According to estimates, Justin Trudeau Net Worth net worth was at least $1.2 million prior to entering politics full-time. Justin Trudeau has served as the 23rd Prime Minister of Canada since 2015. Prior to entering politics, Trudeau worked as a teacher and public speaker. He comes from a prominent political family as the son of Pierre Trudeau, who served as Prime Minister of Canada for over 15 years between 1968 to 1984. This has led many to wonder—what is Justin Trudeau net worth and how did he build his fortune?
Early Life and Background
Justin Trudeau was born on December 25, 1971 in Ottawa, Ontario. He is the oldest son of former Canadian Prime Minister Pierre Trudeau and Margaret Trudeau. His brother Alexandre (Sacha) Trudeau is a journalist and documentary filmmaker.
Trudeau earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in literature from McGill University in 1994. After graduation, he traveled and worked at different jobs before going back to school. He earned a Bachelor of Education degree from the University of British Columbia in 1998.
After completing his teaching degree, Trudeau worked as a teacher at West Point Grey Academy and Sir Winston Churchill Secondary School in Vancouver. He taught French, humanities, math and drama.
In 2002, Trudeau took a break from teaching and returned to Montreal to study engineering. However, he left the program after a few months and pursued a Master of Arts degree in Environmental Geography at McGill University. He completed his graduate studies in 2005.
Early Career Before Politics
After completing his master’s degree, Trudeau stayed involved in education as a public speaker advocating for youth issues and environmentalism. He also served on the board of Katimavik, a Canadian volunteer service program for youths.
Trudeau gained public attention in October 2006 after delivering a eulogy at his father’s state funeral, which was nationally televised. About 3 million Canadian viewers tuned in to watch his heartfelt tribute.
The eulogy was a catalyst for Trudeau entering politics. Over the next few years, he steadily increased his public profile by speaking at charity events and establishing himself as an advocate for various causes like education, mental health, and environmental protection.
In 2012, Trudeau announced his bid for leadership of the Liberal Party of Canada. His campaign successfully leveraged social media and digital engagement to attract support, especially among young voters. In April 2013, Trudeau won the leadership election in a landslide with over 80% of the vote.
Entering Politics and Becoming Prime Minister
After becoming leader of the Liberal Party, Trudeau focused on rebuilding the party at both federal and local levels before the 2015 federal election. His charisma and message of hope and change led to a surge in party membership, fundraising and candidates.
In the October 2015 federal election, the Liberal Party under Trudeau’s leadership went from holding only 36 seats in Parliament to securing a majority government with 184 seats. This sweeping victory demonstrated Canadian voters’ desire for new leadership after nearly 10 years of Conservative government led by Stephen Harper.
At age 43, Justin Trudeau became the second youngest Prime Minister in Canadian history when he was sworn into office on November 4, 2015. The Liberal Party’s platform focused on issues like growing the middle class, tax fairness, inclusive diversity and action on climate change.
Trudeau’s term as Prime Minister has seen both achievements and controversies. He has followed through on key promises like legalizing recreational cannabis, instituting a price on carbon emissions, and increasing refugee admissions. But he has also faced criticism on issues like electoral reform, deficits and spending, and ethical questions involving the SNC-Lavalin affair.
Despite setbacks, Trudeau maintained popularity through much of his first term as Prime Minister. However, he was reduced to leading a minority government after the 2019 federal election, which indicated some erosion of public confidence. Time will tell how the remaining years of his leadership unfold.
Salary and Benefits as Prime Minister
As Prime Minister of Canada, Justin Trudeau earns an annual salary of CAD $357,800. This puts him among the top 10 highest paid world leaders.
On top of his salary, Trudeau receives the following benefits and allowances as Prime Minister:
- Tax-free federal residence allowance of $150,000 for maintaining official residences at 24 Sussex Drive in Ottawa and Harrington Lake estate in Gatineau Park.
- Annual car allowance of $2,000
- Tax-free expense account up to $200,000 annually for housing and other costs incurred during government travel
- Comprehensive health insurance and pension plan for federal members of parliament
- Security detail for himself and his family provided by the Royal Canadian Mounted Police
So in total, Trudeau’s compensation package as Prime Minister likely exceeds $500,000 per year. While a sizable income, he took an initial pay cut compared to his past career earnings when entering politics.
