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First Lady Jill Biden received the most extravagant gift among the tens of thousands of dollars in presents given to the Biden family by foreign leaders in 2023, according to an annual report from the State Department.
Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi gifted her a stunning 7.5-carat diamond valued at $20,000, making it the priciest present received by any member of the first family last year.
The diamond wasn’t the only notable gift for Jill Biden. She also received a brooch worth $14,063 from the Ukrainian ambassador to the U.S. and a set comprising a bracelet, a brooch, and a photo album valued at $4,510 from Egypt's president and first lady.
President Joe Biden himself was not left out. Among the costly presents he received were a commemorative photo album valued at $7,100 from South Korea’s impeached President Suk Yeol Yoon, a $3,495 statue of Mongolian warriors from Mongolia’s prime minister, a $3,300 silver bowl from the Sultan of Brunei, a $3,160 sterling silver tray from Israel’s president, and a collage worth $2,400 from Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy.
Under U.S. federal law, executive branch officials must declare gifts valued at more than $480 received from foreign leaders or counterparts. While many of the declared gifts are modest, the more extravagant ones are often transferred to the National Archives or displayed officially.
The $20,000 diamond gifted to Jill Biden has been retained for official use in the White House East Wing, according to the State Department. Vanessa Valdivia, Jill Biden’s spokesperson, confirmed that the diamond would be turned over to the archives after the Bidens leave office, though she did not clarify its current use.
Recipients of these gifts do have the option to purchase them from the U.S. government at their market value, but such transactions are rare, particularly for high-end items. Most expensive gifts are either archived or destroyed.
The report from the State Department’s Office of Protocol also detailed luxurious items received by CIA employees. The report highlights that many of these gifts—valued at over $132,000 collectively—were destroyed.
CIA Director William Burns, for instance, received an $18,000 astrograph (a telescope and astrological camera) from a foreign source, which was transferred to the General Services Administration. However, Burns reported receiving and destroying an $11,000 Omega watch.
Several other CIA employees also reported lavish gifts. Among them were Omega Seamaster Aqua Terra and ladies’ Omega Constellation watches, a diamond necklace, earrings, a bracelet, and a ring collectively valued at $65,100.
Another reported a men’s Yacht Master II Rolex Oyster Perpetual watch worth $18,700, while two others received a lady’s Rolex Oyster Datejust watch ($12,500) and a Rolex Air King watch ($7,450). All these items were destroyed, according to the report.
One employee logged receiving a collection of Amouage perfumes valued at $10,670, though its destruction remains pending.
Additionally, a $30,000 women’s jewelry set—including a necklace, bracelet, ring, and earrings—from Libyan jeweler Al Grew was also destroyed.
The report underscores how foreign leaders often present extravagant gifts to U.S. officials, but federal rules ensure strict transparency about their handling. For gifts deemed too valuable or sensitive, destruction or transfer to appropriate authorities is a common course of action.
