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.
9. Behgjet Pacolli
A former president of Kosova, Behgjet Pacolli has also served as deputy prime minister and minister of foreign affairs. He is the majority shareholder of Mabetex Group, a Swiss-based construction and civil engineering company, which is repsonsible for the lion's share of his estimated fortune of $900 million. | AFP via Getty Images
10. Ilham Aliyev
Azerbaijan President Ilham Aliyev has served in the position since 2003. His family have made most of their cash through supposedly state-owned businesses, including banks, construction firms and telecommunications firms. They also partially own the country's oil and gas industries. It means he has a personal fortune of around $900 million. | Getty Images
11. Rishi Sunak
Rishi Sunak may no longer be British Prime Minister, but he's still one of the world's richest politicans. The majority of his fortune actually comes from his wife - British-Indian heiress Akshata Murty, who is the daughter of IT billionaire N.R. Narayana Murthy. The MP for Richmond and Northallerton is estimated to be worth around $800 million. | Getty Images
12. Horacio Cartes
Horacio Cartes is the current president of Paraguay, who previously served in the role from 2013-2018. His fortune of around $500 million comes from a range of industries, including tobacco, soft drinks, meat production and banking. | Getty Images