WORLD NEWS
What is Vladimir Putin’s net worth?
Various official sources state that the Russian president’s annual salary is $118,000 per year, but Putin also owns several properties and company stakes.
Former Fox News host Tucker Carlson has traveled to Russia to interview President Vladimir Putin. There are few English-language interviewers with the Russian leader, giving viewers a unique look into President Putin’s mind. However, giving any world leader the opportunity to speak freely without much pushback or fact-checking is not always a very effective way to establish a basic set of facts about a sensitive conflict or topic.
Putin’s income for serving as president
Euro News reported that 2018 President Putin earned 8.6 million rubles, or $128,290. This salary is given for his role in running the affairs of the state. Apart from his salary, he is also provided with an apartment in the heart of Moscow and three official cars, two of which are Soviet-era models. Additionally, he also has an official residence.
Since the invasion, the value of the Russian currency has declined significantly, reaching a historic low against the dollar. Before the escalation in the war between Russia and Ukraine, one USD was worth 77 rubles. The exchange currently stands at USD to 91 rubles. However, during the interview, the Russian leader attempted to show that the Russian economy stood resilient against the sanctions imposed by NATO members and aligned countries.
Putin’s total assets estimated at $40 billion
It is important to distinguish between what Putin earns as Russian president and his wealth. Various sources report different figures, but political analyst Stanislav Belkovsky says that Putin has significant holdings in energy and commodities companies such as Gazprom, Surgutneftegas, and Gunvor. As a result, his total personal wealth is estimated to exceed $40 billion. His position within the government has allowed him to amass great wealth as his access to power to pick winners and losers in the Russian economy has been described as an oligopoly where very few sellers control the market of critical goods.
Putin was also one of the subjects listed in the Panama Papers, and it was reported that much of his wealth is held by frontmen, such as the cellist and businessman Sergei Roldugin, a childhood friend of the Russian leader. One of the most expensive assets thought to belong to the Putin family is a superyacht worth more than $100 million and a palace on the shores of the Black Sea.