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Top 10 richest U.S. presidents

Sarah Beth Hensley | shensley@wtop.com

February 24, 2015, 10:24 AM

1962: US statesman John F Kennedy, 35th president of the USA, making a speech. (Photo by Central Press/Getty Images)
10. John F. Kennedy Net worth: $1 billion (never inherited his father’s fortune) Kennedy was born into wealth, and his family’s net worth grew when he married Jacqueline — an oil heiress. Almost all of Kennedy’s income and property came from a trust he shared with other family members, 24/7 Wall Street reports. Although Kennedy has the highest net worth of the top 10, he ranks tenth because he was assassinated before inheriting his father’s millions. (Central Press/Getty Images)
Central Press/Getty Images
9. Bill Clinton Net worth: $60 million Clinton did not inherit any wealth, but he earned a substantial income as an author and public speaker after he left the White House. In 2005, Clinton earned a $15 million advance on his book “My Life,” 24/7 Wall Street reports, adding that by 2013, he was estimated to have earned more than $100 million since leaving office in 2001. Also, after Hillary Clinton left her post as Secretary of State, she pulled in big bucks for her book and speaking engagements, too. She received a $14 million advance for her autobiography “Hard Choice,” and has been earning more than $200,000 per speech, 24/7 Wall Street reports. (AP Photo/Kathy Willens)
AP Photo/Kathy Willens
Franklin Delano Roosevelt
8. Franklin Delano Roosevelt Net worth: $60 million Inheritance and marriage helped FDR gain his wealth. Roosevelt owned his Springwood estate in New York as well as other properties in Georgia, Maine and New York. Eleanor Roosevelt was born into wealth, which helped contribute to the family’s worth. (Hulton Archive/Getty Images)
Hulton Archive/Getty Images
Herbert Hoover
7. Herbert Hoover Net worth: $75 million Hoover may have been the scapegoat for the Great Depression, but he was set financially before coming to the White House. Hoover made a fortune as a mining company executive before getting into politics, according to the White House presidential biographies.  He even donated his presidential salary to charity, 24/7 Wall Street reports. (General Photographic Agency/Getty Images)
General Photographic Agency/Getty Images
2nd December 1963: American President Lyndon Baines Johnson addresses the nation on his first thanksgiving day television programme, broadcast from the executive offices of the White House. (Photo by Keystone/Getty Images)
6. Lyndon Baines Johnson Net worth: $98 million Johnson felt the pinch of rural poverty growing up in Texas, but the 36th president turned his luck around, according to his White House presidential biography. He owned a 1,500-acre estate in Blanco County, Texas, and he and his wife owned a radio and TV station in Austin, 24/7 Wall Street reports. (Keystone/Getty Images)
Keystone/Getty Images
377869 04: Portrait of 4th United States President James Madison. (1809-1817) (Courtesy of the National Archives/Newsmakers)
5. James Madison Net worth: $101 million The fourth president of the United States was the largest landowner in his hometown of Orange County, Virginia. At one time, he owned 5,000 acres and his Montpelier estate. (Courtesy of the National Archives/Newsmakers)
Courtesy of the National Archives/Newsmakers
circa 1830: Andrew Jackson (1767 - 1845) 7th President of the USA. Known as 'Old Hickory'. Daguerreotype taken from life. Engraving by Alonzo Chappel (Photo by Hulton Archive/Getty Images)
4. Andrew Jackson Net worth: $119 million Jackson made money in the military and married into wealth, too. He built a mansion, the Hermitage, near Nashville and owned hundreds of slaves over the course of his life, 24/7 Wall Street reports. (Hulton Archive/Getty Images)
Hulton Archive/Getty Images
circa 1905: Theodore Roosevelt (1858 - 1919),the 26th President of the United States (1901-09) sitting at his desk working. (Photo by Hulton Archive/Getty Images)
3. Theodore Roosevelt Net worth: $125 million Roosevelt was born in New York City in 1858 into a wealthy family and received a trust fund, too, according to his presidential biography. Roosevelt’s 235-acre estate called Sagamore Hill is now considered some of the most valuable real estate in Long Island, according to 24/7 Wall Street. (Hulton Archive/Getty Images)
Hulton Archive/Getty Images
American statesman Thomas Jefferson (1743 - 1826), the 3rd President of the United States of America. Jefferson was also responsible of the writing of the Declaration of Independence. Original Artwork: Engraving after painting by Rembrandt Peale. (Photo by Hulton Archive/Getty Images)
2. Thomas Jefferson Net worth: $212 million This founding father inherited about 5,000 acres of land and slaves from his father and a high social standing from his mother, according to his White House presidential biography. Also, Jefferson and his wife lived at Monticello — an architectural wonder of its time. (Hulton Archive/Getty Images)
Hulton Archive/Getty Images
circa 1790: George Washington, the 1st President of the United States of America. Original Publication: From the engraving by W Nutter, after CG Stuart. (Photo by Hulton Archive/Getty Images)
1. George Washington Net worth: $525 million The nation’s first president had wealth in his property. His Mount Vernon estate is on 8,000 acres of land and was run by more than 300 slaves. His wife also inherited even more property from her father. Also, as president, he earned more than other presidents: 2 percent of the total U.S. budget in 1789, 24/7 Wall Street reports. (Hulton Archive/Getty Images)
Hulton Archive/Getty Images
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1962: US statesman John F Kennedy, 35th president of the USA, making a speech. (Photo by Central Press/Getty Images)
Franklin Delano Roosevelt
Herbert Hoover
2nd December 1963: American President Lyndon Baines Johnson addresses the nation on his first thanksgiving day television programme, broadcast from the executive offices of the White House. (Photo by Keystone/Getty Images)
377869 04: Portrait of 4th United States President James Madison. (1809-1817) (Courtesy of the National Archives/Newsmakers)
circa 1830: Andrew Jackson (1767 - 1845) 7th President of the USA. Known as 'Old Hickory'. Daguerreotype taken from life. Engraving by Alonzo Chappel (Photo by Hulton Archive/Getty Images)
circa 1905: Theodore Roosevelt (1858 - 1919),the 26th President of the United States (1901-09) sitting at his desk working. (Photo by Hulton Archive/Getty Images)
American statesman Thomas Jefferson (1743 - 1826), the 3rd President of the United States of America. Jefferson was also responsible of the writing of the Declaration of Independence. Original Artwork: Engraving after painting by Rembrandt Peale. (Photo by Hulton Archive/Getty Images)
circa 1790: George Washington, the 1st President of the United States of America. Original Publication: From the engraving by W Nutter, after CG Stuart. (Photo by Hulton Archive/Getty Images)

WASHINGTON — It can pay to be the president — for some, more than others.

While the president doesn’t make a hefty salary compared to other professions — President Barack Obama makes $400,000 a year — some presidents have raked it in over the years.

Earlier this month, 24/7 Wall Street published its latest list of the 10 richest presidents. The publication updates its figures every year to reflect the latest information on still-living presidents.

Click through the gallery to see the richest presidents and their net worth.

Sarah Beth Hensley

Sarah Beth Hensley is the Digital News Director at WTOP. She has worked several different roles since she began with WTOP in 2013 and has contributed to award-winning stories and coverage on the website.

shensley@wtop.com

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