reagan’s net worth was around $10 million when he became president in 1981. Thanks to his Hollywood acting career and numerous investments, Reagan had already built a sizable financial cushion before entering politics. Post-presidency, he earned millions from public speaking and memoir sales. After increasing his wealth to $15 million, Reagan’s post-presidential earnings allowed him to live comfortably in retirement. He died in 2004 after a long battle with Alzheimer’s.
8. John F. Kennedy
Before: $100 million
After: Unchanged
With a whopping personal net worth of $100 million before setting foot in the White House, John F. Kennedy was one of the wealthiest presidents in U.S. history. Though his family’s long-standing legacy and wealth was far more substantial, JFK’s finances remained largely unchanged during his short time in office. Much of Kennedy’s wealth came from his inheritance and his family’s business dealings in real estate, finance, and entertainment.
9. Andrew Jackson
Before: Unknown
After: $119 million (adjusted for inflation)
Andrew Jackson, the 7th president of the U.S., was born into poverty and experienced a difficult upbringing. Despite losing his family at a young age, he rose to prominence through his military career and later expanded his wealth by acquiring vast tracts of land in the South. By the time of his death in 1845, Jackson had accumulated a vast fortune estimated at around $119 million. His earnings are primarily attributed to his cotton plantation, The Hermitage, and other land holdings in Tennessee.
10. Abraham Lincoln
Before: $15,000
After: About $1.36 million (adjusted for inflation)
Abraham (Abe) Lincoln, the 16th president of the U.S., had a modest net worth of about $15,000 before becoming president. Though his wealth did not increase by a lot during his time in office, his estate was valued at $85,000 (approximately $1.36 million today) upon his death. Perhaps best known for his role in helping to abolish slavery in 1865, Abe’s legacy is also defined by his leadership during one of the most tumultuous periods in U.S. history: the Civil War.
11. Thomas Jefferson
Before: $212 million (adjusted for inflation)
After: Deeply in debt
Thomas Jefferson, the third president of the U.S., left behind a complicated financial legacy. As one of the wealthiest founding fathers, he had an estimated net worth of $212 million (adjusted for inflation) before taking office. His wealth came primarily from his extensive landholdings, plantations, and ownership of enslaved people (shame!). However, due to poor financial management (or, one could say, karma) and lavish spending, Jefferson’s fortune declined dramatically after he left office.
By the time of his death in 1826, he was deeply in debt, and his estate, including Monticello and his personal belongings, had to be auctioned off to cover his many debts.
12. Theodore Roosevelt
Before: $1.3 million
After: $125 million (adjusted for inflation)
Hailing from an affluent New York City family with roots tracing back to the early settlers of New Amsterdam, Theodore (Teddy) Roosevelt entered the presidency with a net worth of around $1.3 million (adjusted for inflation). His early investments in cattle ranching in the Dakotas, coupled with his family’s wealth, allowed him to have financial independence before entering politics. After leaving office, his net worth was boosted through book sales and other public engagements.