It is based on an annual assessment of wealth and assets by forbes and by data from the bloomberg billionaires index the forbes 400 richest americans list has been published annually since 1982. Aug, 2016 the clintons wealth puts bill clinton on the list of the 10 richest in american history. Henry ford was an american automotive engineer, entrepreneur, and founder of the ford motor company. Howmuchs team ranked the richest presidents in history.
This list of richest american politicians includes current and former officeholders and political appointees, and is not necessarily adjusted for inflation. While presidents certainly arent destitute, they are generally not wealthy before coming into and during their tenures. He is a graduate of columbia university and harvard law school. President obama is not one of the richest presidents. Aug 12, 2016 to see how it stacks up with past presidents, here are the top 10 richest presidents in u. List of presidents of the united states by net worth wikipedia. I was originally going to write about the investing performance of some of our presidents, but with 7 of the top 10 richest presidents gaining their fortunes through inheritance, it turns out that most of our presidents parents were much better investors and businessmen than the presidents themselves were. Got into presidential history after watching the west wing tv show.
From benjamin franklin to bill gatesa ranking of the richest americans, past and present, michael klepper and robert gunther ranked washington 59th. I regard the american presidents series as an exciting educational opportunity, telling the history of the united states in terms of fortytwo men who at one time or another led or misled the republic. Feb 22, 2015 president obama is not one of the richest presidents. To see how it stacks up with past presidents, here are the top 10 richest presidents in u. I have not done the research but if it isnt fdr its jfk i expect. Rockefeller being the richest american in history, although some define richest as an individuals wealth as a share of contemporary gdp. The 5 worst and 5 best presidents of all time how africa news. The richest and poorest heads of state in american history. Interesting facts youd not read about in your history textbook. Ronald reagan one could argue that washington made us what we are and lincoln saved the union.
We have updated our figures each year to reflect the earnings of the still. The top ten best presidents of the united states 1 abraham lincoln 16 abraham lincoln was the 16th president of the united states, serving from march 1861 until his assassination in april 1865. Top 10 wealthiest people of all time historical figures. Nov 10, 2015 the five worst presidents ever posteconopocalypse edition.
The books homepage helps you explore earths biggest bookstore without ever leaving the comfort of your couch. This gambit, however, requires a rewriting of history mr. List of presidents of the united states by net worth. In 1901, he wrote a book called history of the american people, in which he wrote a justification of the kkk. The history of the united states is what happened in the past in the united states, a country in north america native americans lived in the americas for thousands of years. History of the united states simple english wikipedia. However, not all of america s presidents started off rich. Here is the list of the top 10 wealthiest presidents of the usa.
Its often contended that 35th president shouldnt be classified as the richest american president of all time although, had he lived, jfk would have. In honor of the upcoming 3 day weekend and presidents day on monday, lets take a look at the top 10 richest presidents in u. France, spain, and the netherlands also colonized north. While a president s salary is approximately 400000 dollars a year, the actual riches from wealthy presidents came from inheritance, prepresidential business and of course exorbitant salaries being the norm just after independence. As governor of indiana territory in 1811, he led the american forces against the shawnee nation under tecumseh and a confederacy of native american nations who had banded together to resist american occupation of their lands. Donald trump richest us president in history business.
Feb 18, 2014 wages considered were earned for services as varied as collector of customs at the port of new york to royalties on books, as well as ownership of companies and yields from family estates. The richest american presidents of all time, inflation. The richest president in history is donald trump, who is the first billionaire president. Aug 22, 2018 americas richest and poorest presidents donald trumps net worth may have dipped, but hes still, by far, the richest president in american history. The american presidents series by james macgregor burns. Both are regarded as great leaders and influential figures in american history. John nance garner once colorfully described the office of vice president of the united states as not worth a pitcher of warm urine. The economy of the times is typically what leads to the fortunes of american presidents.
His net worth, however, is not precisely known because the trump organization is. Obama served three terms in the illinois senate and is the first african american president of the united states. As president, he instituted workplace segregation in the government and supported it in the army during wwi. Biographies of the 45 men who have held the second highest office in the united states carole chandler waldrup on. The list below reveals the 15 richest american presidents in history.
Weve had 43 different presidents, some have been extremely rich. Here we have a list of the richest presidents in us history. There are some who believe that the job of president of the united states carries a significant living. Aug 05, 2015 the 10 richest presidential candidates of all time. Feb 20, 2012 the 10 richest us presidents bill clinton, the 42nd president, was a man of modest means, relatively speaking, before leaving the presidency. Mar, 2018 these men are the richest to ever serve as american president.
Trumps muted approach to the virus early on and its far from clear if many voters will accept the idea of him as a wartime. Historical sources often give a range for a presidents net worth, adjusted. How pittsburghs east enders forged american industry quentin r. Franklin was the first person in america to manufacture type. Are you curious to see the richest presidents in us history. Trump officially became the richest president in us history, dethroning george washington, the countrys first president as brett logiurato previously reported for business insider, the real. Consequently, only the wealthy first participated in american politics. Most of the richest presidents in the us have also got money through investment, marriages or owning lands. There are thousands of books about americas commanders in chiefand no, theyre. Ford, of course, is known for founding ford motor co. Here youll find current best sellers in books, new releases in books, deals in books, kindle ebooks, audible audiobooks, and so much more. Richest presidents in the us history of the world thelistli.
