In 2023, Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi gifted the First Lady of the United States, Jill Biden, a 7.5-carat diamond valued at USD 20,000. This gift surpassed all other presents received by the Biden family from foreign leaders, and was retained for official use in the White House East Wing. Other notable gifts received by the Bidens included a brooch and photo album from Egyptian leaders, and high-value items like a commemorative album and statue from South Korea and Mongolia respectively.
Jill Biden's Notable Gifts as First Lady
Background
Jill Biden has been the First Lady of the United States since January 2021, after her husband, Joe Biden, was inaugurated as President. In this capacity, she has received numerous gifts from foreign leaders, a common practice in diplomacy.
2023 Gift from Indian Prime Minister
One of the most notable gifts received by Jill Biden during her time as First Lady was a 7.5-carat diamond valued at USD 20,000 from Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi. This gift was exceptional for its high value and was retained for official use in the White House East Wing.
Other Notable Gifts
In addition to the diamond from India, Jill Biden has received other notable gifts from foreign leaders, including:
These gifts are often considered symbols of friendship and goodwill between the United States and the countries that bestow them.
Top 5 FAQs
Gifts from foreign leaders are a common diplomatic gesture to show appreciation and strengthen ties between countries.
Gifts received by the First Lady are considered federal property and are kept in a collection maintained by the National Archives and Records Administration.
When a First Lady leaves office, she typically donates a portion of her gifts to museums or libraries, while others are returned to the original donors or archived by the National Archives.
The most expensive gift received by a First Lady in recent history was a 12-carat blue diamond necklace valued at USD 13.5 million, gifted to Melania Trump by the First Lady of China in 2017.
First Ladies are not allowed to sell or profit from the gifts they receive while in office. Federal law prohibits the sale of federal property without proper authorization.
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