President Joe Biden and his family received an array of luxurious gifts from foreign leaders in 2023, with First Lady Jill Biden being the recipient of the most valuable item—a $20,000 diamond from Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi.
The 7.5-carat diamond topped the list of gifts presented to the Biden family, as per an annual report published by the State Department. Other notable gifts to the First Lady included a brooch valued at $14,063 from Ukraine’s ambassador to the United States and a bracelet, brooch, and photograph album worth $4,510 from the president and first lady of Egypt.
The diamond was retained for official use in the White House East Wing, while the other gifts were transferred to the National Archives. The First Lady’s office has not commented on how the diamond will be utilised.
President Biden also received numerous high-value presents, such as a $7,100 commemorative photo album from South Korea’s impeached President Suk Yeol Yoon, a $3,495 statue of Mongolian warriors from the Mongolian prime minister, a $3,300 silver bowl from the Sultan of Brunei, a $3,160 sterling silver tray from the Israeli president, and a $2,400 collage from Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy.
Under federal law, executive branch officials must declare foreign gifts exceeding $480 in value. Expensive items are generally either transferred to the National Archives or used for official display. While recipients can purchase gifts from the government at market value, such transactions are rare, particularly for high-end items.
The report also revealed that CIA employees received gifts worth over $132,000, most of which were destroyed. These included luxury watches, jewellery, and perfumes.
CIA Director William Burns received an $18,000 astrograph, which will be transferred to the General Services Administration. However, Burns reported destroying an $11,000 Omega watch.
Unidentified CIA employees logged additional extravagant items:
- A $65,100 jewellery set, including a diamond necklace, earrings, bracelet, and ring.
- A $30,000 women’s jewellery set from Libyan jeweller Al Grew.
- Luxury watches such as an $18,700 Yacht Master II Rolex, a $12,500 Rolex Oyster Datejust, and a $7,450 Rolex Air King.
Additionally, one employee received a $10,670 collection of Amouage Perfume, which remains pending destruction.
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