Politicians
Kim Jong-II Net Worth
Kim Jong-II's Net Worth as of 2024
$4 Billion
Yuri Irsenovich Kim was born on 16 February 1941, in Vyatskoye, Russian SFSR, Soviet Union. He was a politician, best known to have been the supreme leader of the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea – or North Korea – from 1994 to 2011. All of his endeavors helped put his net worth to where it was prior to his passing.
How rich was Kim Jong-il? As of early-2017, sources estimate a net worth that was at $4 billion, mostly earned through being the supreme leader of North Korea. He was already the heir apparent in the 1980s, and succeeded his father Kim Il-Sung. He was also part of numerous organizations, and all of these involvements ensured the position of his wealth.
Kim Jong-II Net Worth $4 billion
While Soviet records say that Kim was born in 1941, his official biography states that he was born on 16 February 1942, in the Paektu Mountain during the time Japan occupied Korea. He was four years old when World War II ended and Korea regained its independence. At a young age, he was already involved in politics becoming a part of the Korean Children’s Union and the Democratic Youth League of North Korea (DYL). He later attended the University of Malta, where he would receive an English education.
In 1980, he gained senior posts in the Politburo Standing Committee, Military Commission, and the party Secretariat. This led him to become heir apparent, and he started to gain recognition, emerging as the most powerful figure behind his father. In 1991, Kim became the Supreme Commander of the Korean People’s Army. Then North Korea started to suffer economic stagnation and the country cut off ties with China and the Soviet Union, and South Korea accused Kim of ordering the 1983 bombing in Rangoon which killed 17 South Korean officials. He then became the Chairman of the National Defence Commission.
In 1994, after Kim il-sung passed away from a heart attack, he became the ruler of North Korea, assuming his father’s old post as General Secretary of the Workers’ Party of Korea. With the economy experiencing more problems in the 1990s, Kim then decided a “Military-First” policy which has helped the country despite dependence on foreign aid for food. He also started the “Sunshine Policy” in 1998 to allow South Korean companies to make projects in the north. In 2004, Human Rights Watch reported that the North Korean government was among the world’s most repressive governments, including 200,000 political prisoners. In 2008, a rumor started spreading that Kim Jong-il had already died of diabetes in 2003 and was just being replaced by a stand-in now. A voiceprint analysis of Kim speaking noted that it did not match an earlier recording, and he was also reported to avoid public appearances due to waning health problems, with North Korea confirming that he had suffered strokes. His power was waning, and in 2009 it was reported that his youngest son Kim Jong-un would be the next leader of North Korea.
In 2010 to 2011 Kim undertook several foreign visits, and it was reported that his health was improving. However in December 2011, a report surfaced that he had passed away of a suspected heart attack while travelling on the train.
For his personal life, a lot of information about Kim Jong-il isn’t official, but it is believed he married twice and also had three mistresses; he had five known children. He married his first wife Hong Il-chon in 1968 but they divorced a year later. His next official wife was Kim Young-sook. His mistresses were reported as actresses Song Hye-rim, Ko Yong-hui, and Kim Ok.
Politicians
Paul Begala Net Worth
Born Paul Edward Begala on the 12th May 1961, in New Jersey USA and is a politician, a member of the Democratic Party, best known to the world as an adviser to former President Bill Clinton, and he also served as a chief strategist during the 1992 Clinton-Gore campaign. He has recorded numerous television appearances, in such political shows as “Crossfire” (2004-2014), “Real Time with Bill Maher” (2008-2017), and “Erin Burnett OutFront” (2012-2017), among many others.
Have you ever wondered how rich Paul Begala is, as of mid- 2017? According to authoritative sources, it has been estimated that Begala’s net worth is as high as $3 million, an amount earned through his successful career in politics, which has been active since the late ‘80s
Paul Begala Net Worth $3 Million
Paul is of mixed ancestry; his mother, Margaret is Irish American, while his father, David is a Hungarian American. Although born in New Jersey, Paul grew up in Missouri Texas, since his father was stationed there as oil-field equipment salesman. He went to Dulles High School, located in Sugar Land, Texas, and after matriculation enrolled at the University of Texas at Austin, from which he received a Bachelor of Arts degree and then Juris Doctor degree.
Following the end of his studies, Paul commenced a political career, and worked for Robert Casey during his gubernatorial career in Pennsylvania in 1986, then the following year had success with Wallace G. Wilkinson in Kentucky, and in 1988 re-election campaign of incumbent New Jersey US Senator Frank Lautenberg.
In 1992, he teamed up with James Carville, who was also his business partner, in managing the Clinton-Gore presidential campaign that year – during Clinton’s presidency, Paul worked as his advisor and was responsible for policy, politics and communication.
Thanks to his rise in power, Paul started using his influence and could often be seen on television during the ‘90s and early 2000s. In 1992 he hosted the show “Equal Time”, then featured in the documentary “The War Room”, and in 1994 made his first appearance on “Late Night with Conan O’Brien”. As Clinton’s political career improved, he was more focused on running his campaigns, but since the 2000s, Paul’s focus changed and he would use his knowledge to work as a political analyst for several television networks, including MSNBC, CNN and others. Some of his most notable appearances include the show “Crossfire” (2004-2014) on CNN, then “At This Hour” (2016-2017) also on CNN, “The Colbert Report” (2006-2010) on Comedy Central, and “The Lead with Jake Tapper” (2016-2017), among many other differing appearances, which also increased his wealth.
Paul is also a recognized author, so far publishing three books on his own, “Is Our Children Learning?: The Case Against George W. Bush” (2000), “It’s Still the Economy, Stupid: George W. Bush, The GOP’s CEO” (2002), and “Third Term: Why George W. Bush (Hearts) John McCain” (2008), the sales of which have contributed to his wealth. Furthermore, he has co-authored two books with James Carville “Buck Up, Suck Up… and Come Back When You Foul Up: 12 Winning Secrets from the War Room” (2002), and “Take It Back: Our Party, Our Country, Our Future” (2006), further increasing his wealth.
Regarding his personal life, Paul has been married to Diane Friday since 1989; the couple has four sons, and the Begala family resides in Virginia.
Paul is a devout Roman Catholic.
Politicians
Vern Buchanan Net Worth
Born Vernon Gale Buchanan on the 8th May 1951 in Detroit, Michigan USA, he is a businessman and politician, a member of the Republican Party, best known to the world for serving as a representative of Florida’s 16th congressional district since 2007.
Have you ever wondered how rich Vern Buchanan is, as of mid- 2017? According to authoritative sources, it has been estimated that Buchanan’s net worth is as high as $44 million, an amount earned through his successful careers.
Vern Buchanan Net Worth $44 Million
Vern is of part-Finnish ancestry since his maternal grandparents immigrated from the country to the USA. He grew up in Detroit with his five siblings. After high school matriculation, Vern enlisted into the Michigan Air National Guard where he spent the next six years. However, he was also focused on his education, attending Cleary University, from which he graduated with a bachelor’s degree in business administration. He didn’t stop there as he obtained a Masters’ degree in business administration from the University of Detroit.
Before he had any political aspirations, Vern used his knowledge in business to launch a career as a businessman. Back in 1976 he teamed up with an owner of a Michigan printing company and promised him that he would help develop his business. The two started the American Speedy Printing, and in no time the company opened over 730 stores in 44 states. Unfortunately, Vern’s business acumen wasn’t all legal, and as a result the firm went bankrupt, while he himself had to pay $1.5 million to Michigan Corporation Act.
Regardless, he continued his career as he bought a Honda and Acura dealership in Ocala, Florida, developed his career as a car salesman and expanded his kingdom to two more car dealerships. He was quite successful as a car salesman until 2005, when he decided to change his focus to politics and as a result, sold the majority in his car dealerships.
Aside from having success with car dealerships, Vern also has two reinsurance companies in his ownership, Jamat Reinsurance Co., and Buchanan Reinsurance Co., and used these companies to provide extended warranty policies to his car buyers.
His political aspirations began to appear in 2006 when he ran in the 13th congressional district in Florida to replace incumbent Republican Katherine Harris. Vern was the winner of Republican primaries, defeating his Republican opponents Nancy Detert, and Tramm Hudson. And in the general elections, Vern was put up against Christine Jennings, just winning with 50.08% of the votes.
Vern was sworn in as Representative for Florida’s 13th Congressional District on 3 January 2007 and since then has been re-elected three more times quite easily, although his position changed as he became the Representative for Florida’s 16th district, as there has been a change in numbering Florida’s districts.
Regarding his personal life, Vern has been married to Sandra since 1976, with whom he has two children.
Vern is also quite active in the community; he has supported numerous nonprofit organizations, including Boys and Girls Club, the Community Foundation of Sarasota County, the American Heart Walk, the Walk to Cure Juvenile Diabetes and many more.
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