What Is Enrique Peña Nieto’s Net Worth?
Enrique Peña Nieto, a prominent figure in Mexican politics, boasts a net worth of $20 million. His financial disclosures from 2014 revealed a total net worth of 45 million pesos and an income of 3.4 million pesos. Converting these figures to USD at the time, his net worth was approximately $3.3 million, and his income was around $180,000.
Details of Enrique Peña Nieto’s Assets
Peña Nieto’s declared assets included a diverse portfolio. He owned four houses, an apartment, and land, indicating substantial real estate holdings. Additionally, his assets encompassed art, coins, and jewelry, suggesting investments in collectibles and luxury items. Specific addresses or detailed descriptions of these properties and items were not included in the disclosures.
In 2014, a controversy arose involving his wife, Angelica Rivera, and a $7 million mansion. The mansion was allegedly provided by Juan Armando Hinojosa Cantu, a business tycoon who benefited from government contracts. Financial reports indicated that Hinojosa Cantu’s companies secured $3.5 billion in government contracts, many awarded without competitive bidding processes. The financial arrangements surrounding the mansion raised concerns about potential conflicts of interest.
Angelica Rivera asserted that the mansion was not a gift but a loan to be repaid with her earnings. Financial analysts estimated that top soap opera actresses at Televisa, where Rivera worked, earned between 5 to 8 million pesos annually, equivalent to approximately $265,000 to $500,000 USD. Given these earnings, it was difficult to reconcile how Rivera could afford a $7 million mansion. Rivera later claimed she received a $10 million severance payment from Televisa, citing her 25 years of service. To address concerns, Rivera eventually sold her interest in the mansion.
Further complicating matters, during the 2019 trial of drug lord El Chapo Guzman, a former associate testified that the Sinaloa cartel paid Enrique Peña Nieto a $100 million bribe. The testimony alleged that Peña Nieto solicited a $250 million bribe from the cartel shortly after his 2012 election to halt a manhunt for Guzman. Negotiations reportedly reduced the bribe to $100 million. Similar allegations were made against Peña Nieto’s predecessor, Felipe Calderon, suggesting a pattern of corruption. Details regarding the specific timing and method of these alleged payments were not provided during the trial.
Enrique Peña Nieto’s Presidential Salary and Earlier Career
During his tenure as President of Mexico, Enrique Peña Nieto earned a monthly salary of 208,000 pesos, equivalent to approximately $11,000 USD at the time. Specific details about additional benefits, such as housing allowances or transportation stipends, are not readily available. This salary was in addition to any income derived from his personal assets.
Prior to his presidency, Peña Nieto served as the governor of the State of Mexico from 2005 to 2011. Information regarding his specific salary and benefits during his governorship is not publicly available. However, governors in Mexico typically receive a competitive salary and various benefits, including housing, transportation, and security.
Enrique Peña Nieto’s political career began in 1984 when he joined the Institutional Revolutionary Party (PRI). He initially served as the Secretary of the Citizen Movement of Zone I of the State Directive Committee of the National Confederation of Popular Organizations. From 1993 to 1998, he served as chief of staff and personal secretary to Montiel Rojas, who was then the Secretary of Economic Development of the State of Mexico. These early roles provided him with foundational experience in political administration and public service. Details regarding his compensation during these roles are not publicly accessible.
In 2003, Nieto was elected as a local deputy in his hometown of Atlacomulco, marking his entry into elected office. Two years later, he successfully ran for the governorship of the State of Mexico, a significant step towards his eventual presidential candidacy. Specific financial data from his earlier career, such as campaign expenditures and fundraising activities, are not comprehensively documented in publicly available sources.
Real Estate Holdings and Personal Life
In their 2014 wealth disclosure, Enrique and Angelica Rivera reported owning an oceanfront condo in Key Biscayne, Florida, purchased in 2005 for $1.775 million. By 2014, its estimated value had increased to $3.3 million. Rivera acquired the condo with a 30-year mortgage, which she fully paid off in 2011, just 46 days after marrying Enrique. Additional information, such as the condo’s specific address or floor plan, is not available in the provided sources.
Enrique Peña Nieto was born on July 20, 1966, in Atlacomulco, Mexico. He spent his junior year of high school at Denis Hall School in Alfred, Maine, to improve his English skills. After completing high school, he moved to Mexico City and enrolled at Panamerican University, where he earned a bachelor’s degree in Legal Studies. He later obtained an MBA degree at the Instituto Tecnologico y de Estudios Superiores de Monterrey. Specific details about the cost of his education and any scholarships or financial aid he received are not readily available.
In 1993, Nieto married his first wife, Monica Pretelini, and they had three children together. While married to Pretelini, Nieto had two children outside of marriage. Pretelini passed away on January 11, 2007, due to an epileptic episode. In 2008, Nieto began dating Angelica Rivera, a Televisa soap opera actress. They married in November 2011. Following Nieto’s presidency, Rivera announced their divorce in February 2019. Details about any divorce settlements or spousal support agreements are not publicly available.
Enrique Peña Nieto’s legacy as president is marked by mixed assessments. His approval ratings began at 50% but declined to a low of 12% in January 2017. By the end of his term, his approval rating stood at 18%, with a disapproval rate of 77%. These figures reflect the controversies and challenges that defined his presidency. Historical evaluations suggest that Nieto’s administration is remembered poorly due to allegations of corruption and ineffective policies. In December 2017, “The New York Times” reported accusations that Nieto’s government obstructed investigations into public corruption. Twenty-two former governors, all members of the PRI party, were investigated for corruption, and five were jailed. Nieto has also faced accusations of benefiting from illegal campaign funds provided by the Brazilian conglomerate Odebrecht. Specific details regarding the amounts and sources of these funds are subject to ongoing investigations.