WASHINGTON (AP) — President Joe Biden and his family received tens of thousands of dollars in gifts from foreign leaders in 2023, according to a financial statement released Thursday by the State Department, with first lady Jill Biden receiving the most expensive gift: a $5 diamond 20,000 from the leader of India.
Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s 7.5-carat diamond was by far the most expensive gift given to any member of the first family in 2023, although she also received a brooch worth $14,063 from the Ukrainian ambassador to the United States and a $4,510 bracelet, brooch and photo album belonging to Egypt’s president and first lady.
The US president himself received a number of expensive gifts, including a commemorative photo album worth $7,100 from recently deposed South Korean President Suk Yeol Yoon, a statue of Mongolian warriors worth $3,495 from the Mongolian Prime Minister, a silver bowl worth $3,300 from the Sultan of Brunei. , a $3,160 sterling silver tray from the President of Israel, and a $2,400 collage from Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy.
Trusted news and daily treats, straight to your inbox
See for yourself: The Yodel is the source for daily news, entertainment and feel-good stories.
Federal law requires executive branch officials to declare gifts they receive from foreign leaders and counterparts with an estimated value of more than $480. Many of the gifts that meet that threshold are relatively modest, and the more expensive gifts are usually – but not always – transferred to the National Archives or displayed in official exhibitions.
The $20,000 diamond was kept for official use in the East Wing of the White House, according to a State Department document, while the other gifts to the president and first lady were sent to the archives. The first lady’s office did not immediately respond to a request for comment on the use of the diamond.
Recipients also have the option to purchase the gift from the U.S. government at market value, although that is rare, especially for luxury items.
According to the State Department’s Office of Protocol, which compiled the list to be published in Friday’s edition of the Federal Register, several CIA employees reported receiving lavish gifts of watches, perfume and jewelry , almost all of which were destroyed. Of the gifts destroyed, they were collectively worth more than $132,000.
CIA Director William Burns received an $18,000 astrograph, telescope and astrological camera, from a foreign source whose identity is secret. This will be transferred to the General Services Administration. But Burns reported receiving and destroying an $11,000 Omega watch, while countless others did the same with luxury timepieces.
Below the rank of director, the CIA employees who reported gifts are not identified, but one of them registered an Omega Seamaster Aqua Terra watch, an Omega Constellation women’s watch, a diamond necklace, a bracelet with earrings and a ring that together amount to a value had of $65,100. .
According to the report, all of these were destroyed, as well as a $30,000 women’s jewelry set from Libyan jeweler Al Grew, consisting of a necklace, bracelet, ring and earrings, received by another CIA employee.
Another CIA employee reported receiving a Yacht Master II Rolex Oyster Perpetual men’s watch worth $18,700, another reported receiving a Rolex Oyster Datejust women’s watch worth $12,500, and another received a Rolex Air King watch worth $7,450. According to the list, all three watches were destroyed.
Another employee reported receiving a collection of expensive Amouage perfume worth $10,670, the destruction of which is imminent, the report said.
