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When wealthy businessmen participate in American politics, the political landscape becomes more alluring and unpredictable. Some of America's wealthiest citizens also happen to be its richest politicians! Indeed, many of the individuals on this list have succeeded in other pursuits rather than politics, but these politicians have been able to utilize their positions to increase their income even further.

Our list, which includes only active politicians - not retired or former politicians like Michael Bloomberg (over $90 billion)—is based on updated data from Visualcapitalist and Finbold.

Top 15 Richest Politicians In America 2024: Huge Wealth Prior to Entering Politics
Richest Politicians In America

Which Politician is Richer Than Donald Trump?

Three billionaires make up the list of the wealthiest politicians in the United States, the most well-known of whom is none other than former President Donald Trump.

The Trump Organization, which has holdings in real estate, lodging, gaming, and media, is intimately linked to his wealth. But by most accounts, Trump is not the richest politician in the United States.

Illinois Governor Jay Robert Pritzker is at the top. He is a member of the affluent Pritzker family, which owns Hyatt Hotels & Resorts, and has long been a financial supporter of the Democratic Party.

Michael Bloomberg - $96 billion

It is estimated that Michael Bloomberg is worth $96 billion. Bloomberg founded Bloomberg LP, a financial data company, in 1981, which is the source of his substantial wealth.

Even after losing his 2020 presidential campaign, Bloomberg continues to use his wealth to advance his more moderate positions on matters like healthcare, the environment, and firearms.

Many have persisted in supporting their preferred causes long after they left office by lending their enormous wealth and powerful connections to causes they feel strongly about.

Penny Pritzker - $3.3 billion

Penny Pritzker, a descendant of the Hyatt hotel family, used her connections and $3.3 billion fortune to secure an Obama cabinet position. Pritzker, who held the position of Commerce Secretary from 2013 to 2017, promoted pro-business policies as the first person without any prior government experience.

Her choice suggested that privilege in elected office could be purchased with inherited wealth. Pritzker continues to be one of Illinois' top Democratic activists and fundraisers, continuing to use family wealth to gain political influence.

Learn more: Who Is Robert Pritzker - Richest Politician In America: Personal Life, Career and Net Worth

Top 14 Richest Politicians in the U.S of 2024

1. J.B. Pritzker, $3.5B (Governor of Illinois, Democrat)

J.B. Pritzker, a businessman and politician who was elected governor of Illinois in November 2018, is the wealthiest politician in the United States. Forbes estimates that he is worth $3.5 billion (March 2024).

His father, Jay Pritzker, founded the global hotel chain Hyatt Hotels Corp., which accounts for the majority of his net worth. He also owns wineries, restaurants, and real estate globally through other businesses he founded or co-founded with his siblings, Todd and Tonya, who are also extremely wealthy.

Top 15 Richest Politicians In America 2024: Huge Wealth Prior to Entering Politics
Gov. JB Pritzker

Earlier this year, Pritzker made headlines when he revealed his tax returns, which showed that he paid more than $1 million in federal taxes on an adjusted gross income of $213 million between 2016 and 2017. It was the highest rate of taxation that any American had ever paid at the time; most other taxpayers would have paid less in taxes as a result of deductions for charitable giving and mortgage interest payments.

He has supported progressive policies as governor, such as raising the minimum wage and legalizing marijuana. Pritzker also owns a 290-foot yacht that is thought to be worth over $100 million, and it is one of the biggest in the world. It has a movie theater and a pool.

2. Donald Trump, $2B (45th President, Republican)

With a $2 billion net worth, Donald Trump is the richest president in US history. His income came from developing and selling real estate. The Trump Organization, which Trump founded, is the owner of resorts, hotels, and golf courses all over the world.

Ironically, for someone who was raised in a wealthy family, he is also a writer who has penned numerous books on entrepreneurship and money management.

By the end of 2024, Trump will most likely be the Republican nominee for president of the United States. The billionaire Trump's holdings have significantly declined over the course of his preceding four years in office.

