There are two types of wealthy politicians – those who built their fortune before taking office and those who accumulated their wealth while in power.
Leading a country often opens doors to huge financial opportunities, with some leaders using their position to grow their assets.
Others are born into privilege, inheriting both political power and enormous wealth without ever facing an election.
One leader who stands out is Russian President Vladimir Putin, widely believed to be the richest politician in the world.
According to Fortune, his wealth stands at around £150 billion – far surpassing Donald Trump’s £6 billion net worth.
Despite claiming to live modestly on an official salary of around £114,000 a year, Putin is said to have access to luxury homes, private jets, and a £566 million superyacht.
Official Kremlin records list his possessions as a modest apartment, a trailer, and three cars, but critics believe this barely scratches the surface of his true assets.
Some experts, such as financier Bill Browder, suggest Putin’s fortune was built by pressuring Russia’s wealthiest figures (oligarchs) into handing over shares in lucrative companies under the threat of imprisonment.
Others believe he benefits from lucrative government contracts awarded to close allies, who return a portion of their profits to him.
Meanwhile, some theories argue that Putin’s wealth may not be about the actual money he holds but about projecting power through pretending that he’s extremely rich.
In 2016, the Panama Papers – a major leak of offshore financial records – hinted at a vast secret network linked to Putin’s inner circle.
The documents revealed hidden deals worth £1.6 billion, showing how his closest associates profited from business deals that seemed impossible without his influence.
Following Russia’s invasion of Ukraine in 2022, Western nations imposed sanctions directly targeting Putin and his elite network.
However, reports suggest the sanctions have had limited impact, as Russia’s wealthiest citizens reportedly gained £58 billion in a single year due to war-driven economic growth.
Critics also argue that Putin’s lifestyle remains unaffected, with some reports linking him to properties like the $1 billion “Putin’s Palace” and other high-value assets.
Despite decades of investigation, the true scale of Putin’s fortune remains a mystery.