Poorest President in the World

Quote: Wizard

I thought Carter was upper middle class. At least he came off that way. I don't think Ford was super wealthy but am not sure. He was a congressman for many years before becoming president.

Bernie Sanders doesn't strike me as a rich man. I think had he beaten Clinton in the primary he would have won the general election.

"In 1979’s Jimmy Carter: A Character Portrait, authors Bruce Mazlish and Edwin Diamond wrote that Carter’s fortune was $814,000 when he became president, "

Quote: Pacomartin

Wikipedia lists their adjusted net worth in millions (starting with FDR) as:

Donald Trump $3500
John F. Kennedy $1000
Lyndon B. Johnson $108
Herbert Hoover $82
Bill Clinton $75
Franklin D. Roosevelt $66
George W. Bush $39
George H. W. Bush $26
Richard Nixon $17
Ronald Reagan $14
Dwight Eisenhower $9
Barack Obama $9
Gerald Ford $8
Jimmy Carter $8
Harry S. Truman <$1

...

Are these figures current (if still alive) or at their death vs. when they took office? I recall Clinton getting huge money for book deals while President, and speaking fees post presidency. I don't know how much the "charitable" foundations that are so common among professional athletes, entertainers, politicians and other uber wealthy folks are actually tax sheltered ways to funnel money to their family and cronies as "employees".

This site estimates Bernie at a net worth of 800k (1.6 million for him and his wife).

https://www.fool.com/investing/general/2016/04/17/what-is-bernie-sanders-net-worth.aspx

Quote: Ayecarumba

Are these figures current (if still alive) or at their death vs. when they took office? I recall Clinton getting huge money for book deals while President, and speaking fees post presidency. I don't know how much the "charitable" foundations that are so common among professional athletes, entertainers, politicians and other uber wealthy folks are actually tax sheltered ways to funnel money to their family and cronies as "employees".

http://247wallst.com/special-report/2017/02/17/the-net-worth-of-american-presidents-washington-to-trump/9/

The estimates were made at the "peak of their wealth" and were compiled in 2016. Obviously Barack Obama's net worth is expected to soar in upcoming years.

James Earl Carter (1977-1981) Net worth: $8 million
Jimmy Carter, born to a prominent Georgia businessman, was a peanut farmer for almost two decades. Upon his death, Carter inherited very little of his father’s fortune, forcing Carter and his wife, Rosalynn, to live in subsidized housing for a year, the only president to have ever done so. Carter left office deeply in debt but made substantial sums of money from book deals. To date, the Carters have published nearly 30 books. Carter also owns 2,500 acres with his family in Georgia.


William Jefferson Clinton (1993-2001)> Net worth: $75 million
Unlike several presidents, Bill Clinton did not inherit any wealth and gained little net worth during his 20 plus years of public service. After his time in the White House, however, he earned a substantial income as an author and public speaker. In 2005, Clinton earned a $15 million advance on his book “My Life.” In March 2014, the former president was paid $500,000 alone to speak in London to Bank of America. Former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton, whose assets are shared by her husband, has also contributed to the family fortune since leaving office. In 2014, she received a $14 million advance for her autobiography “Hard Choices.” Mrs. Clinton receives similar speaking fees as her husband, albeit at a lesser volume since she began to dedicate more time to her 2016 presidential campaign. ccording to Mrs. Clinton’s personal financial disclosure with the Federal Election Commission, in just one month in 2014, Mr. Clinton earned more than $1.9 million for just six speeches.

Barack Hussein Obama (2008-present) > Net worth: $8 million
Barack Obama receives a salary of $400,000 a year as the current president. The president’s annual income actually dropped steadily since he entered office. In 2009, the president earned $3.3 million in income after taxes. That figure fell to less than $600,000 in 2012, and fell in each of the following years to $435,065 in 2015. This is primarily due to revenue declining from his prior book deals, “The Audacity of Hope” and “Dreams from My Father.”
Obama is paying 5.625% interest on the 30-year mortgage on his Chicago home, which is worth between $500,000 and $1 million, according to financial forms disclosed by the White House. While he admitted he would save money if he refinanced his mortgage, he said, “when you’re president you have to be a little careful about these transactions.”

Harry S. Truman (1945-1953)> Net worth: less than $1 million
Truman was a haberdasher in Missouri and nearly went bankrupt. He served 18 years in Washington, D.C. Despite his modest income, he was able to save some of his presidential salary.

"I don't think Bernie was a millionaire." Commies never want to admit to wealth. How many houses does Bernie own? More than zero is to many.

Quote: pew

"I don't think Bernie was a millionaire." Commies never want to admit to wealth. How many houses does Bernie own? More than zero is to many.

Bernie isn't a communist. He's a socialist. There is a difference, one of which is around private ownership. So why shouldn't Bernie be allowed to own a house? In most communist systems (and many socialistic ones as well), the leaders aren't wealthy in terms of raw cash and property, but very much so in terms of their ability to get what they desire. Which is why communism ultimately doesn't generally work, as it creates the same focus of power in the hands of the few that capitalism tends to as well. Just with more state power.

He owns two with his wife (according to Motley Fool article). He's well off by most American standards, but I wouldn't say he's rich by most US federal politician standards.

Quote: TheCesspit

Bernie isn't a communist. He's a socialist. There is a difference,.

There is? China is a communist country and
has more private billionaires than any
country in the world. Socialist countries
have billionaires. Where's the difference.

He took his honeymoon in the Soviet Union. Nuff said.

Billionaires don't overtly oppress human rights and levy taxes. Governments do.

Quote: Pacomartin

Wikipedia lists their adjusted net worth in millions (starting with FDR) as:....

I assume this was their maximum net worth or perhaps worth at time of death/writing, depending on whether the president is still living.

After being president anyone can ask $100,000+ per speech so I would expect former presidents to be fairly wealthy.

My comment on Carter and Ford was on their worth just before, or during, their presidency.