Does Carrie Lam really get paid more than Joe Biden? 11 of the highest-earning world leaders revealed, from Angela Merkel and Justin Trudeau to Yoshihide Suga

Sep 29 , 2021

Which world leader gets paid more, Joe Biden or Carrie Lam?. Photos: @joebiden, @carrielam.hksar/Instagram

Joe Biden’s US$400,000 a year pales in comparison to Singaporean leader Lee Hsien Loong’s US$1.6 million – but there’s no denying Air Force One is a major perk

Carrie Lam earns a staggering amount as Hong Kong’s chief executive and gets driven around in a Mercedes-Benz – but apparently only gets paid in cash

When we consider the world’s highest paid people, we tend to think of the Elon Musks of this world, or the Chris Pratts and Kim Kardashians. But rarely do we think of heads of government as earning a pretty penny. Nevertheless, some of them do – and you may be surprised which ones.

Listed below are 11 of the highest-paid heads of government in the world and their surprisingly lavish perks – from private jumbo jets to sprawling mansions.

Read on to find out if your head of government made it on the list:

11. Justin Trudeau

Title – Prime Minister of Canada

Salary – US$146,000-US$365,000

Canadian Prime Minister and Liberal Leader Justin Trudeau has got into hot water in the past for his lavish spending on trips outside Canada. Photo: AFP

The prime minister of Canada lives in a regal, 22-room Georgian Revival home known as Rideau Cottage on the grounds of Rideau Hall in Ottawa, Ontario. Dating back to 1867, Rideau Cottage underwent significant renovations in the year 2000. Its grand entrance is a pedimented porch, and sash windows and paired chimneys give the building a timeless and homey look.

Justin Trudeau and his family outside their 22-room, 19th Century house in Ottawa. Photo: @JustinTrudeau/Twitter

Justin Trudeau might be a darling of world politics, but his US$170,000 holiday to billionaire philanthropist and spiritual leader the Aga Khan’s private island in the Bahamas with his family in 2017 caught the attention of the then conflict of interest and ethics commissioner, Mary Dawson. He was eventually found guilty of violating several sections of the federal Conflict of Interest Act as a result.

Another of Trudeau’s family trips – this time a business-related one to India – cost well over US$1 million.