In the world we live in, having ample money in the bank account or other assets can be advantageous. This applies to politicians as well, even though they may not necessarily be required to be rich. Having money does not guarantee success in the political world, but it can definitely be helpful. Political campaigns run into millions of dollars, which has to be funded by someone. To understand what type of influence money has in the political space, here’s a quick look at some of the richest politicians in the world.
Silvio Berlusconi – An Italian politician and media tycoon, Silvio Berlusconi has been chosen as the prime minister of Italy for four governments. His net worth is USD 7.8 billion. He owns controlling stake in Mediaset, the largest commercial broadcaster in Italy.
Terry Gou – A Taiwanese businessman, Terry Gou owns Foxconn, the largest contract manufacturer of electronic goods in the world. Foxconn has production centers in various countries and employs more than 1.2 million people. Terry Gou had run for 2020 presidential election, but later withdrew after finishing second in the primary. His wealth is USD 7.9 billion.
Suleyman Kerimov – A Russian politician, businessman and philanthropist, Suleyman Kerimov has net worth of USD 24 billion. He has made most of his money via his investment in Polyus Gold, which is the largest gold producer in Russia.
Michael Bloomberg – A politician, businessman, author and philanthropist, Michael Bloomberg net worth is USD 59 billion. He owns Bloomberg L.P., a business empire that comprises several entities such as Bloomberg Radio, Bloomberg Tradebook, Bloomberg Message and Bloomberg News. Bloomberg had run for 2020 US Presidential election, but could not achieve desired results. This shows that money does not guarantee success in political sphere.
Vladimir Putin – Russian President Vladimir Putin is known for his secretive lifestyle including his finances. As of now, several people have tried assessing Putin’s net worth. Most of these figures vary, ranging from USD 30 billion to USD 200 billion. It is alleged that much of this money is invested in the West and very difficult to trace to its original owner. If we consider these assessments as true, then Vladimir Putin is the richest politician in the world.
So, who do you prefer, a rich politician or an average middle class guy? Who will better serve your needs? These are questions that you need to ask before you cast your vote. Money can make an individual corrupt, but not everyone who is rich can be classified as such. Similarly, not every ordinary politician can be said to be sacrosanct. You have to analyze the candidates in more detail and avoid the tendency to judge them based solely on their wealth. Your vote is invaluable, so it’s important to choose the right candidate.