Joe Biden and his family received tens of thousands of dollars in gifts by foreign leaders in 2023including a $20,000 diamond (approximately 19,430 euros at the current exchange rate) for the first lady Jill Biden by the Prime Minister of India Narendra Modi: this is what emerges from the annual report published by Department of Statereports the Guardian.
Ways was received at White House from Biden and from first lady during his state visit on June 22, 2023. The 7.5 carat diamond it was the most expensive gift presented to any family member Biden in 2023, though Jill Biden also received one pin of the value of $14,063 by the Ukrainian ambassador to the United States and a bracelet, a brooch and a photo album of the value of $4,510 by the president and the Egyptian first ladies.
The same president of the United States received a series of valuable giftsincluding a commemorative photo album of the value of $7,100 by the president of South Korea, Yoon Suk-Yeol (currently deposed), one statue of mongol warriors of the value of $3,495 by the prime minister of Mongoliaone silver bowl of the value of $3,300 from the Sultan of Bruneia silver tray of the value of $3,160 by the president of Israel and a collage of the value of $2,400 by the Ukrainian president, Volodymyr Zelensky.
There federal law requires officials of the executive branch to declare i gifts received from foreign leaders and counterparts which have an estimated value greater than $480. Many of the gifts are relatively modest, and the more expensive ones are usually – but not always – passed on to the National Archives or exhibited in official exhibitions. According to a document from Department of StateThe $20,000 diamond has been preserved for official use in the east wing of the White Housewhile the others gifts to the president and first lady were sent to National Archives.