George H.W. Bush Leaves Behind a Political Dynasty and Impressive Fortune
- Former president George H.W. Bush died on Friday, Nov. 30.
- The former president’s net worth was as much as $25 million at the time of his death.
- Stock markets will be closed on Wednesday, Dec. 5 in honor of Bush.
George H.W. Bush, the 41st president of the United States of America, passed away the evening of Friday, Nov. 30, at age 94. This is the second member of the Bush dynasty lost this year — the other was Bush’s wife Barbara, who died in April 2018. To honor Bush’s passing, both the Nasdaq and New York Stock Exchange will be closed on Dec. 5.
In addition to his presidential past, the elder Bush also leaves behind a substantial financial legacy. Keep reading to find out the former president’s net worth, and how he made his millions.
George H.W. Bush Net Worth: $25M
Former president George H.W. Bush’s net worth was around $25 million at the time of his death, according to Celebrity Net Worth. Other sources give a more conservative estimate at $23 million.
The Bushes are considered an “old money” family. Samuel Prescott Bush, H.W. Bush’s grandfather, controlled the Buckeye Steel Castings Company, which was one of the largest steel foundries in the world. H.W. Bush received little direct inheritance from his father Prescott Bush, but a privileged upbringing with elite connections still paved the way for the family’s fortune.
Where Are They Now: What’s Keeping Past Presidents and Vice Presidents Wealthy?
After earning an economics degree from Yale in 1948, H.W. Bush took a job with oil and energy company Dresser Industries, which was owned by a family friend. Shortly after his appointment with Dresser, H.W. Bush decided to strike out on his own in the early 1950s. He received $350,000 from his father and uncle — worth about $3 million today — to start his own oil drilling business in the 1950s. Bush continued to build his wealth in oil until 1966 when he was elected to Congress. He began selling off parts of his company for more than $1 million. His connections in the oil business were likely large sources of wealth for him and his family.
Despite his wealth, H.W. Bush was far from the wealthiest president. Current president Donald Trump commands a net worth of $3.1 billion as of September 2018, according to Forbes. Along with that, former president Bill Clinton is estimated to be worth $80 million and Barack Obama’s net worth is estimated at $40 million, according to Celebrity Net Worth.
Related: The Richest and Poorest US Presidents
The Bush Dynasty
The Bush family is considered a modern political dynasty, having produced two presidents and a few other political figures:
- Prescott Sheldon Bush: H.W. Bush’s father, a senator from Connecticut
- George H.W. Bush: 41st president of the United States, former vice president under Ronald Reagan
- Barbara Bush: Former first lady of the White House, wife to George H.W. Bush
- George W. Bush: 43rd president of the United States
- Laura Bush: Former first lady of the White House, wife to George W. Bush
- Jeb Bush: W. Bush’s younger brother, former governor of Florida
However, H.W. Bush’s legacy is not without controversy. Accusations of racism and using propaganda to justify invading Iraq in the early ’90s were cornerstone arguments against his presidency. He was also recently accused of sexual harassment by several women.
Click through to read about the Bush family, the Trumps and more of the wealthiest presidential families.
More on Politicians
- How Nancy Pelosi Has Earned Millions as She Aims to Be Speaker of the House Once More
- Will Ted Cruz’s Wealth Keep Growing After Securing Another Term?
- Elizabeth Warren’s Book Royalties Are Nearly Three Times Her Senate Salary
- Watch: The Real Cost to Live Like Melania Trump
We make money easy. Get weekly email updates, including expert advice to help you Live Richer™.
