Bernie Sanders is an American politician who has served as the US Representative and the Junior United States Senator from Vermont. After the scheduled retirement of Patrick Leahy, he will be the senior United States Senator.
Being prominent personnel, many people wonder much about his fortune. Consequently, “Is Bernie Sanders a billionaire?” has become a trendy question on the internet.
Well, the answer to the question is, NO, Bernie Sanders is not a billionaire. His net worth has renowned him as a millionaire. He is far behind to be a billionaire.

What is Bernie Sanders Net worth?
As of this writing, Bernie Sanders is estimated to have a net worth of $3 million.
Bernie Sanders has grossed a hefty sum of his net worth from his long-term service in the House of Representatives. He is one of the longest-serving independents in congressional history.
Since 2007, Bernie Sanders has worked as the Junior United States senator. From 1991 to 2007, he served as the United States representative for the state of Vermont. Sanders’ total salary has aided him a lot to become a millionaire.
How did Bernie Sanders make millions?
In 2015, the financial disclosure of Bernie Sanders and his wife revealed that they had $750k worth of a combined asset. So, a question arises, “how did he earn these amounts?”
Well, Sanders’ income was initiated with his published book — Our Revolution. He grossed $1 and $1.1 million respectively in 2016 and 2017, from this book. The Sanders couple made $800k royalties in these years.
In 2018, Bernie Sanders’ income dropped to $393k. He was unable to sell huge numbers of his books.
Later, Bernie became the mayor of Burlington, Vermont. During his period, between 1981 and 1989, he earned $33.7k per year. From 1990 to 2005, he served as a US Congressman. Serving fifteen years as a US Congressman, Bernie Sanders grossed between $90k and $140k.
In 2005, Sanders became a United States senator and received a $174k annual salary. At the beginning of his senator career, Bernie Sanders was reported to have a net worth of $2 million.
In the 2020 Presidential Campaign, Bernie Sanders’ financial report showed the below earnings:
Year | Income |
2009 | $314,742 |
2010 | $321,592 |
2011 | $324,870 |
2012 | $280,954 |
2013 | $279,724 |
2014 | $205,617 |
2015 | $240,610 |
2016 | $1,062,626 |
2017 | $1,150,891 |
2018 | $561,293 |
Total | $4,742,919 |
How much does Bernie Sanders make a year?
Being the Junior United States senator, Bernie Sanders makes $174k per year.
Before his service as a US senator, Bernie Sanders worked at the United States’ large congressional district. From 1991 to 2007, he worked in this post.
However, Bernie Sanders joined as the Junior United States senator in 2007. He will be a senior United States senator in 2023 just after the retirement of Patrick Leahy.
Bernie Sanders’ Real Estate
Bernie Sanders and his spouse own three sweet homes. Their primary home, which they bought in 2009 is featured with 4 Bedrooms. Bernie purchased this property for $405k which is located in Chittenden County Vermont.
In 2007, Bernie Sanders purchased their Washington D.C. house for $488,999. His Washington D.C. home is now worth $685k.
Sanders’ 3rd home is located on Lake Champlain in Vermont. Bernie and his wife purchased this property for $575k. This two-story home is covered with 1.1 acres. However, this property was listed for $775k.
Is Bernie Sanders the least wealthy member of Congress?
Yes, Bernie Sanders is the least wealthy member of Congress.
Based on his 2013 financial disclosure form, Bernie Sanders had poor senatorial standards. Consequently, the Independent ranked him as the #86th richest member of the chamber.
According to Novak, Bernie Sanders was pretty close to the bottom among Presidential Candidates. He added that there was no such candidate who has a smaller net worth like Sanders. Novak pointed to Jeb Bush who made $8 million the previous year.
Early Life & Educational Background of Bernie Sanders
Bernie Sanders was born in the Brooklyn borough of New York City, on 8 September 1941. He was born to Dorothy Sanders and Elias Ben Yehuda Sanders.
At an early age, Bernie Sanders became interested in politics. Talking about education, he attended an elementary school. Later, he completed his high school session at James Madison High School. He was the Captain of the track team and won the New York City indoor one-mile race.
Bernie Sanders earned his bachelor’s degree in political science from the University of Chicago.
Sources
- https://www.npr.org/sections/itsallpolitics/2015/07/08/421151627/sanders-among-the-least-wealthy-presidential-candidates — Sanders among the least wealthy Presidential Candidates.
- https://www.forbes.com/sites/chasewithorn/2019/04/12/how-bernie-sanders-the-socialist-senator-amassed-a-25-million-fortune/ — Bernie Sanders’ fortune.