WASHINGTON – President Joe Biden and his family received tens of thousands of dollars in gifts from foreign leaders in 2023, according to an annual report released by the State Department on Thursday, with first lady Jill Biden receiving the single most expensive gift: a $20,000 diamond from India’s leader.
The 7.5-carat diamond from Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi was easily the most expensive gift given to any member of the first family in 2023, though she also received a brooch valued at $14,063 from the Ukrainian ambassador to the United States and a bracelet, brooch, and photograph album valued at $4,510 from Egypt’s president and first lady.
The US president received a number of expensive gifts, including a $7,100 commemorative photo album from South Korea’s recently impeached President Suk Yeol Yoon, a $3,495 statue of Mongolian warriors from the Mongolian prime minister, a $3,300 silver bowl from Brunei’s Sultan, a $3,160 sterling silver tray from Israel’s President, and a $2,400 collage from Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy.
Federal law requires executive branch officials to declare gifts from foreign leaders and counterparts worth more than $480. Many of the gifts that meet that threshold are modest, and the more expensive ones are usually — but not always — transferred to the National Archives or displayed on official occasions.
According to a State Department document, the $20,000 diamond was kept for official use in the White House East Wing, while the rest of the president’s and first lady’s gifts were archived.
Vanessa Valdivia, a spokesperson for Jill Biden, stated that the diamond will be turned over to the archives once they leave office. She did not explain what it was used for.
Recipients can also choose to buy the gift from the US government at market value, though this is uncommon, especially with high-end items.
According to the State Department’s Office of Protocol, which compiles the list for publication in Friday’s Federal Register, several CIA employees reported receiving lavish gifts of watches, perfume, and jewelry, nearly all of which were destroyed. The total value of the destroyed gifts exceeded $132,000.
CIA Director William Burns received a $18,000 astrograph, which is a telescope and astrological camera, from a foreign source whose identity is unknown. This is being transferred to the General Services Administration. However, Burns reported receiving and destroying a $11,000 Omega watch, while many others did the same with luxury timepieces.
The CIA employees who reported gifts below the rank of director have not been identified, but one of them reported an Omega Seamaster Aqua Terra watch, a ladies Omega Constellation watch, a diamond necklace, earring bracelet, and ring worth $65,100.
According to the report, all of these were destroyed, as well as a $30,000 women’s jewelry set from Libyan jeweler Al Grew, which included a necklace, bracelet, ring, and earrings received by another CIA employee.
Another CIA employee reported receiving a men’s Yacht Master II Rolex Oyster Perpetual watch worth $18,700, a lady’s Rolex Oyster Datejust watch worth $12,500, and a $7,450 Rolex Air King watch. All three watches were destroyed, according to the list.
Another employee reported receiving a collection of expensive Amouage Perfume worth $10,670, the destruction of which is pending, according to the report.