Bernie Sanders, the democratic socialist senator from Vermont, is a fierce critic of the affluent in America. That’s a bit rich, considering he himself is well off. Sanders, 77, has, in fact, amassed an estimated $2.5 million fortune from real estate, investments, government pensions—and earnings from three books, including the 2016 hit Our Revolution: A Future to Believe In. “I wrote a best-selling book. If you write a best-selling book, you can be a millionaire, too,” he recently told the New York Times, striking a downright Trumpian note.
How Bernie Sanders Built His Wealth
Since his bid for the Democratic nomination raised his profile in 2016, Sanders has released a book a year. In all, he has pulled in at least $1.7 million from the series, starting with Our Revolution (220,000 copies sold, according to industry tracker NPD BookScan) and then Bernie Sanders Guide to Political Revolution (27,000) and finally Where We Go From Here: Two Years in the Resistance (26,000).
In addition to the books are his government pay and pension accounts. Sanders has collected a six-figure annual salary since he joined Congress in 1991, some of which he and his wife plowed into personal real estate. Then there are his pensions, which are based on income and years of service. With 28 years in office and a current salary of $174,000, Sanders is entitled to around $73,000 a year from the federal government for the rest of his life.
Before he was elected to Congress, Sanders ran a small business producing filmstrips on New England history for schools and served as mayor of Burlington, Vermont. From his time running Burlington, he gets another $428 a month from a city pension, which is worth roughly $50,000.
As with many Americans, the bulk of Sanders’ net worth is tied up in his home. Unlike most Americans, however, he owns three. In Burlington, he keeps a four-bedroom, two-and-a-half-bath colonial that he purchased in 2009 for $405,000. In D.C., Sanders owns a row house a short walk from the Capitol, which he bought in 2007 for $489,000. His vacation pad, however, was paid for in cash. Sanders made headlines when he snapped up a Vermont summer home for $575,000 less than two months after ending the 2016 campaign built on lambasting the rich.
Even after the big purchases, the couple has around $500,000 in cash and investments, including three retirement accounts owned by Jane Sanders.
Is Bernie Sanders a Hypocrite?
What does Sanders, the scourge of the wealthy, have to say about his own wealth? He is uncharacteristically silent: A Sanders spokesman didn’t respond to repeated requests for comment.
With the millions piling up, Bernie Sanders could have a new problem to worry about: Bernie Sanders. In January, he proposed new taxes on “the wealthiest 0.2 percent of Americans,” including a 45% tax on estates worth between $3.5 million and $10 million. Given his recent success, that tax might soon apply to his own fortune.
Bernie Sanders Net Worth Table
| Source of Wealth | Estimated Value |
|---|---|
| Book Earnings | $1.7 million |
| Government Salary and Pensions | $73,000 per year |
| Real Estate | $1.4 million |
| Cash and Investments | $500,000 |
| Total Net Worth | $2.5 million |
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
1. How much is Bernie Sanders worth?
Bernie Sanders’ net worth is estimated to be around $2.5 million.
2. How did Bernie Sanders make his money?
Bernie Sanders made his money through various sources, including book earnings, government salary and pensions, real estate investments, and cash and investments.
3. How much money did Bernie Sanders make from his books?
Bernie Sanders has made at least $1.7 million from his book series, which includes Our Revolution, Bernie Sanders Guide to Political Revolution, and Where We Go From Here: Two Years in the Resistance.
4. Does Bernie Sanders own multiple homes?
Yes, Bernie Sanders owns three homes: a four-bedroom colonial in Burlington, Vermont, a row house in Washington D.C., and a vacation home in Vermont.
5. Is Bernie Sanders a hypocrite for criticizing the wealthy while being wealthy himself?
Some people view Bernie Sanders as a hypocrite for criticizing the wealthy while having a significant net worth. However, others argue that his wealth does not undermine his message of economic justice and equality.