Who Was the Richest President?

Posted on by Forest in General

Who Was the Richest President? – Anyone can be President of the USA, right? Well that is what kids in school are taught but the fact is that pretty much every single president has been hugely rich. But who was the richest?

Who Was the Richest President?

President Barack Obama is estimated to be worth somewhere around $10.5 million dollars, a tidy sum for sure. However compared relatively to some of the past presidents he could be considered a pauper. Of course relative wealth is hard to judge but Forbes took a look at some past presidents and gave some thoughts on which ones may be deemed the wealthiest. Here they are summarised below.

George Washington – 1789 to 1797 - The first president was a plantation owner who owned around 150 slaves at death (who were then freed). He also earned a substantial amount from inheritance.

Thomas Jefferson – 1801 to 1809 - Through inheritance and plantations Jefferson lived a very rich and lavish life. Though he actually died broke!

Andrew Jackson – 1829 to 1837 - Often quoted as being born a commoner but brought up by a rich uncle, then becoming a lawyer and earning a ton through land acquisition and speculation he was extremely rich. He also had plantations.

Zachary Taylor – 1849 to 1850 - He held huge riches through inheritance and plantation ownership.

Theodore Roosevelt – 1901 to 1909 - Fairly wealthy through inheritance but not rich as president and had to work as an author after his term.

Herbert Hoover – 1929 to 1933 - An extremely wealthy and shrewd businessman, Jackson earned a lot of his cash through mining and various other deals.

Franklin Delano Roosevelt – 1933 to 1945 - Coming from old money he didn’t control his fortunes but certainly had access to it.

John F. Kennedy – 1961 to 1963 - In many ways a trust fund baby John’s dad was big in banking, movies, liquor and investing and the family had (still has) huge wealth.

Lyndon B. Johnson – 1963 to 1969 – Entering politics at 23 he acquired a fortune heading around $14 million before he even became president.This happend mainly through real estate and land deals. He also earned large sums through TV and Radion station investment.

George W. Bush 2001 to 2008 - Another family with serious old money the Bush clan had investment bankers to thank for much of it’s recent money. George Dubya sold his Texas Rangers shares before joining office for $15 million alone.

The full slideshow can be seen here.

Who Was the Richest President?

It really seems a bit awful looking at the places many past presidents found their wealth. The ownership of even one slave puts blood on a legacy, let alone 150! Sadly it was that way. Some would say that even today the questionable large wealth of those who reach the White House is just as bad with fingers in terrible businesses that can affect important decsisions affecting the nation at large. Maybe it really is time for a normal president.

Related: Politicians’ Previous Jobs

We would love to hear your thoughts.

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Tags: rich presidents, wealthy politicians