Here’s How Much Every Living Former President Earned After Leaving The White House
George Washington expanded grain production at his plantation, where more than 300 people were enslaved when he died in 1799. John Quincy Adams and William Howard Taft both landed new jobs in government as a congressman and a Supreme Court chief justice, respectively. Thomas Jefferson founded the University of Virginia, while Teddy Roosevelt launched a 15,000-mile expedition into the Amazon rainforest.
These are just some of the ways former presidents have spent their time after leaving arguably the most important job on the planet. While it looks different for every commander-in-chief, life after the Oval Office has proven quite lucrative lately, as these former leaders have capitalized on their stature and fanbase to land high-paying speaking gigs, book contracts and other deals. Now, Donald Trump takes it to a new level, becoming the first person to make a billion dollars off of politics less than four years after losing reelection and as he makes his third run for the White House. Here's a breakdown of post-presidential wealth for all the living former heads of state.
Except for Trump's, net worth estimates represent minimums. All book sale data is from BookScan.
Donald Trump Net Worth: $3.8 BillionThe richest president in U.S. history finished his first term in dire financial straits, with his entire real estate empire—commercial property, hotels, licensing deals—suffering under the combined weights of a global pandemic and an owner on the outs with the American public. Yet Trump, who had previously survived four bankruptcies, two impeachment trials and almost constant scandals, wriggled his way out of a jam once again: Since leaving office, his fortune has soared, at its peak tripling. The tycoon reworked or paid off billions of dollars in debt and watched his golf and resort business boom as his followers flocked to his properties. But the biggest boost to Trump's bank account, at least on paper, has come from Truth Social —his Twitter knockoff that, despite making just $3.4 million in the 12 months through June and recording a net loss of $380 million, has seemingly become a way for MAGA retail traders to personally invest in their favorite president and his prospects. As of Thursday, it's valued by the market at around $3 billion. Trump's shares are worth almost $1.7 billion, helping earn him a spot back on the Forbes 400 after missing the cut twice in the past three years.
Barack Obama Net Worth: $70+ MillionObama made about $20 million during his 12 years in Washington D.C. as a senator and President, and had an estimated net worth of $6 million in 2012 . That figure skyrocketed once he left office. He and his wife, Michelle, sold their memoir rights to Penguin Random House for $65 million in 2017, per the Financial Times . A year later, they founded Higher Ground Productions and signed a four-year deal with Netflix; Obama has since won two Emmys, and the firm, which produced hits such as the post-apocalyptic Leave the World Behind (starring Julia Roberts and Mahershala Ali), re-upped with Netflix in June. The pair was also reportedly paid hundreds of thousands to speak at events. Per real estate agents, they own homes in Chicago, Hawaii, D.C. and Martha's Vineyard worth a combined $35.5 million (assessed value).
George W. Bush Net Worth: $40+ MillionAn earlier stint in the oil industry and a successful investment in the Texas Rangers made him a bundle. Already a multimillionaire when elected president, Bush's fortune apparently shrank while in office, according to his financial disclosures. He vowed to one journalist that he would "replenish the ol' coffers" after leaving power. The 2009 book deal for his memoir, Decision Points, which sold over 2 million copies, reportedly earned him $7 million. He also delivered more than 200 paid speeches . Today, he and his wife, Laura, own two Dallas properties assessed at $4 million and $2.8 million, plus the $10 million family ranch outside Waco. The Texan has also published two books of his paintings and a biography of his father, the 41st president.
Bill Clinton Net Worth: $45+ MillionThe 42nd president and his wife left office in 2001 "not only dead broke, but in debt"—Hillary's words—thanks to his legal troubles. Fortunately, his earning power kicked in just days later with a $125,000 speech at Morgan Stanley. They bought a D.C. house for $2.9 million later that year that has since doubled in value. They also still own a home in Chappaqua, New York, worth at least $2.2 million. By the time Hillary ran for president in 2016, the couple had earned over $240 million and were worth an estimated $45 million . In the eight years since, the Clintons have released seven more books—including a couple of thrillers by Bill and James Patterson (The President Is Missing, The President's Daughter) that have sold more than 1.2 million copies combined.
Jimmy Carter Net Worth: N/AThe 99-year-old single-termer didn't bother making high-paying speeches, telling the Washington Post in 2018 that "it just never had been my ambition to be rich." After leaving the White House in 1981, he and his wife, Rosalynn (d. 2023), sold their debt-burdened peanut farm and, in 1994, donated their rural Georgia home, with an assessed value of less than $170,000, to the U.S. government. While they continued to live a modest life by all accounts, the Carters likely made a pretty penny writing 34 books, including memoirs, a poetry collection, a children's book and reflections on aging. His Palestine Peace Not Apartheid (2006), about the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, sold more than 300,000 copies.
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