Editor’s Note
This article is based on the U.S. State Department’s annual disclosure of gifts received by the President and First Family from foreign leaders. All reported items were properly documented and handled in accordance with federal regulations.
President Joe Biden and his family received tens of thousands of dollars in gifts from foreign leaders in 2023, according to an annual accounting published by the U.S. Department of State on Thursday, with First Lady Jill Biden receiving the most expensive gift: a $20,000 diamond from the leader of India.
The 7.5-carat diamond from Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi was the costliest gift given to any member of the first family in 2023, although she also received a brooch valued at $14,063 from the Ukrainian ambassador to the United States and a bracelet, a brooch, and a photo album valued at $4,510 from the President and First Lady of Egypt.
The U.S. President himself received several expensive gifts, such as a commemorative photo album valued at $7,100 from the recently ousted President of South Korea, Suk Yeol Yoon, a statue of Mongolian warriors valued at $3,495 from the Prime Minister of Mongolia, a silver bowl valued at $3,300 from the Sultan of Brunei, a sterling silver tray valued at $3,160 from the President of Israel, and a collage valued at $2,400 from Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy.
Federal law requires executive branch officials to declare gifts they receive from foreign leaders and counterparts whose estimated value exceeds $480. Many gifts that reach this threshold are relatively modest, and the more expensive ones are typically—though not always—transferred to the National Archives or displayed in official exhibitions.
The $20,000 diamond was retained for official use in the White House East Wing, according to a State Department document, while the other gifts to the President and First Lady were sent to the archives.
said Vanessa Valdivia, spokesperson for Jill Biden. She did not say what it would be used for.
Recipients also have the option to purchase the gift from the U.S. government at its market value, although that is rare, especially with high-end items.
According to the State Department’s Office of Protocol, which compiles the list to be published in the Federal Register, several CIA employees reported receiving luxurious gifts of watches, perfumes, and jewelry, almost all of which were destroyed. The combined value of the destroyed gifts exceeded $132,000.
CIA Director William Burns received an $18,000 astrograph, which is a telescope and astrological camera, from a foreign source whose identity is classified. It is being transferred to the General Services Administration. But Burns reported receiving and destroying an $11,000 Omega watch, while many others did the same with luxury watches.
Below the director level, the CIA employees who reported the gifts are not identified, but one of them registered an Omega Seamaster Aqua Terra watch, a women’s Omega Constellation watch, a diamond necklace, a bracelet with earrings, and a ring collectively valued at $65,100.
All of these were destroyed, according to the report, as was a set of women’s jewelry valued at $30,000 from Libyan jeweler Al Grew, consisting of a necklace, bracelet, ring, and earrings, which was received by another CIA employee.
Another CIA employee reported receiving a men’s Yacht Master II Rolex Oyster Perpetual watch valued at $18,700, another reported receiving a women’s Rolex Oyster Datejust watch valued at $12,500, and another received a Rolex Air King watch valued at $7,450. All three watches were destroyed, according to the list.
Another employee reported receiving a collection of Amouage perfumes valued at $10,670, whose destruction is pending, according to the report.