First lady Jill Biden collected tens of thousands of dollars in gifts from foreign leaders throughout 2023, according to documents released by the State Department.
Throughout 2023, the president and his wife were presented with thousands of dollars of gifts from foreign leaders, with the first lady receiving the most expensive gift of the year, a $20,000 diamond, according to annual accounting documents released by the State Department. The 7.5 carat diamond was a gift from Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi. Other pricey gifts the first lady received include a $2,000 Eye of Horus necklace, an Egyptian Wood Inlaid Shell Purse, as well as a $14,063 brooch from the Ukrainian ambassador, the documents show. (RELATED: With All Eyes On Trump, Biden’s Bubble Gathered For One Last Swanky, Insulated Sendoff)
On another occasion, the first lady received chairs, a brooch, a photograph album and a bracelet from the president and first lady of Egypt, in total valued at $4,510, the documents show. Kishida Yuko, spouse to the prime minister of Japan, gifted the first lady with calligraphy titled,”The Ship in the Sky,” valued at $2,500, according to the annual accounting documents.
The first lady of the Republic of Tunisia gave Biden a scarf, a book titled, “Carthage – Fact and Myth,” a sculpture and some sweets, all totaling $3,015, the annual accounting documents show.
U.S. President Joe Biden and first lady Jill Biden toast during a dinner on the South Lawn of the White House on November 22, 2024 in Washington, DC. The Bidens are hosting a dinner to thank longtime supporters. (Photo by Andrew Harnik/Getty Images)
President Joe Biden also received gifts, sometimes in tandem with the first lady, the documents show. On one occasion, Biden received $2,400 collage from Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, according to the annual accounting documents. Biden was also gifted a $3,160 sterling silver tray from the Israeli President Issac Herzog, the documents report.
From the president of India, Biden received a carved sandalwood box, a book titled, “The Ten Principal Upanishads,” a statue and oil lamp, all valued at $6,232, the documents show. In another gift, the now-impeached South Korean president gifted Biden a commemorative photo album valued at $7,100, according to the documents.
U.S. President Joe Biden meets with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky in the Oval Office of the White House September 26, 2024 in Washington, DC. Zelensky also met with U.S. congressional leaders earlier today. (Photo by Win McNamee/Getty Images)
Executive branch officials are required under federal law to declare gifts, valued more than $480, they are given from foreign leaders, according to The Associated Press. Most gifts are transferred to the National Archives or made a part of official displays, the outlet reported.
Most of the first lady’s gifts were given to the archives, though the diamond is being used for official use in the White House East Wing, the documents reveal. A spokeswoman for the first lady told the outlet that the diamond will go to the archives upon the Biden’s departure from the White House.
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