Who is the Richest President of all Time
The 2024 United States presidential election will be the 60th quadrennial presidential election, set to be held on Tuesday, November 5, 2024. But just how much money does the president earn, how much money do presidents make after their presidency has finished, and who is the wealthiest president ever to have live. CEO Today provides the answers below.
Since the inception of the republic, affluent white men have wielded an outsized influence over the nation’s direction. Key figures among the founding fathers, like George Washington, Thomas Jefferson, and James Madison, hailed from prosperous land-owning backgrounds. Wealth and connections have historically enabled heirs of America’s elite families to pursue their presidential aspirations.
Prominent political families such as the Adams and the Trump-family exemplify this trend. Yet, it’s important to note that not every president began their journey with wealth; some accumulated their fortunes after their time in office.
The initial salary for the President of the United States (POTUS) was set at $25,000 back in 1789. It has been raised only 5 times since then. Today, the POTUS makes $400,000 per year.
CEO Today conducted an analysis of the financial standings of American presidents, adjusting their net worth for inflation to reflect 2025 values. The analysis took into account various assets, including real estate, savings from their careers, inheritancebook royalties, business ownership, profits from family estates, and other income sources. Here’s the list from CEO Today of the Top 10 richest presidents in American history, with their net worth adjusted for inflation.
#1 Donald J. Trump
Peak net worth: $3.9 billion
45th president (2017-2021)
Donald Trump was born into a wealthy family and reportedly inherited over $413 million from his father, as stated by the New York Times. He significantly increased his fortune by taking control of his father’s real estate company and now possesses billions in real estate assets.
#2 John F. Kennedy
Peak net worth: $1.1 billion
35th president (1961-1963)
John F. Kennedy came from a wealthy background, inheriting all of his fortune. His father, Joe Kennedy, was among the wealthiest individuals in the United States, accumulating his riches through banking and investments. On top of his family’s affluence, Kennedy’s wife, Jackie, also brought significant wealth to the table as an oil heiress.
#3 George Washington
Peak net worth: $585 million
1st president (1789-1797)
The first president of the United States came into a significant amount of wealth through inheritance. George Washington received the prosperous Mount Vernon plantation from his half-brother. In addition to this inheritance, he also made a substantial income as a general and later as president. In 1789, Washington’s presidential salary was $25,000, accounting for 2% of the entire US budget at that time.
Thomas Jefferson received 1,200 hectares (3,000 acres) of land close to Charlottesville, Virginia, from his father. He expanded his property by acquiring an additional 809 hectares (2,000 acres) and constructed his iconic residence, Monticello. Despite enjoying wealth for a significant portion of his life, Jefferson faced substantial debt at the time of his passing, partly due to the unpredictable nature of farming income and his tendency to spend lavishly beyond his financial limits.
#4 Thomas Jefferson
Peak net worth: $236.4 million
3rd president (1801-1809)
Thomas Jefferson received 1,200 hectares (3,000 acres) of land close to Charlottesville, Virginia, from his father. He expanded his property by acquiring an additional 809 hectares (2,000 acres) and constructed his iconic residence, Monticello. Despite enjoying wealth for a significant portion of his life, Jefferson faced substantial debt at the time of his passing, partly due to the unpredictable nature of farming income and his tendency to spend lavishly beyond his financial limits.
#5 Theodore Roosevelt
Peak net worth: $138.7 million
26th president (1901-1909)
Theodore Roosevelt came into a substantial trust fund but didn’t actively work to grow his wealth. At just 23, he was elected to the New York State Assembly and dedicated the majority of his life to serving the public. Unfortunately, he did suffer a significant financial setback when a ranch investment in the Dakotas didn’t pan out.
#6 Andrew Jackson
Peak net worth: $133.6 million
7th president (1829-1837)
Andrew Jackson stands out as one of the few US presidents who came from humble beginnings, having been born into poverty and later making a living as a lawyer. Although he didn’t start with wealth, he did marry into it and received a substantial inheritance from his wife Rachel, who passed away just before he took office.
#7 James Madison
Peak net worth: $114.2 million
4th president (1809-1817)
James Madison came from a very affluent family that owned vast tracts of land. His parents operated a prosperous plantation in Orange County, Virginia, where they constructed the renowned Montpelier estate. Unfortunately, as Madison aged, he faced financial difficulties. His plantation struggled to thrive, and his stepson squandered much of his money due to issues with alcohol and gambling.
#8 Lyndon B. Johnson
Peak net worth: $103.4 million
36th president (1963-1969)
Lyndon Johnson was a determined and driven young man who didn’t have much money until he crossed paths with Claudia “Lady Bird” Taylor, who hailed from a prosperous Texas family. Together, they managed a ranch with livestock and 607 hectares (1,500 acres) of land in Texas. Yet, their primary source of income came from a radio station that Lady Bird owned.
#9 Herbert Hoover
Peak net worth: $84.3 million
31st president (1929-1933)
Herbert Hoover was truly a self-made man. Orphaned as a child, he graduated from Stanford and worked as a mining engineer before entering politics. He wrote a mining engineering textbook and acquired several Burmese silver mines, which made him rich.
#10 Bill Clinton
Peak net worth: $76.8 million
42nd president (1993- 2001)
After his presidency, Bill Clinton found financial success, raking in millions from his 2005 autobiography, My Life. Additionally, his wife’s financial success contributes to their overall wealth. Hillary Clinton, who served as secretary of state, reportedly received a $14 million advance for her 2014 memoir, Hard Choices. Together, the Clintons have earned substantial sums from delivering paid speeches.
