While Obama spends his money in various ways, he notably gives to charity and takes family vacations.
Former President Barack Obama and Michelle Obama are a busy couple.
From speaking at events around the world to writing memoirs and signing a massive production deal with Netflix, the Obamas' life after the White House has been full and highly lucrative.
For her part, Michelle Obama's first memoir, "Becoming," was published in November 2018 and became that year's No. 1 best-selling book.
And the former president's latest memoir, "A Promised Land," sold nearly 890,000 copies within 24 hours of its November 2020 release.
These endeavors — along with the six-figure pension all former presidents receive — have significantly contributed to the Obamas' net worth, which is at least $70 million, according to International Business Times.
The New York Post pegged their fortune much higher, at $135 million.
From philanthropic efforts, to vacationing where the sun shines, to making long-term investments in their daughters' education, here's how the Obamas spend their money.
The Obamas entered the White House with a $1.3 million net worth in 2008
That has since grown to at least $70 million, according to International Business Times.
Between 2005 and 2016, the Obamas earned a total of $20.5 million
From 2005 (when Barack Obama joined the US Senate) to 2016, the Obamas earned a total of $20.5 million from his government salary, book royalties, investment income, and Michelle Obama's income from her job at University of Chicago Hospitals before she became the first lady.
The lion's share of the Obamas' fortune came from books
From 2005 to 2016, Obama earned $15.6 million in advances and royalties from his books "The Audacity of Hope" and "Of Thee I Sing: A Letter to My Daughters" and royalties for "Dreams From My Father."
He reportedly earned $800,000 for just two speeches
Obama reportedly earned a hefty sum for speeches to Northern Trust Corp. and the Carlyle Group, and a minimum of $1.2 million for three talks to Wall Street firms in 2017.
More recently, Michelle has ventured into podcasting
Michelle announced plans in 2019 to host an exclusive podcast with Spotify. 'The Michelle Obama Podcast' looked at interpersonal relationships and debuted in July 2020.
She has an upcoming series, 'Michelle Obama: The Light Podcast,' which will premiere on Audible in March.
The Obamas could stand to earn as much as $242.5 million
All things considered, the Obamas could stand to earn as much as $242.5 million in their post-presidency life, American University estimated in 2017. But here's how they've spent their fortune so far ...
They think long-term when it comes to spending money
In 2007, Obama purchased Bright Directions age-based growth plans, each worth $50,000 to $100,000, to pay for Malia's and Sasha's college education. Malia started at Harvard in fall 2017, while Sasha started at the University of Michigan in fall 2019.
They needed a new place to live after leaving the White House, so they purchased an 8,200-square-foot mansion in Washington, DC, for $8.1 million after previously renting it.
In addition to their residence in Washington, DC, the Obamas still own their home in Chicago's Hyde Park neighborhood that they bought for $1.65 million in 2005. They took out a $1.3 million mortgage on the home. It's valued at about $2.5 million.
The Obamas have enjoyed several vacations since leaving the White House. They first headed to Southern California and eventually made their way to Necker Island, where Obama was spotted kitesurfing with Richard Branson.
Obama visited his home state of Hawaii and the island of Tetiaroa in French Polynesia
In French Polynesia, Obama checked into a luxury resort called The Brando. A night there in a one-bedroom villa can cost anywhere from $3,034 to $4,318.
One of their luxury holidays involved river rafting in Indonesia
The Obamas have also been spotted on David Geffen's yacht with Oprah, Tom Hanks, and Bruce Springsteen at a wine tasting in Tuscany and river rafting in Indonesia.
Michelle has donned both expensive designer clothes and affordable brands
She has worn pieces from Naeem Khan and a Versace gown worth an estimated $12,000 for special events as the first lady. Michelle is also known for her casual, relatable style. She's often been spotted in affordable brands like J. Crew, Target, and Converse.
Not all aspects of their lives are as lavish as their vacations.
Michelle opts for a bag lunch, like turkey chili, over eating out, the former president's chief of staff told People magazine in 2017. And she's a regular at SoulCycle, which costs $36 a class or $900 for 30 classes.
But none of this includes Obama's biggest donation to date: his $1.4 million Nobel Peace Prize award in 2009, all of which he donated to multiple charities.
No comments:
Post a Comment