3. Doug Burgum, $1.1B (Governor of North Dakota, Republican)

Top 15 Richest Politicians In America 2024: Huge Wealth Prior to Entering Politics
Doug Burgum

From 2019 to 2021, politician Doug Burgum led North Dakota as its 39th governor. In Casper, Wyoming, on September 18, 1956, he was born. Along with Pat Roney and Jonathan Lewis, he co-founded Great Plains Software in 1982. He led the company as CEO until 1999, when it amalgamated with Microsoft Corporation to establish Microsoft Business Solutions Division (MBDS).

He worked for MBDS until 2003, at which point he left the company to pursue other interests, such as philanthropic work through his family foundation, which aims to enhance educational opportunities for underprivileged children in the United States.

4. Darrell Isa, $460M (Representative, CA 48th District), Republican)

Top 15 Richest Politicians In America 2024: Huge Wealth Prior to Entering Politics
Darrell Issa

Issa co-founded Directed Electronics, one of the largest makers of automobile car alarms in the United States. He also is a real estate investor.

Darrell Isa is a man you may not know, but you have undoubtedly seen his work. Between 2004 and 2010, this businessman and politician was a member of the Oklahoma House of Representatives. Even though he permanently left politics in 2011, he still has a net worth of over $460 million, which he acquired through the establishment of Isa Development Corporation (IDC), a company that develops real estate across the nation.

Darrell is not only one of the wealthiest politicians in America, but he also has a big heart—it was reported that he gave $2 million to Hurricane Harvey relief efforts last year!

5. Jim Justice, $450M (Governor of West Virginia, Republican)

Since 2017, the governor of West Virginia has been a politician and businessman. In addition, he owns multiple hotels, a thoroughbred horse farm, and multiple coal mining companies. Jim Justice's father passed away when he was three years old, leaving him to grow up in abject poverty on a farm that belonged to his grandparents.

After earning an accounting degree from college, he started his own companies that included coal mining and real estate development, making him one of the wealthiest politicians in America today!

6. Jared Polis, $400M (Governor of Colorado, Democrat)

Top 15 Richest Politicians In America 2024: Huge Wealth Prior to Entering Politics
Jared Polis

As the governor of Colorado, Jared Polis may be familiar to you, or you may have seen him mentioned in the news for his political endeavors. However, did you know that he is worth $400 million? He is therefore among the wealthiest politicians in the United States.

Polis attended Princeton University before attending Harvard University's law school. He was born and raised in Boulder. He began practicing law at Finnegan Henderson Farabow Garrett & Dunner LLP after receiving his degree in law, where he focused on intellectual property litigation and complicated commercial litigation cases like those involving semiconductor and computer software patent infringement.

Before deciding to run for Congress himself and win, he got involved with local Democratic Party organizations, which marked the beginning of his political career.

7. Glen Youngkin, $400M (Governor of Virginia, Republican)

The wealthiest politician in America is Glen Youngkin. He is the governor of Alaska and has a $400 million net worth. Although Youngkin is a Republican, he was elected lieutenant governor from 2013 to 2017 before being chosen as governor in 2017. His ownership of multiple businesses, such as Arctic Energy Services Inc., which provides services and equipment for oil drilling platforms and pipelines in Alaska, Canada, Greenland, and other locations, is a major contributor to his wealth. Additionally, the business has offices all over the world, including in Dubai and Singapore!

These are but a handful of America's wealthiest politicians. Though there are many more, these seven people are extremely wealthy beyond most people's comprehension. It's crucial to keep in mind that wealth does not always translate into skill or concern for the welfare of common Americans like us.

8. Mitt Romney $300M (Senator, Utah, Republican)

Top 12 Richest Politicians In America 2024: Huge Wealth Prior to Entering Politics
Mitt Romney - the rich member of Congress

Famous American statesman and entrepreneur Mitt Romney has become well-known because of his enormous wealth. His estimated net worth in 2024 is expected to range from $250 million to $300 million, which will pique people's curiosity about the sources and development of his wealth.

Romney was a co-founder of Bain Capital, one of the country's biggest private equity and investment firms.

