Indian PM gifted Jill Biden $20K diamond, the most expensive gift from a foreign leader of 2023

The State Department on Thursday revealed that first lady Jill Biden received the most expensive gift for the first family in 2023, which was a $20,000 diamond from Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi.

Officials in the Executive Branch are required by federal law to disclose gifts from foreign leaders or their counterparts, if the items are worth more than $480. Those that exceed the gift limit are usually turned over to National Archives or put on official displays, but the recipient does have the option to purchase the gift at its market value themselves if desired.

Biden also received a brooch valued at $14,063 from the Ukrainian ambassador, and a bracelet, brooch, and photo album worth $4,510 from the president and first lady of Egypt, according to the Associated Press. 

President Joe Biden received a $7,100 commemorative photo album from former South Korean President Suk Yeol Yoon, a $3,495 statue of Mongolian warriors from its country's leader, a $3,300 silver bowl from the sultan of Brunei, a $3,160 sterling silver tray from the president of Israel, and a $2,400 collage from Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky.

The department said Jill Biden has retained the diamond for official use in the White House East Wing, but it will be given to the archives after the Bidens leave office later this month. All other items have already been given to the archives. 

The State Department also said several CIA employees have received luxurious items worth tens of thousands of dollars, including perfume, watches, and jewelry. All those items have been destroyed. 

Misty Severi is a news reporter for Just The News. You can follow her on X for more coverage.