Jill Biden receives $20,000 Diamond from PM Modi as 2023's most lavish gift

In 2023, one of the most notable and expensive gifts received by Jill Biden, the First Lady of the United States, came from India's Prime Minister, Narendra Modi. The gift was a 7.5-carat diamond, valued at a staggering $20,000. This gift was the most costly among many presented to the Biden family that year, according to the U.S. State Department’s annual accounting report. The diamond, which is now kept in the White House East Wing for official use, is expected to be transferred to the U.S. National Archives once President Joe Biden’s term in office concludes.

The gift and its significance

The $20,000 diamond stands out as the most expensive gift that Jill Biden received in 2023. It was among several presents that President Joe Biden and his family received from foreign dignitaries throughout the year. The gem was specifically presented by Prime Minister Modi and was later placed in a prominent area within the White House for official purposes. However, the diamond’s usage remains unspecified by a spokesperson for Jill Biden, who confirmed that it would be transferred to the U.S. National Archives after President Biden leaves office.

In addition to the diamond, Jill Biden also received several other gifts of notable value. These include a brooch worth over $14,000 from the Ukrainian ambassador to the U.S. and a bracelet, brooch, and photo album worth around $4,500 from the president and first lady of Egypt. While the diamond may have taken center stage in terms of monetary value, these other gifts further contribute to the wealth of presents exchanged between foreign leaders and the first family.

While Jill Biden’s $20,000 diamond was the priciest gift she received, President Joe Biden was also the recipient of numerous expensive items. Among these gifts, one of the most notable was a commemorative photo album from South Korea’s recently impeached President, Suk Yeol Yoon, valued at $7,100. This album, along with several other presents, was given to President Biden by foreign leaders, demonstrating the diplomatic relationships the U.S. maintains with various nations.

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In addition to the South Korean album, President Biden also received a statue from the Prime Minister of Mongolia, depicting Mongolian warriors. The statue was worth approximately $3,500. He was also given a silver bowl valued at $3,300 by the Sultan of Brunei and a sterling silver tray worth $3,160 from the President of Israel. Another significant gift came from Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, who gave President Biden a $2,400 collage.

Gift guidelines and legal requirements

Under U.S. federal law, officials in the executive branch, including the President and the First Lady, are required to declare any gifts received from foreign leaders if the value exceeds $480. This ensures transparency in the gifting process and allows for accountability, particularly when the gifts are of high monetary or cultural value. The law mandates that these gifts be documented, and when appropriate, they are either added to the National Archives or displayed publicly.

The $20,000 diamond given to Jill Biden, being the most expensive, is set to be transferred to the National Archives after President Biden's term. This is a common practice for high-value gifts that are considered significant either for their historical relevance or their connection to international diplomacy.

The State Department’s report on gifts from foreign leaders also highlighted several costly presents received by officials from other U.S. government agencies. For instance, CIA Director William Burns received an $18,000 astrograph, a gift from an unnamed foreign source. An astrograph is a specialized telescope and astrological camera, and this gift will be moved to the General Services Administration (GSA), a U.S. agency responsible for managing government property.

However, not all gifts received by U.S. officials are kept. According to the State Department’s Office of Protocol, several expensive gifts, including watches, jewelry, and perfume, were destroyed. For example, CIA officials reported receiving gifts such as Omega watches, which were destroyed to comply with government policies. One of the destroyed gifts included an Omega watch valued at $11,000, which had been gifted to CIA Director Burns. Additionally, several other luxury items, including a women’s $30,000 jewelry set from a Libyan jeweler, were also destroyed.

The practice of destroying certain high-value gifts is part of a broader policy that aims to prevent any potential conflicts of interest or ethical concerns. While U.S. officials can accept gifts, there is a legal framework in place that ensures the appropriate handling of such items, particularly when they are luxurious or extravagant. The destruction of expensive gifts is common for items that may be deemed inappropriate to keep due to their high value, or when they might be seen as influencing decision-making or compromising the integrity of the official.

For example, several CIA employees received Rolex watches and other luxury items that were valued at tens of thousands of dollars. These were also destroyed in accordance with U.S. government policy. Watches worth over $18,000, including the men’s Yacht Master II Rolex, and various other luxury items, were reported as destroyed in the State Department’s document.

In addition, a luxury perfume collection worth over $10,000 was also received by an employee but has not yet been destroyed. These cases underline the strict guidelines governing the acceptance and disposal of foreign gifts in the U.S. government.

The policy of reporting and destroying expensive gifts also applies to other government agencies besides the State Department, including intelligence agencies like the CIA. The items that are reported and destroyed often include watches, jewelry, and perfume, all of which are seen as too extravagant for government employees to retain. The destruction of such gifts ensures that no official is placed in a situation where their impartiality could be questioned.

For government officials, particularly those in sensitive positions such as the CIA, there is always a risk that lavish gifts could be perceived as a form of bribery or influence. This makes it essential for the U.S. government to have clear and firm rules regarding the acceptance and disposal of such gifts.

The $20,000 diamond presented to Jill Biden by Prime Minister Narendra Modi is a striking example of the diplomatic gifts exchanged between world leaders. While the diamond will eventually become part of the U.S. National Archives, it serves as a symbol of the strong ties between the United States and India. Additionally, the broader practice of receiving and handling expensive gifts highlights the complexity of international relations and the legal frameworks in place to ensure ethical governance. For the Biden family, the diamond remains one of the most significant and costly gifts received in 2023, but its eventual fate, along with many other gifts, will be determined by U.S. government regulations and protocols.

The handling of such gifts, whether through display, transfer to the archives, or destruction, reflects the careful attention the U.S. government places on ensuring transparency, fairness, and the avoidance of conflicts of interest in its diplomatic and government operations.