Benazir Bhutto was a prominent Pakistani politician and the first female Prime Minister of Pakistan. Her political career spanned two decades, during which she served as leader of the Pakistan People’s Party (PPP) and was twice elected Prime Minister of Pakistan. As an iconic figure in modern South Asian history, it is no surprise that many are curious about her net worth. In this post, we will explore Benazir Bhutto’s estimated net worth at the time of her death, the source of her wealth, assets, and salary as Prime Minister.
Early Life & Career
Benazir Bhutto was born on June 21, 1953 in Karachi, Pakistan to an influential political family. She received a Bachelor of Arts degree from Harvard University and a Master of Philosophy from Oxford University. After graduating from university, Bhutto returned to Pakistan and began working in politics alongside her father, former Prime Minister Zulfikar Ali Bhutto. In 1988, she became the first woman Prime Minister of Pakistan after leading her party to victory in the general election.
Political Accomplishments
As Prime Minister of Pakistan, Bhutto oversaw several major reforms including the introduction of civil liberties, an anti-corruption campaign, an increased focus on education and healthcare, economic development initiatives, and foreign policy improvements. Under her leadership, Pakistan experienced substantial economic growth and poverty reduction. Bhutto also made efforts to improve ties with neighboring countries such as India and Afghanistan. Despite these successes, her administration was marred by allegations of corruption and nepotism which eventually led to her dismissal in 1996.
Source of Wealth & Assets
At the time of her death in 2007, Bhutto had accumulated significant wealth through her political career and business ventures. The majority of her fortune came from investments in real estate both within Pakistan and abroad. Additionally, she held stakes in numerous companies based in the UAE, Canada, and elsewhere.
Income as Prime Minister of Pakistan
During her tenure as Prime Minister of Pakistan, Bhutto earned a monthly salary of around Rs 100000 ($1400). This amount was supplemented by other sources of income such as public speaking engagements, endorsement deals with various companies, consulting fees, and commissions from private projects.
Endorsement Deals & Other Sources of Income
Bhutto was one of the most popular figures in Pakistan during her lifetime and used this fame to secure lucrative endorsement deals with international brands such as Coca Cola and Unilever. These deals were estimated to be worth millions of dollars annually and significantly added to her overall net worth.
Real Estate Holdings
In addition to her endorsement deals and other sources of income, Bhutto also owned a large portfolio of real estate properties across Pakistan and abroad. This included several commercial properties in Dubai, London, Toronto, New York City, San Francisco, Los Angeles, Seattle, Vancouver, Paris, Rome, and Tokyo.
Philanthropy & Political Contributions
Despite amassing a considerable fortune for herself, Bhutto also dedicated much of her time and resources to charity work. She founded a charitable organization called ‘The Foundation for Democracy and Human Rights’ which aimed to empower marginalized communities throughout the world. Furthermore, Bhutto donated millions of rupees to fund educational initiatives in rural parts of Pakistan as well as healthcare services for those in need.
Death & Final Years
On December 27th 2007, Benazir Bhutto was assassinated while campaigning ahead of the 2008 general elections in Rawalpindi. At the time of her death, Bhutto’s net worth was estimated to be $1.2 billion USD making her one of the wealthiest people in South Asia.
Conclusion
Benazir Bhutto’s life was tragically cut short but her legacy lives on through the countless accomplishments she achieved during her time as Prime Minister of Pakistan. Throughout her life, Bhutto acquired tremendous wealth through investment and endorsements which enabled her to pursue philanthropic endeavors as well as support causes close to her heart. Today, she is remembered fondly by all those who cherish freedom and democracy across the globe.