Barack Obama, Author and 44th U.S. President, $70 million

Former President Barack Obama’s story is a popular one, and it remains largely inspirational. Obama was never one to be so concerned about money, although the need was always rearing its head. Before we even dreamed of addressing him as Mr. President, he had once scooped ice cream for a living, and at some point, his wife was the breadwinner of their family.

It was after his political career took flight that money started coming in. His books started gaining more recognition, and he received millions in royalties from those bestsellers, including newer productions like his autobiography in 2020, “A Promised Land.”