A Diamond Worth $20,000; Jill Biden Received The Most Expensive Gift From PM Modi In 2023 (X image@1vinci6le)
Washington DC, US: As per an annual accounting report, Joe Biden and his family were given tens of thousands of dollars in gifts from foreign leaders in 2023. The report was published by the State Department on Thursday, with the first lady, Jill Biden, receiving the single most expensive present: a $20,000 diamond from Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi.
The 7.5-carat diamond from the PM was easily the most costly gift presented to any member of the first family in 2023. Jill Biden also received a brooch valued at $14,063 from the Ukrainian ambassador to the US and a bracelet, brooch, and photograph album worth $4,510 from the president and first lady of Egypt.
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Biden also received a number of valuable presents, including a commemorative photo album valued at $7,100 from South Korea’s recently impeached president, Yoon Suk Yeol; a $3,495 statue of Mongolian warriors from the Mongolian prime minister; 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 Ukrainian president, Volodymyr Zelenskyy.
The US Federal law requires executive branch officials to declare gifts they receive from foreign leaders and counterparts that have an estimated value of more than $480. Many of the gifts that meet that threshold are relatively modest. The more expensive gifts are typically—but not always—transferred to the National Archives or put on official displays. The recipient can also buy the gifts from the US government at their market value. However, such moves are usually rare, especially with the high-end items.
As per the state department document, the $20,000 diamond was retained for official use in the White House East Wing. At the same time, the other gifts to the president and first lady were sent to the archives.
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According to the state department’s office of protocol, several employees of the CIA reported receiving lavish gifts of watches, perfume, and jewellery, nearly all of which were destroyed. The gifts destroyed were worth more than $132,000 combined.
The CIA director, William Burns, received an $18,000 astrograph, which is a telescope and astrological camera, from a foreign source whose identity is classified. That is being transferred to the General Services Administration. But Burns reported receiving and destroying an $11,000 Omega watch, while numerous others did the same with luxury timepieces, as per media reports.
(With inputs from agencies)
