Special Report

America's 12 Wealthiest Presidents

Source: National Archives / Newsmakers / Getty Images

12. John Tyler
> Term: 1841-1845 (10th president)
> Source of fortune: Inherited
> Peak net worth (inflation adjusted): $58.7 million

John Tyler was one of many presidents whose inheritance of land and property became largely his source of wealth. From his parents, he inherited the thriving family tobacco plantation in Virginia. And when his first wife, Letitia, died while he was in office, he inherited her fortune as well.

Source: Keystone / Hulton Archive / Getty Images

11. Franklin Delano Roosevelt
> Term: 1933-1945 (32nd president)
> Source of fortune: Inherited
> Peak net worth (inflation adjusted): $68.0 million

Coming from the wealthy and powerful Roosevelt family, Franklin Delano Roosevelt inherited much of his wealth. FDR spent almost his entire adult life in public service, beginning at age 28 when he ran to the New York state senate. FDR died in office after being elected president for a fourth time.

Source: Pool / JE / Getty Images

10. William Jefferson Clinton
> Term: 1993- 2001 (42nd president)
> Source of fortune: Books, speeches
> Peak net worth (inflation adjusted): $77.5 million

Since leaving office, former President Bill Clinton has made millions from his 2005 book “My Life.” Much of his wealth, however, actually comes from his wife, Hillary. The former secretary of state and Democratic presidential candidate reportedly received a $14 million advance for her 2014 memoir “Hard Choices” — one of the largest advances of all time. She also made millions from a number of paid speeches. Because the two are married, their net worths are combined.

Source: General Photographic Agency / Getty Images

9. Herbert Clark Hoover
> Term: 1929-1933 (31st president)
> Source of fortune: Mining
> Peak net worth (inflation adjusted): $84.5 million

Herbert Hoover was orphaned as a child, but he overcame his struggles to become a successful businessman and politician. After graduating from Stanford and before entering politics, Hoover worked as a mining engineer, becoming an expert in the field. He went on to own several Burmese silver mines and write a mining engineering textbook, all of which contributing to his considerable wealth.

Source: Central Press / Getty Images

8. Lyndon Baines Johnson
> Term: 1963-1969 (36th president)
> Source of fortune: Broadcasting
> Peak net worth (inflation adjusted): $111.2 million

Lyndon Baines Johnson owned assets such as livestock and 1,500 acres of land in Texas. However, the main source of income for Johnson and his wife, Lady Bird, was their Texas TV and radio station business. Though the radio station KTBC was technically in Lady Bird’s name, LBJ reportedly used his considerable influence as a member of Congress to make the acquisition go smoothly and make the station a success. The Johnsons later expanded their portfolio to include other TV and radio stations in Texas.

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