Bernie Sanders: How a $174K/Year Senator Built a $3M Net Worth

Vermont’s longest-serving independent just broke down his wealth portfolio, and it’s not what you’d expect from a guy who constantly calls out billionaires.

The Numbers:

• Current net worth: $3M
• Senate salary: $174K/year (unchanged since 2009)
• 17 years in Senate = $2.96M earned
• Prior 16 years in House: $2.44M

Where the Real Money Came From: Books are Sanders’ financial MVP. Since 2011, he’s pulled in $2.5M from book deals—averaging $227K/year. In 2022 alone, Penguin Random House paid him $170K in royalties, basically matching his entire Senate paycheck.

Real Estate Game:

• Burlington, Vermont home: $708K (still mortgaged)
• Lakefront cabin in North Hero: $930K (2016 purchase)
• Sold his D.C. townhouse in 2021 for $422K

The Irony: Sanders has been vocal about his disdain for politicians cashing huge speaking fees. Compare: he earned $1,867 from three 2015 speeches vs. Hillary Clinton’s $675K from Goldman Sachs that same year.

So yeah, Bernie’s a millionaire—but his millions came from hustling books and decades of public service, not corporate gigs. Make of that what you will.