Bankrupt. This word still carries a stigma with it, but did you know that 4 American Presidents became bankrupt? So even a President can become bankrupt. They’re really not so different from average working people who find themselves drowning in debt. In fact American presidents became bankrupt at a rate at least 20 times the national average. And, their financial downfall was largely due to ill conceived real estate speculation, poor crop yields on the lands that they held, and high risk business deals that ended badly.
Which American presidents became bankrupt?
- Thomas Jefferson (1801-1809), America’s 3rd President: Jefferson inherited debt from his father-in-law. He managed his own money poorly and by all accounts lived a very opulent lifestyle which sadly, his main source of income – Monticello – was inadequate to support. As a result Thomas Jefferson struggled with debt issues for most of his life and went bankrupt several times. He died owing $107,000. After he died, his estate was auctioned off, and his surviving daughter was forced to rely on charity.
- Abraham Lincoln (1861-1865), America’s 16th President: Abraham Lincoln’s business venture in his 20s left him in financial ruin. He opened a general store in the 1830s with a partner, but it was a financial disaster. Lincoln sold his share in the store before it went bankrupt but his former partner died not long after and Lincoln became liable for the outstanding debts. The sheriff seized his only assets which were a horse and some surveying equipment to repay some of his creditors. It took another 17 years for the insolvent debtor to satisfy his remaining obligations.
- Ulysses Simpson Grant (1869-1877), America’s 18th President: Ulysses S. Grant lived well beyond his means. After leaving office he and his wife went on a very costly round-the-world tour. In 1881, Grant’s son, Buck, convinced his father to invest $100,000 with one of his associates, Ferdinand Ward. The money was mismanaged and embezzled, resulting in the bankruptcy of the firm of Ward and Grant. Ulysses S. Grant went bankrupt and ultimately had to sell his civil war memoirs to provide for his family.
- William McKinley (1897-1901), America’s 25th President: Although William McKinley did nothing personally to bring financial ruin upon himself; he co-signed a $100,000 loan for a friend who later went bankrupt. This in turn forced McKinley to declare bankruptcy on the $100,000 debt while he was Governor of Ohio in the 1890s.
Things really haven’t changed much since the 1800s; living beyond your means, making bad business investments and co-signing a loan are still common causes of people becoming bankrupt. Any of this type of debt, along with credit card debt, can cause you to live paycheque to paycheque. If you are considering bankruptcy contact a professional trustee as soon as possible. Ira Smith Trustee & Receiver Inc. is a full service insolvency and financial restructuring practice serving companies and individuals throughout the Greater Toronto Area (GTA) facing financial crisis or bankruptcy that need a plan Starting Over, Starting Now. There is life after bankruptcy. Contact us today.