PM Modi’s $20,000 diamond to Jill Biden was the most expensive gift White House got in 2023

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

In 2023, United States President Joe Biden and his family received numerous gifts from foreign leaders, with First Lady Jill Biden receiving the most valuable item: a 7.5-carat diamond valued at $20,000 from Prime Minister Narendra Modi.

Other notable gifts she received included a $14,063 brooch from Ukraine’s ambassador to the US and a collection of items worth $4,510, including a bracelet, brooch, and photo album, from Egypt’s president and first lady, Associated Press reported citing an annual accounting published by the State Department on Thursday.

The diamond, presented by PM Modi, has been retained for official use in the White House East Wing, while the other gifts that Joe and Jill Biden received were sent to the archives.

Here’s what US President Joe Biden received:

A number of expensive presents were given to Joe Biden as well, including a commemorative photo album valued at $7,100 from South Korea's recently impeached President Suk Yeol Yoon, 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 Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy.

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, according to the AP report. Many of the gifts that meet that threshold are relatively modest, and the more expensive ones are typically - but not always - transferred to the National Archives or put on official displays.

Recipients also have the option to purchase the gift from the US government at its market value, although that is rare, particularly with high-end items.

Meanwhile, several employees of the CIA also reported receiving lavish gifts including watches, perfume and jewellery, nearly all of which were destroyed. Of the gifts destroyed, they were worth more than $132,000 combined.