Is Putin the World's Richest Politician? Meet the Top 10 Leaders

TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - Wealth is more than just influence or leverage since it often embodies sheer dominance across every sphere of power. For today’s richest politicians, this truth is lived daily, as their financial supremacy both fuels and magnifies their authority. While not all have built their fortunes on honesty, these powerful figures undeniably shape the course of politics and society, proving that money remains one of the greatest forces of impact.

List of the Richest Politicians in the World 

Global leaders like Donald Trump and Vladimir Putin are undoubtedly among the richest politicians, having reigned over two of the wealthiest nations. Other leaders with bedazzling fortunes, according to the Scotsman and UK Finance, also include: 

1. Vladimir Putin (Russia) - at least US$200 billion

Staying on the top list is Russia’s merciless leader, Vladimir Putin, whose fortune extends beyond a billion. Though the exact figure of his fortune remains undisclosed, many analysts estimate Putin’s net worth to stand between US$200 billion and more. 

Among his many other lavish belongings is his official residence, Novo-Ogaryovo, in Moscow, where the president allegedly invested a staggering amount of US$1.3 billion to fund its construction.

2. Kim Jong Un (North Korea) - US$5 billion

There is a striking jump in fortune between the two leaders. Spending most of his life carrying generational authority, Kim Jong Un reportedly stashed away nearly all of his wealth in bank accounts across countries like China, Luxembourg, Switzerland, Austria, and Russia. Among the world’s youngest leaders, the President of North Korea has built a distinct reputation of his own, cementing his influence on a global scale. 

3. Donald Trump (USA) - US$4.9 billion

The richest president ever elected in the U.S., Donald Trump, inherited substantial generational wealth from his father. Even before taking office, his influence stretched far beyond politics, leaving a mark on the entertainment industry through televised wrestling, sports, and beauty pageants. Yet, the cornerstone of his fortune lies in real estate, bolstered by his ventures with the Trump Media & Technology Group.

4. Xi Jinping (China) - around US$1.5 billion 

Estimated at US$1.5 billion, Xi Jinping’s net worth is linked to a web of hidden investments spread across various holding companies, including a US$244 million stake in Shenzhen Yuanwei. Despite earning an official salary of just US$22,000 a year, he has long balanced both immense wealth and unrivaled power through his decades-long tenure as General Secretary of the Communist Party of China, President of the People’s Republic of China, and Chair of the Central Military Commission. 

5. Teodoro Obiang Nguema Mbasogo (Equatorial Guinea) - US$600 million

With a fortune pegged at US$600 million, Teodoro Obiang Nguema Mbasogo is one of the world’s richest politicians and has held his power for a jaw-dropping 45 years. Born into a family of the Esangui, a part of the largest group in Spanish Guinea, Teodoro Obiang Nguema assumed the presidential position upon ousting his uncle back in 1979. Since then, he has maintained a firm grip on Equatorial Guinea, steering the oil-rich nation under his authoritarian rule.

6. Ilham Aliyev (Azerbaijan) - US$500 million 

Despite earning a modest annual salary of just US$230,000 in 2010, the lifestyle of Azerbaijan’s Prime Minister was anything but restrained. That same year, his 12-year-old son drew global attention by purchasing nine lavish waterfront mansions in Dubai worth a staggering US$44 million. Much of the family’s fortune is believed to stem from state-owned enterprises, bolstered by Azerbaijan’s lucrative oil and gas industries.

7. Recep Tayyip Erdoan (Turkiye) - US$500 million 

Erdoan’s decision to boost his monthly salary in 2023 by 39%, from US$3,829 to US$5,360, has sparked sharp public debate. The Turkish leader has already faced allegations of corruption and economic mismanagement as the nation’s currency hit record lows. His rising fortune only deepens his position closer to the ranks of the world’s richest politicians.

8. Paul Kagame (Rwanda) - US$500 million

As the chairman of Crystal Ventures, the President of Rwanda has a sky-high valuation tied to his name, estimated at US$500 million. The group, known to be a holding company overseeing the country’s economy, is attributed to various substantial assets, ranging from private jets to Rwanda’s largest milk processor. 

9. Cyril Ramaphosa (South Africa) - about US$450 million

Formerly the chair of the investment firm Shanduka Group, Cyril Ramaphosa sold his shares in 2016, a move that helped build his fortune to an estimated US$450 million. His wealth, however, drew global attention after a supposed burglary uncovered US$4 million in cash hidden at his residence. The incident sparked a major investigation, casting a shadow over the South African leader’s financial dealings.

10. William Ruto (Kenya) - US$400 million  

Rounding out the list, William Ruto’s million-dollar net worth predominantly stemmed from his real estate endeavors. Besides being a shareholder in the Africa Merchant Assurance Company (AMACO), Ruto owns the Weston Hotel in Nairobi, Mombasa, and Mara.

Whether admired or criticized, the world’s richest politicians continue to remind us that in politics, financial might is often as potent as political will.

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