When it comes to making a huge amount of money, being in charge of a country is often not a bad place to start.
Presidents and Prime Ministers are often fabulously wealthy, with some making their fortune before taking office - the money can come in handy to smooth the climb up the political ladder.
However when it comes to the world’s richest political leaders, it’s also common to see their position being used to generate money - and not always in an entirely honest way.
Others simply inherit both power and financial security from parents in non-democratic parts of the world - with no need for the inconveniece of an election.
Here are the 12 wealthiest politicians in the world in 2025 according to Celebrity Net Worth.
5. Bill Haslam
Former Mayor of Knoxville and Governor of Tennessee, Bill Haslam is the co-owner of America's largest chain of convenience stores and petrol stations. He's also the co-owner of the minor league baseball team the Tennessee Smokies. He has an estimated fortune of $2.1 billion. | Getty Images
6. Nawaz Sharif
The longest serving Prime Minister in the history of Pakistan, Nawaz Sharif has served three non-consecutive terms - most recently from 2013-2017. Much of his wealth comes from his involvement in the steel construction industry. He's worth around $1.6 billion. | Getty Images
7. Bashar al-Assad
President of Syria since 2000, Bashar al-Assad inherited the job from his father. His family controls at least 60 per cent of the economy of Syria, meaning he has a net worth of around $1.5 billion. | AFP via Getty Images
8. Omar al-Bashir
Former President of Sudan Omar al-Bashir headed up his country from 1989 until 2019 when he was a casualty of huge anti-protests and a coup. Although he negotiated an end to the second Sudanese civil war in 2004, violence has continued to blight the country. What hasn't been blighted is his bank balance, thought to stand at around $1 billion. | AFP via Getty Images