In 2023, President Joe Biden and first lady Jill Biden received a variety of lavish gifts from foreign leaders, as reported by the State Department. The most notable present was a 7.5-carat diamond valued at $20,000 from Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi, given to Jill Biden. Additionally, she received a brooch worth $14,063 from the Ukrainian ambassador and gifts totaling $4,510 from the president and first lady of Egypt.
President Biden also received several expensive gifts, including a $7,100 photo album from South Korea's former President, a $3,495 statue 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 $2,400 collage from the Ukrainian President.
Under federal law, executive branch officials must disclose gifts from foreign leaders exceeding $480. While some gifts are kept for official use, others are transferred to the National Archives or put on display. The $20,000 diamond will be retained in the White House East Wing until the Bidens leave office, after which it will be sent to the archives.
Employees of the CIA also reported receiving extravagant gifts, with many opting to destroy items such as watches, perfume, and jewelry. CIA Director William Burns received an $18,000 astrograph, while other employees destroyed luxury watches and jewelry items worth over $132,000 combined.
One employee received a $30,000 women's jewelry set from a Libyan jeweler, while others reported destroying Rolex watches valued at thousands of dollars each. The destruction of a collection of Amouage Perfume worth $10,670 is pending.
