List of American Presidents and their net worth: A-Z

Presidential Fortunes: From Adams to Johnson

Presidents A-C: Early Republic to Modern Era

Abraham Lincoln stands among America's most revered presidents, yet his financial standing was modest. With a net worth under $1 million in today's dollars, Lincoln came from humble beginnings and never accumulated significant wealth during his career as a lawyer and politician. His focus remained on preserving the Union rather than personal enrichment.

In stark contrast, Andrew Jackson amassed an impressive fortune estimated at $159 million in today's currency.

"Old Hickory" built his wealth through extensive land ownership and his plantation, the Hermitage, which relied heavily on slave labor. Jackson's financial success represents the dark intersection of wealth accumulation and exploitation in early American history, as detailed in historical economic analyses.

Like Lincoln, Andrew Johnson never achieved financial prosperity, with his adjusted net worth falling below $1 million. Rising from apprentice tailor to president following Lincoln's assassination, Johnson's modest means reflected his working-class origins.

Fast-forward to modern times, Barack Obama entered the presidency with limited wealth but has since built a fortune of approximately $70 million. His post-presidential income from bestselling memoirs, speaking engagements, and production deals with Netflix dramatically increased his net worth.

Benjamin Harrison, grandson of President William Henry Harrison, maintained moderate wealth of around $7 million in today's dollars, primarily inherited from family holdings.

Among modern presidents, Bill Clinton ranks as one of the wealthiest, with an estimated $245 million fortune. The Clintons transformed their financial status through lucrative book deals, speaking fees, and consulting work after leaving the White House in 2001.

Calvin Coolidge, known for his fiscal conservatism as president, practiced similar restraint in personal finances. Despite his "Silent Cal" nickname suggesting business acumen, his adjusted net worth remained below $1 million.

Similarly modest, Chester A. Arthur's wealth never exceeded $1 million in today's currency. Despite accusations of corruption earlier in his career, Arthur lived relatively modestly and didn't leverage his presidential position for significant financial gain.

Presidents D-F: Wealth and Public Service

The wealth disparities among American presidents become even more pronounced with Donald Trump, whose estimated $10 billion fortune (though contested) makes him among the wealthiest presidents. His business empire spanning real estate, hospitality, and licensing deals created unprecedented wealth for a commander-in-chief.

General Dwight D. Eisenhower accumulated approximately $10 million in today's dollars, primarily through his bestselling memoirs and his farm in Gettysburg.

Franklin D. Roosevelt inherited significant wealth from his family, with modern estimates placing his fortune around $79 million. Despite being born into privilege, FDR championed policies benefiting working Americans during the Great Depression.

Franklin Pierce maintained modest wealth of approximately $2 million in today's currency, having worked primarily as an attorney before and after his presidency.

Presidents G-H: From Founding Fathers to Post-War Leaders

The Bush political dynasty shows interesting wealth patterns. George H.W. Bush accumulated roughly $31 million through oil ventures and investment banking before his presidency. His son, George W. Bush, outpaced him financially with approximately $50 million from oil, baseball team ownership, and post-presidential activities.

America's first president, George Washington, towers over all others financially with an astounding $539 million fortune in today's dollars.

His extensive landholdings, including Mount Vernon, made him exceptionally wealthy by the standards of any era.

Gerald Ford maintained a moderate fortune of about $9 million, largely accumulated after leaving office through board positions, speaking engagements, and book deals.

Grover Cleveland, America's only non-consecutive two-term president, amassed approximately $33 million in today's currency through his law practice and investments.

Harry S. Truman struggled financially with roughly $6.6 million in today's dollars. His modest circumstances actually prompted Congress to create the presidential pension after he left office.

Before entering politics, Herbert Hoover built a $100 million fortune (adjusted) in mining engineering. Ironically, the president who oversaw the beginning of the Great Depression was exceptionally wealthy himself.

Presidents J: Diverse Paths to the Presidency

James A. Garfield and James Buchanan both had adjusted net worths under $1 million. Garfield's presidency was cut short by assassination, while Buchanan, who never married, lived relatively modestly despite his long political career.

James K. Polk accumulated approximately $13 million in today's currency, largely through plantation ownership and land investments.

As a Founding Father, James Madison built significant wealth of around $136 million through his Virginia plantations and land holdings.

Similarly, James Monroe amassed about $36 million in today's dollars through his plantation, though he faced financial difficulties later in life.

Former peanut farmer Jimmy Carter maintained a modest $9 million fortune and famously placed his business in a blind trust during his presidency to avoid conflicts of interest. He lived until age 99, becoming the longest-lived president in history.

Current President Joe Biden has accumulated approximately $10 million, primarily from book royalties and speaking fees following his vice presidency.

John Adams, our second president, maintained wealth of around $25 million in today's currency through his law practice and farm.

John F. Kennedy technically had modest personal wealth, but access to his family's estimated $100 million fortune (in today's dollars) through the Kennedy dynasty.

His father, John Quincy Adams, accumulated about $27 million, primarily inherited from his presidential father.

John Tyler amassed significant wealth of approximately $68 million through plantation holdings and land ownership, relying heavily on enslaved labor for his financial success.

Historical wealth calculations for all presidents reveal fascinating patterns about power, privilege, and public service throughout American history.