First Lady Jill Biden has been showered with gifts during her husband's tenure, receiving donations of small items worth tens of thousands of dollars in 2023 alone, including $20,000 worth of diamonds from Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi. was.
Mr. Modi's generosity came during his first-ever state visit to the country, where he was hosted by outgoing President Joe Biden and his wife. The Prime Minister presented the President with a handmade sandalwood box as an official gift.
The diamond was highlighted in the State Department's annual financial report released Thursday by The Associated Press. report. The outlet went on to list some of the perks handed out to the duo.
The 7.5 carat diamond is Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi This was undoubtedly the most expensive gift given to the first family in 2023, but she also received a brooch worth $14,063 from the Ukrainian ambassador to the United States, and a $4,510 brooch from the president and first lady. They also received substantial bracelets, brooches, and photo albums. of egypt.
The US president himself recently received a number of expensive gifts from South Korea, including a commemorative photo album worth $7,100. Impeachment of President Yun Seok-yuea $3,495 Mongolian warrior statue from the Prime Minister of Mongolia, a $3,300 silver bowl from the Sultan of Brunei, a $3,160 sterling silver tray from the President of Israel, and a collage worth $2,400 from the Sultan of Brunei. President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelensky.
Federal law requires executive branch officials to declare gifts received from foreign leaders or counterparts with an estimated value of more than $480.
The $20,000 diamond was kept in the East Wing of the White House for official use, while other gifts to the president and first lady were sent to the archives, according to State Department documents.
Jill Biden's spokeswoman Vanessa Valdivia said the diamond will be turned over to the archives after Biden leaves office. She did not say what it was used for.
