Source of Wealth: inheritance, plantations
The first president was also likely the richest in relative terms, perhaps the only commander in chief of his day who would have made the Forbes 400 Richest in America. Washington came from a wealthy planter family, and then married the widow Martha Dandridge Custis, who was also extremely rich. Washington's wealth was one of the reasons he was called on to lead the American Revolution--his military and political acumen was a bonus. Like many planters Washington could be cash poor, and according to Robert F. Jones, author of George Washington: Ordinary Man, Extraordinary Leader, he lost money while president, spending more on housing and entertainment than his $25,000 presidential salary. On his death, in 1799, Washington's estate was valued in excess of $500,000. His main plantation at Mount Vernon had 300 slaves. Half of those belonged to Washington, who freed them upon his death.
