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The Obamas are now worth 30 times more than when they entered the White-House. Here’s what they do with their millions

Former President Barack Obama is a busy guy.

From speaking at events around the world to writing a memoir and, most recently, signing a massive production deal with Netflix, Obama’s life after the White House has been full and very lucrative.

These endeavors — along with the six-figure pension all former presidents receive — have significantly contributed to Obama’s estimated net worth of $40 million.

From the time he joined the US Senate in 2005 to the end of his presidency, Obama made $20 million alone from his presidential salary, book royalties, and investments, Forbes reported. And based on all the projects he has taken on in the short time since leaving the White House, we can only expect him to make many millions more.

From philanthropic efforts to vacationing where the sun shines to making long-term investments in his daughters’ education, here’s how Obama spends his fortune.


The Obamas entered the White House with a $1.3 million net worth in 2008. That has since grown to an estimated $40 million.

(Source: American University, CNN Money,GoBankingRates)

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.

(Source: Forbes)

Tim Boyle—Getty Images

Obama earned $400,000 a year during his eight years as president, and he earns an annual pension of about $200,000 as a former president.

(Source: GoBankingRates)

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,” Forbes reported, citing tax returns and financial documents.

(Source: Forbes)

Spencer Platt—Getty Images

But Barack’s lucrative career as an author isn’t over. Last year, he and Michelle signed book deals worth at least $60 million.

(Source: Business Insider)

Books aren’t the Obamas’ only foray into media — they recently signed a production deal with Netflix. While financial details haven’t been released, The New York Times reported that previous similar deals were worth tens of millions of dollars.

(Source: New York Times)

Since leaving office, Obama has also been paid as much as $400,000 for public speaking events.

(Source: CNBC)

NICHOLAS KAMM—AFP/Getty Images

All things considered, the Obamas could stand to earn as much as $242.5 million in their post-presidency life, American University estimated. But here’s how they’ve spent their fortune so far …

(Source: American University)

The Obamas think long-term when it comes to their 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 last fall.

(Source: Business Insider)

The Obamas also made an investment in real estate. 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.

(Source: Washington Post)

Barack Obama departs the Thomas Sweet ice cream parlour with his daughter, Malia on June 19, 2011 in Georgetown.
Barack Obama departs the Thomas Sweet ice cream parlour with his daughter, Malia on June 19, 2011 in Georgetown.
Pool—Getty Images

At the time of purchase, it was reportedly the second-most-expensive home in the neighborhood, right behind Jeff Bezos’ former textile museum turned mansion.

(Source: Washington Post)

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.

(Source: Chicago Tribune,Cook County Assessor’s Office,Cook County Recorder of Deeds)

The Obamas have also 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.

(Sources: Business Insider,Time)

Obama also visited his home state of Hawaii and the island of Tetiaroa in French Polynesia, where he 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.

(Source: Time,The Brando)

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.

(Source: Business Insider,Time)

Barack Obama (2nd L), Michelle (3rd L) and his daughters Sasha (front C) and Malia (2nd R) go rafting at Bongkasa Village in Badung on Bali island.
Barack Obama (2nd L), Michelle (3rd L) and his daughters Sasha (front C) and Malia (2nd R) go rafting at Bongkasa Village in Badung on Bali island.
AFP Contributor—AFP/Getty Images

The General Services Administration is required to provide a former president with enough money to cover travel and business expenses, so it’s hard to say how much of their own money the Obamas spent on their vacations.

(Source: Business Insider)

We do know wardrobe isn’t included in the package of presidential benefits and perks.

(Source: Business Insider)

While Michelle has donned expensive designer clothes like pieces from Naeem Khan and a Versace gown worth an estimated $12,000 for special events as the first lady, she’s also known for her casual, relatable style. She’s often been spotted in affordable brands like J. Crew, Target, and Converse.

(Source: New York Times,Business Insider)

NurPhoto—NurPhoto via Getty Images

Of course, she needs the perfect outfit for date night, which she and Barack always make time for. They couple was recently spotted attending a Beyoncé and Jay-Z concert.

(Source: Business Insider)

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. And she’s a regular at SoulCycle, which costs $36 a class or $900 for 30 classes.

(Source: People)

Leigh Vogel—WireImage

The Obamas also spend a significant amount of their money on philanthropy. From 2009 to 2015, they gave $1.1 million to charity, Forbes reported.

(Source: Forbes)

During that time frame, they donated to charities focusing on African-American causes, veterans, disaster relief, homelessness and housing, and health. More than half of their donations went to organizations for children.

(Source: Forbes)

US President-elect Barack Obama holds a baby as his visits volunteers during a National Day of Service Project event where volunteers were writing letters for troops in 2009.
US President-elect Barack Obama holds a baby as his visits volunteers during a National Day of Service Project event where volunteers were writing letters for troops in 2009.
MANDEL NGAN—AFP/Getty Images

Obama donated all the post-tax profits from his children’s book, “Of Thee I Sing,” to provide scholarships for children of wounded and fallen soldiers. The donations totaled $392,000 from 2009 to 2015.

(Source: Forbes)

In 2015, Obama’s penultimate year in office, the Obamas donated more than $64,000, or about 15% of their income, to 34 charities, Time reported, citing tax returns.

(Source: Time)

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.

(Source: Business Insider)

Michelle Obama and Barack Obama wave to crowds from behind bullet proof glass on the balcony of the Grand Hotel in Oslo, Norway.
Michelle Obama and Barack Obama wave to crowds from behind bullet proof glass on the balcony of the Grand Hotel in Oslo, Norway.
Ragnar Singsaas—Getty Images

This article originally appeared on BusinessInsider.com.

Also Read:  Mom plans to adopt baby girl – then learns she’s the biological sibling to her adopted son

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