(PresidentialWire.com)- The American presidency has been held by a wide variety of people, from rich men to poor men. The wealth of American presidents became a real talking point in the 2016 presidential election, with New York real state giant Donald Trump entering the race.
Let’s take a brief look at America’s top three richest presidents in history. Remember, though, that wealth has been adjusted for inflation to reflect today’s values.
- Donald Trump
Trump became the richest president in American history while campaigning on pro-workers issues. It’s a tactic that wins elections, as President Trump wasn’t the only president in American history to win through the Electoral College vote (not the popular vote) by championing those issues.
Donald Trump promised a pro-America approach, and delivered, by implementing tariffs and ensuring that Americans could keep their jobs and factories would be re-established. As of 2016, 24/7 Wall St reported that President Donald Trump was worth 2.862 billion dollars. That makes him the richest president in American history.
Owing to his riches, President Donald Trump did not take his annual salary as president and instead donated it in its entirety to various charities.
- George Washington
America’s first president, George Washington, served between 1789 and 1797, and at his peak, was worth some $587 million in 2016 currency. Washington made his riches from his “Mount Vernon” plantation that had five farms spanning more than 8,000 acres of land.
And, as it was the 1700s, Washington used more than 300 slaves on his property.
Much of the property was actually inherited by Washington’s wife, Martha Washington, from her first husband who died.
Not only did Washington have large farms, but he also earned a huge salary. It accounted for some 2% of the national budget.
- Thomas Jefferson
America’s third president, Thomas Jefferson, was also the third most wealthy in history. Jefferson, who served two terms between 1801 and 1809, was worth some 236.8 million in 2016 money.
Jefferson inherited around 3,000 acres of land when his father died, as well as several dozen slaves. His home, known as “Monticello,” also sat on some 5,000 acres of Virginia plantation. It wasn’t just a beautiful place to live, as it was one of the most architecturally brilliant buildings of the time, but it was also very profitable.
What’s more, Jefferson made huge sums of money working in various political offices before he ultimately became president, but by the time he died, he was riddled with debt.
By stark contrast, there are nine presidents who were worth less than one million in 2016 money, all of whom were born in the 17 and 1800s.
