Ulysses S. Grant

10 U.S. Presidents' Net Worths

Net Worth: Less than $1 million

Grant's father was a tanner and his wife was the daughter of a wealthy merchant. He lost his entire fortune when swindled by his investing partner. Grant owned a modest home in Galena, Ill. Although he died with little money, his autobiography kept family afloat.

(AP Photo/File)

More from this Slideshow

0 of 0

Net Worth of Pre... Having examined the finances of all 43 presidents (yes, 43; remember, Cleveland was president twice), 24/7 Wall St. calculated the net worth figures for each in 2010 dollars. Because a number of presidents, particularly in the early 19th Century, made and lost huge fortunes in a matter of a few years, the number for each man is based on his net worth at its peak.

Read for a look at the some of the most interesting presidential stories and surprising net worth numbers.

(iStock Photo)
1. George Washin... Net Worth: $525 million

His Virginia plantation, "Mount Vernon," consisted of five separate farms on 8,000 acres of prime farmland, run by over 300 slaves. His wife, Martha Washington, inherited significant property from her father. Washington made significantly more than subsequent presidents: his salary was 2% of the total U.S. budget in 1789.

(iStock Photo)
James Buchanan Net Worth: Less than $1 million

Born in log cabin in Pennsylvania, Buchanan was one of 11 children. He was the only president never to marry. He worked for nine years as attorney, and spent 16 years in public office, including four years as secretary of state.

(AP Photo/ Library of Congress, Marian S. Carson collection)
Ulysses S. Grant Net Worth: Less than $1 million

Grant's father was a tanner and his wife was the daughter of a wealthy merchant. He lost his entire fortune when swindled by his investing partner. Grant owned a modest home in Galena, Ill. Although he died with little money, his autobiography kept family afloat.

(AP Photo/File)
Theodore Rooseve... Net Worth: $125 million

Born to a prominent and wealthy family, Roosevelt received a significant trust fund. He lost most of his money on a ranching venture in the Dakotas and had to work as an author to pay bills. Roosevelt spent most of his adult years in public service. His 235-acre estate "Sagamore Hill" sits on some of the most valuable real estate on Long Island.

(AP Photo/file)
Woodrow Wilson Net Worth: Less than $1 million

Wilson received modest compensation as head of Princeton and Governor of New Jersey. He never served in any position that provided him with a reasonable income. Wilson had a stroke in office and died five years later.

(AP Photo/File)
John F. Kennedy Net Worth: Although he never inherited his father's fortune, the Kennedy family estate was worth nearly $1 billion dollars.

Born into great wealth, Kennedy's wife was oil heiress. His father was one of the wealthiest men in America and was the first chairman of the SEC. Almost all of JFK's income and property came from trust shared with other family members.

(AP Photo)
Lyndon B. Johnso... Net Worth: $98 million

Johnson's father lost all of the family's money when LBJ was a boy. Over time, he accumulated 1,500 acres in Blanco County, Texas, which included his home, called the "Texas White House." He and his wife owned a radio and television station in Austin, Texas, and had a variety of other moderate holdings, including livestock and private aircraft.

(AP Photo)
Ronald Reagan Net Worth: $13 million

Reagan had no inheritance, but his first wife, an actress, had her own money. He was a movie and television actor for over two decades. "The Gipper" owned several pieces of real estate over his lifetime, including 688-acre property near Santa Barbara, Calif. Reagan was highly paid for his autobiography and as a GE spokesman.

(AP Photo/Scott Stewart)
Barack Obama Net Worth: $5 million

Obama is the grandson of a goat herder. He is a former constitutional law professor and civil rights attorney. Book royalties constitute most of Obama's net worth.

(AP Photo/Charles Dharapak)
The Complete Lis... Visit 24/7 Wall St. for a complete list of the net worth of all 43 U.S. presidents.