Money Magazine: 'Millionaires-in-Chief'

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December 12, 2007 10:57 AM

The front-runners in the 2008 presidential race have amassed personal fortunes that put them in the top 10 percent, and in most cases the top half percent, of American households, according to Money Magazine.

The January issue of Money Magazine looks at how the top seven contenders got their money and managed their wealth -- and offers some unsolicited advice. 

Mitt Romney, the former governor of Massachusetts, heads Money Magazine's list with an estimated net worth of $202 million. Romney earned most of his wealth in the '80s and '90s as a chief executive at Bain and Company, a Boston-based management consultant firm, and its private equity investment spin-off, Bain Capital. 

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Sen. Barack Obama is the "poorest" of the group with a net worth of $1.8 million. Money Magazine credits his millionaire status to the success of his two memoirs, which helped him and his wife earn an income of $1.7 million in 2005 and $991,000 in 2006, according to joint tax returns.

Money Magazine found that all but one of the front-runners earned their fortunes on their own.  Sen. John McCain, who has an estimated net worth of $40.4 million, got most of his money from his heiress wife, Cindy. All of McCain's assets, with the exception of his checking accounts, according to Money Magazine, are in Cindy's or their dependent children's names.

"I'd advise the senator to keep Cindy very happy or have a good prenuptial agreement," one financial advisor tells the magazine.

Do you have a tip for Brian Ross and the Investigative Team?