PM Modi Gifts $20,000 Synthetic Diamond to Jill Biden, Retained for Official Use
During his June 2023 visit to the United States, Prime Minister Narendra Modi presented a remarkable 7.5-carat synthetic diamond to U.S. First Lady Jill Biden, marking it as the most expensive gift received by the U.S. First Family in 2023. Valued at $20,000, the diamond, produced and polished in Surat, has garnered significant attention.
However, due to official regulations, Jill Biden will not be able to personally use the luxury gift. The diamond will be retained for official use in the White House East Wing and will eventually be handed over to the National Archives when the Bidens leave office. Under U.S. law, gifts from foreign officials exceeding $480 must be declared, and high-value items are either displayed publicly or transferred to the National Archives.
The First Lady will have the option to “purchase” the diamond at its market value after leaving office, though such cases are rare, particularly with high-end items. Other gifts received by Jill Biden in 2023 included a $14,063 brooch from Ukraine’s ambassador and a collection of items from Egypt valued at $4,510.
President Joe Biden also received several luxury gifts, including a $7,100 photo album from South Korea’s former president and a $3,495 statue from Mongolia’s Prime Minister.