Times books, an imprint of henry holt and company, is the publisher of the landmark series the american presidents. These american presidents were distinctly middle class and. The president s annual income has actually dropped steadily since he entered office. With one puppeteering hand in congress and another behind presidential figurehead george w. Facts benjamin franklin history historical society. The 10 richest presidential candidates of all time. It was an era when the former fledgeling industrial sector had fully matured.
He has written absorbing accounts of the wright brothers, john adams, and the construction of the brooklyn bridgewinning two pulitzer prizes and national book awards along the way. It was named after him in 1902 and it is usually used in newspaper headlines. However, not all of americas presidents started off rich. America s founding fathers decided that one elected civilian the u. In terms of real value, gates is likely one of the ten wealthiest americans in history. Feb 15, 2014 the 10 richest presidents in american history.
Listed individuals are thought to have had a net worth of at least the equivalent of 100 billion united states dollars. With the us election fast approaching, weve decided to take a look at our books which involve some of the most famous presidents. This is a list of wealthy americans ranked by net worth. When i received the the request the question was is or was, so my answer is the richest us president might surprise you donald trump net worth. As the focus of the economy has changed, so has the way the presidents made their money. Bush who spent eight years dodging deserved slings and arrows for everything from his cruel streak to his massacred language dick dark side cheney is both the worst figurative president and the worst real vice. The forbes 400 richest americans list has been published annually since 1982. In 2009, the president s adjusted gross income was. America s richest and poorest presidents donald trumps net worth may have dipped, but hes still, by far, the richest president in american history. In addition, many presidents including bill clintonhave earned considerable income from public speaking after leaving office. He has since earned a substantial income as an author.
I would like to see your list in the comments below and would love for you to weigh in on the discussion. The presidents annual income has actually dropped steadily since he entered office. Here are the 10 richest us presidents of all time voice of america. He has been placed in the top 10 wealthiest people of all time. These american presidents were distinctly middle class and often retired. When the story of our lifetime unfolds, you deserve to stay informed. How presidents make their millions american university.
Roosevelt served the longest, over twelve years, before dying early in his fourth term in 1945. Captivatingly written, this rich historical document delineates a morally responsible president who has continued to earn respect and admiration. Id describe this book as providing detailed summaries of each president s time in office. While democrats attempt to examine the presidents finances, one thing they can be assured of is that he is the richest president in u. The president of the united states is the head of state and head of government of the united. Yet almost none of the presidents have needed the money. Throughout history, most presidents have been wealthy, and they usually obtained their wealth prior to holding office, either from successful businesses or from huge inheritances. The net worth of every us president from george washington to donald trump. Apr 02, 2018 the american spirit, by david mccullough mccullough is one of the most celebrated historians in american history. Since leaving office, former president bill clinton has made millions from his 2005 book my life. The best books about american presidents first reading there are thousands of books about america s commanders in chiefand no, theyre not. Apr 06, 2016 categories american culture, american history, american politics, barack obama, presidential election, presidents tags net worth, poorest, presidents, richest, us previous post newspaper ads show freed slaves desperate search for lost relatives. The president of america paid a stipend even after they leave the white house.
The 10 greatest american presidents in history therichest. But money isnt everything, as evidenced by the following. Mar 02, 2020 the net worth of the american presidents. Who was the richest us president excluding donald trump. His net worth, however, is not precisely known because the trump organization is privately held. Americas richest and poorest presidents presidential greats. It is due to the changes in the economy that has brought about the change in the ways that presidents themselves make their money. He created a sansserif font known as franklin gothic. Apr 15, 2017 we can also go back into his prepresidential history to find out what he was known for. The fortunes of america s presidents are often tied to the economy of their time. Feb 17, 2015 president obama is not one of the richest presidents.
Other european settlers went to the colonies, mostly from england and later great britain. Who are the richest american presidents of all time, inflation adjusted. Then, of course teddy would have had considerable wealth as well. These men are the richest to ever serve as american president. The presidency of william henry harrison, who died 31 days after taking office in 1841, was the shortest in american history. As the 20th century beckoned, a new era for wealth creation emerged. Looking back at all of america s leaders, the nations first president, george washington, was also the richest.
Clinton has earned huge sums from book deals and public speaking engagements. The 10 richest presidents in american history 247 wall st. To the long list of firsts for george washingtonfirst in war, in peace, in the white house, and in the hearts of his countrymenwe can add yet another superlative. The best books about american presidents the daily beast. If history is a judge, not unless they first amass sufficient financial wherewithal to withstand often incomeless political races. Extensive donation to charity is the primary cause of his decrease in wealth. His net worth, however, is not precisely known because the trump.
The amounts are adjusted for inflation and represent the peak. Oct 29, 2015 the 10 greatest american presidents in history. The richest american presidents although it is difficult to compare wealth across historical periods, these ten presidents listed in order of service were considered rich by. We have updated our numbers to reflect the earnings of the stillliving presidents. Forbes ranked benjamin franklin the 89 th richest man in american history.
English people in 1607 went to the place now called jamestown, virginia. The united states of america is unquestionably the greatest nation on the planet, and the presidents that this country has had over the years have contributed greatly to making it what it is today. Who are the richest 10 presidents in american history. With donald trump set to become the richest president in u. A tale of madness, medicine and the murder of a president by candice millard, john adams. As of october 2019, there were 621 billionairesa record highin the united states. Lincoln led the united states its bloodiest war and its greatest moral, constitutional, and political crisis.
Here is my very subjective list of the top 10 greatest presidents in american history. Therefore, presidents at the time came to earn their wealth from the industrial empires their family had built. May 20, 2010 to figure the comparative net worth of the u. The description of reagans peripatetic early years are evocative and rich with detail, but the latter.