Justin Trudeau Net Worth Before Politics
Prior to entering politics, Justin Trudeau net worth stemmed from working as a teacher, public speaker, and taking on some acting roles.
- As a school teacher in Vancouver during the early 2000s, his annual salary was estimated between $35,000 – $50,000.
- In 2006 after his eulogy went viral, Trudeau began making paid speaking appearances at events and conferences. His standard speaker fee ranged from $10,000 – $20,000 per event.
- He earned approximately $40,000 for acting as host and narrator of the five-part miniseries The Great War Project in 2007.
- Trudeau charged $1,500 per hour for providing consulting services through his company Justin Trudeau Speaking.
Based on his various income sources, analysts estimate Justin Trudeau Net Worth net worth was at least $1.2 million prior to entering politics full-time. This wealth provided him financial security to launch a political career.
Justin Trudeau Net Worth as Prime Minister
Justin Trudeau net worth has grown significantly since he became Prime Minister in 2015. However, exact estimates of his current net worth vary.
According to Canadian Business magazine, Justin Trudeau net worth as of 2019 may exceed $10 million CAD ($7.4 million USD). They cite factors like his $357,800 prime minister salary, high speaking fees he can now command, inheritances from his father, and family real estate holdings.
In contrast, Celebrity Net Worth currently estimates Trudeau’s net worth at $5 million CAD ($3.7 million USD). This lower estimate likely accounts for the impacts public office can have on limiting private sector earning potential. But it demonstrates that Trudeau’s wealth has still grown substantially since becoming Prime Minister.
Assessing Trudeau’s net worth is complicated by the fact that he placed his personal assets into a blind trust after being elected. This trust arrangement means he no longer directly controls his investments or corporation. While wise ethically, it makes tracking his net worth more opaque.
Regardless of the exact figure, Trudeau’s financial assets clearly place him among the most prosperous world leaders currently in office. Combining his upbringing with high profiles careers in teaching, public speaking and now politics, he has accumulated significant wealth by age 47.
Real Estate Properties
While Trudeau no longer directly controls his assets, some clues of his net worth come from past real estate holdings.
In 2007, Trudeau paid $1.2 million to purchase a family home in Ottawa’s Rockcliffe Park neighborhood with his wife Sophie. The 5-bedroom brick mansion features a private swimming pool.
In 2012, he sold a 3-bedroom townhouse in Montreal that he inherited from his father. It garnered $1.2 million.
Trudeau also previously owned a $800,000 mansion in the affluent Mont-Royal neighborhood of Montreal. He sold that property before running for Parliament.
His primary residence is now Rideau Cottage on the grounds of Rideau Hall in Ottawa, which is provided to the Prime Minister and family. But he likely maintains real estate investments through trusts and corporations.
Income & Salary as Former Prime Minister
Trudeau’s income and net worth could change significantly depending on the outcome of future elections. But Canada’s Former Prime Ministers receive generous pensions and allowances that provide lifelong financial security.
According to Canadian law, any Prime Minister who doesn’t resign before their term expires is eligible for an annual pension equal to 2/3 of their prime minister salary. That would provide Trudeau around $235,000 per year for life after leaving office.
He will also receive an annual six-figure expense account from the government. Other benefits include a lifetime diplomatic passport, airport lounge access, financial counseling, and an RCMP security detail.
So while no longer Prime Minister, Trudeau will be able to maintain a high net worth well into the future.
Key Takeaways on Justin Trudeau’s Net Worth
- Trudeau’s net worth before entering politics was estimated at $1.2 million based on assets and income from teaching, public speaking, and acting.
- As Prime Minister, his annual salary and overall compensation package exceeds $500,000.
- Estimates of Trudeau’s current net worth range from $5 million to over $10 million, demonstrating significant growth since 2015.
- Exact figures are hard to confirm given assets now held in a blind trust, but he clearly ranks among the wealthiest world leaders.
- His net worth stems from family inheritance, savvy investments, high-paying careers before politics, and compensation as Prime Minister.
- Even after leaving office, Trudeau will enjoy financial security from generous pensions and allowances for former Prime Ministers.
Justin Trudeau has come a long way from his early career as a school teacher to leading Canada as Prime Minister and accumulating an impressive net worth along the way. Though coming from a privileged background, he has demonstrated ambition and business savvy in building his fortune over the years.
Read Also: