Net Worth of Boris Johnson 2024
Boris Johnson’s estimated net worth is $6 million, he earns most of his wealth from political careers, speeches, his writing and sells his memoirs. He’s been well paid for work not directly related to politics too.
Assets and Wealth Breakdown
Boris Johnson has accumulated his multimillion-dollar fortune from a variety of sources over his career spanning politics, journalism, writing and public appearances.
Some of his notable assets and properties include:
- A £1.2 million townhouse in Camberwell he owns with his wife Carrie, which they rent out
- A 20% share in a property in Somerset worth around £250,000
- £1.65 million in cash and investments
- Six figure advances and royalties from his books about Winston Churchill and William Shakespeare
Below is a breakdown of his assets and net worth over the years:
| Year | Estimated Net Worth | Notable Income/Assets |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $5 million | Prime Minister salary, book royalties |
| 2020 | $6 million | Sale of Somerset property share, investments |
| 2021 | $7 million | Speaking fees, advances on memoirs |
In 2022, his net worth remains similar, derived from cumulative assets, work outside politics and family wealth. As a high profile politician, Boris Johnson will likely continue earning large sums from media appearances, speeches, books and other income sources.
How Boris Johnson Built His Wealth
Boris Johnson went to the prestigious Eton College, studied at Oxford University. His professional career began in journalism before entering politics.
Here are the key ways Boris Johnson has built his multimillion-dollar fortune over the decades:
Journalism and Column Writing
- Earned six figures a year for his column in The Daily Telegraph from 1999 to 2005
- Well-paid work published in GQ, The Spectator and other outlets
Books and Public Appearances
- Received a £500,000 advance for his book “The Churchill Factor” in 2014
- Earned fees up to £100,000 per public speech while London Mayor
Politics and Government Salaries
- Earned over £250,000 per year as Mayor of London from 2008 to 2016
- Paid £150,000 per year as Foreign Secretary from 2016 to 2018
- Entitled to £157,000 per year as Prime Minister
Investments and Asset Growth
- Benefited from rising London property prices, including his current £1.2 million home
- Has dividend income and shares in an English property worth around £250,000
- Media and speaking fees increased his wealth substantially pre-politics
Johnson also comes from an upper class background and family wealth, though he has boosted his own fortune significantly through high profile careers spanning over two decades in the public eye.
What is Boris Johnson’s Salary?
As UK Prime Minister from July 2019, Boris Johnson earns a salary of £157,000 per year as head of the British government. All British prime ministers are paid this salary according to the Ministerial and other Salaries Act passed in 1975, with minor subsequent increases.
This is over 5 times the median UK salary and 3.7 times median London salaries according to government statistics, putting Boris Johnson firmly in the top income bracket in the country.
As Prime Minister, Boris Johnson lives rent free at 10 Downing St in London. He also has an official country residence provided at Chequers in Buckinghamshire. These residences do not form part of his personal net wealth and must be vacated upon ceasing to be Prime Minister.
Here is a breakdown of key salaries Boris Johnson earned over his career:
- £133,611 per year as Mayor of London from 2008 to 2016
- £144,000 per year as Foreign Secretary in 2018
- £157,000 per year as Prime Minister since 2019
The above figures are just his official government wages. When speeches, book royalties and other income is included – particularly before entering politics – Boris Johnson’s annual earnings have been substantially higher.
How Did Boris Johnson Make His Money?
Boris Johnson’s millions have been amassed over a long career spanning journalism, writing, entertainment and politics. He is one of Britain’s most famous politicians and was able to earn large sums from public appearances, speeches and book deals even before entering the government.
Some key way he has earned multi-million dollar fortune include:
Politics and Public Office Salaries
As Mayor of London (2008-2016) and other political positions, Boris Johnson earned at least £3 million in salaries, likely more.
Journalism and Publishing
Boris Johnson earned six figures a year as a columnist for the Daily Telegraph until 2005. His history book advances and royalties total millions.
Speaking Fees and Appearances
Boris Johnson earned up to £100,000 per speech while Mayor. Private speeches, appearances and articles earned big sums pre-politics.
Property and Investments
Owns £1.2 million London home. Also owns 20% share in a £1 million English property generating rent and asset growth. And has received dividend payments from investments over the years.
Much of Boris Johnson’s wealth has come post-politics. However, the publicity and profile gained over decades in the public eye enabled him to generate large sums from books, media appearances and more prior to entering politics as well. Though this stopped on becoming Prime Minister.
What Properties and Assets Does Boris Johnson Own?
The key properties and assets Boris Johnson owns includes:
London Home
- £1.2 million five bedroom Victorian townhouse in Camberwell
- Owned jointly with wife Carrie Johnson
- Not primary residence, rented out
Somerset Part Ownership
- 20% share of a £1 million country property near Exmoor National Park
- Inherited the share from his father in 2021
- Generates rental and asset income
Other Assets
- Has dividend yielding stocks and investment funds worth over £200,000
- Reported to have received millions in book advance fees
- Also owns luxury cars and other undisclosed assets
Many believe Boris Johnson is set to get much wealthier after his term as Prime Minister ends, when he can again collect large fees for media appearances, speeches, books and consulting roles. This likely played a part in his decision to resign as party leader.
Investments, Stocks and Ventures
Much of Boris Johnson’s net worth comes from assets like property, investment funds and cash savings rather than direct stock investments or business ventures.
However, he has had some investments over the years, including:
VC Fund Investments
Little public information exists, but Boris Johnson is reported to have invested tens of thousands of pounds into a venture capital fund called Norfolk Capital Management in 2013.
Dividend Stocks
In 2010 declarations, he reported dividend income from stocks in medical firms Halosource and Afimmune worth several hundred pounds per year. Unclear whether he retains these holdings.
Ownership Stakes
Johnson inherited a 20% share in a partly rented Somerset country property from his father’s estate in 2021, worth around £250,000.
Given his non need to declare financial interests since 2020 and opaque nature of any investments, his exact portfolio composition is unknown publically.
But with millions in career earnings over the decades, property assets and savings, Boris Johnson likely has a sizeable and diversified investment portfolio generating both income and growth.
Controversies and Debates Over Wealth
Boris Johnson’s high net worth and privileged upbringing have caused some controversy and debates over the years, especially when imposing policies seen as detrimental to lower income Britons.
Wealth Perceptions and Connections
His wealthy background and Eton schooling causes resentment from some over his ability to relate to ordinary voters’ financial concerns.
Alleged Inappropriate Use of Party Donations
Faced scrutiny in 2000-2001 when he allegedly allowed a friend improper use of a £50,000 Conservative party donation for personal benefit, but was cleared by an internal investigation.
Property and Housing Market Policy
His home ownership attracts allegations of self interest and being out of touch when setting policies like weakening renters rights and reducing housing benefits.
However, much criticism tends to focus on his policies, character and competency rather than directly attacking his self-made wealth.
And his estimated £6 million net worth is relatively modest compared to leaders like Tony Blair or senior cabinet members. But he faces ongoing scrutiny over any indications his career decisions are influenced by personal enrichment rather than public duty.
Charity and Philanthropy
Boris Johnson has a mixed record on charitable giving and financial transparency over his career. His relatively high net worth has attracted criticism over a perceived lack of generosity.
Low Transparency
Boris Johnson has often been late filing financial disclosures. Since 2020 with more lenient rules as Prime Minister and earning income restrictions, his income, taxes and charitable donations are mostly private.
Previously Minimal Donations
Before politics, he regularly declared little to no charitable giving on tax returns despite high earnings. Though likely made undisclosed donations too.
Family Foundation Pledge
In late 2022, Boris Johnson and his wife Carrie were reported to be establishing a new Boris and Carrie Johnson Foundation focused on wildlife conservation. Suggesting philanthropy may increase as he transitions out of elected office.
Overall, while not obligated to detail his charitable giving history, Boris Johnson attracts lingering criticism over his seemingly low past donations to good causes relative to his estimated multimillion-dollar career wealth accumulation and privileged background.
Conclusion
In summary, Boris Johnson has accumulated a sizable multimillion-pound fortune, with an estimated net worth of over £6 million. The majority of his wealth has come from salaries earned in high profile political offices like Mayor of London and Prime Minister, combined with earnings from newspaper columns, best-selling history books and speaker fees prior to entering politics.
Assets like property have grown in value, further adding to his net worth. And scrutiny continues over his financial transparency and indications of self-interest versus public duty given his wealth and privileged background. However, the scale of his fortune remains modest relative to many other UK political leaders over the years since its origins trace more to high profile careers rather than inherited wealth or business dealings.
Going forward, Boris Johnson’s net worth will likely continue rising as he leverages fame and political connections to generate speaker, columnist and author earnings in transitions back to private life. But his long-term legacy will depend more on assessments of his political achievements and conduct while in office rather than personal financial wealth accumulation per se.
FAQ on Boris Johnson’s Net Worth and Wealth
How did Boris Johnson make his money?
Boris Johnson accumulated his $6 million dollar fortune over decades via salaries from political careers like Mayor of London and Prime Minister, author advances and royalties from best-selling books, fees from public speaking and newspaper columns, inherited family assets and investments in stocks and property.
What is Boris Johnson’s current salary?
As Prime Minister of the United Kingdom since 2019, Boris Johnson earns an annual salary of £157,000 paid by the British government. This is set by national law.
What property does Boris Johnson own?
The main property owned by Boris Johnson is a £1.2 million 5 bedroom Victorian London townhouse in Camberwell which he co-owns with his wife Carrie. He also co-inherited a 20% share in a partly rented £1 million country property in Somerset worth around £250k.
How did Boris Johnson become rich?
Boris Johnson became rich via a long career in journalism, writing, entertainment and politics spanning over 30 years in the public spotlight. Big salaries as Mayor of London and Prime Minister also boosted his wealth along with lucrative book deals and private speaking fees of up to £100k per speech.
Why is Boris Johnson so rich?
Boris Johnson’s high net worth comes from his successful career progression to the top of British politics combined with fame leveraged for earnings outside politics via book authorship, newspaper columns and public appearances. Coming from a privileged upper class background also provided him opportunities to access high earning careers from an early age after attending Eton College.