Over his lifetime, Mitt Romney has held a variety of roles in his multifaceted career. Romney's career path has been a unique combination of political leadership and business acumen, beginning with his time as the 70th Governor of Massachusetts and ending with his nomination as the Republican candidate for the U.S. Presidency in 2012.

Mitt Romney is one of the wealthiest members of Congress, so it is only natural that people would look closely at his wealth. Though there have been rumors that Romney inherited his wealth, he has consistently denied these claims. It seems more likely that his business accomplishments combined with a frugal way of living are what have contributed to his financial success.

9. Rick Scott $300M (Senator, Florida, Republican)

In American politics, Rick Scott is well-known for his significant contributions over the course of his term. Interestingly, he has been the governor of Florida and is a U.S. senator at the moment. His extensive involvement in politics and business has significantly increased his net worth and piqued interest from the public. According to estimates, Scott's net worth as of 2023 is somewhere between $166 and $355 million.

Scott was a co-founder of Columbia Hospital Association, which subsequently combined with another business to form Columbia/HCA, which grew to be the biggest for-profit private health care provider in the country. He went on to become a venture capitalist after leaving Columbia/HCA.

10. Mark Warner $215M (Senator, Virginia, Democrat)

The well-known American politician and businessman Mark Warner was born in Indianapolis, Indiana, on December 15, 1954. From a young age, he developed an interest in politics and even ran for president of his high school. Warner's commitment to leadership persisted throughout his professional life.

In addition to his political pursuits, Warner has had great success in the business sector. He is the creator of Columbia Capital, a well-known business that has contributed significantly to his impressive net worth.

An estimate of Mark Warner's net worth ranges from $200 million to $310 million. The majority of his wealth is derived from Columbia Capital, his company.

11. Scott Peters, $200M (Representative, CA 50th District, Democrat)

Born on June 17, 1958, Scott Peters is a prominent American politician, virtuous attorney, and accomplished activist. Peters, who is currently valued at $200 million, is a remarkable individual who advocates for social change and advancement in our society while serving as the California state representative in Washington, D.C.

12. Michael McCaul $200M (Representative, TX 10th District, Republican)

Representative Michael McCaul is a wealthy man, having amassed $200 million mainly from his successful legal practice. Not only is McCaul the richest lawyer in Texas and one of the wealthiest lawyers in the country, but he is also one of the ten wealthiest members of Congress.

Born in Dallas, Texas, on January 14, 1962, Michael McCaul decided to follow in his father's footsteps and pursue a career in law. In almost two decades, he built a prosperous legal practice and made headlines by winning lawsuits that netted his clients close to $1 billion in compensation.

13. House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, D-Calif. ($120 million)

American politician Nancy Pelosi, who will be eighty-four years old in 2024, has served as the congressional representative for the San Francisco region since her election to the House of Representatives in 1987.

Finty estimates Pelosi's net worth to be approximately $120 million, which is a rise from her 2019 net worth of slightly under $115 million.

The yearly salary of a senator is $174,000. Nancy Pelosi's pay as Speaker of the House has increased to $223,500. Every Senator is given a small write-off for their travel and living expenses while in D.C. In addition, they get full retirement, insurance, and life benefits.

14. Sen. Richard Blumenthal, D-Conn. ($85 million)

American lawyer and politician Richard Blumenthal was born on February 13, 1946. He has served as the senior senator from Connecticut since 2011. With a net worth exceeding $100 million, he is among the wealthiest senators and a member of the Democratic Party.From 1991 until 2011, he served as Connecticut's attorney general.

Conclusion

Top 15 Richest Politicians In America 2024: Huge Wealth Prior to Entering Politics
Richest Politicians In America in 2024

In the realm of American politics, a distinct phenomenon has arisen concerning the wealth and financial resources of politicians in positions of influence. These renowned individuals amassed substantial wealth prior to entering the realm of politics, as well as the capacity to rally support and secure sponsorship through various means.

According to data from Visualcapitalist and Finbold, the wealthiest politicians in America collectively possess assets worth billions of dollars. The majority of individuals on the list are Republican politicians.

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