Hunter Biden Net Worth 2026: Full Bio & Career Facts

Hunter Biden is an American attorney and businessman best known for his work in law, finance, and international consulting, as well as for being the son of U.S. President Joe Biden. Over the years, he has held roles at major investment firms and served on the boards of several domestic and international companies.

As of 2026, Hunter Biden’s estimated net worth is approximately $1 million, reflecting a career shaped by professional achievements, public scrutiny, and personal challenges that have kept him in the national spotlight

Quick Facts About Hunter Biden

What is Hunter Biden Net Worth in 2026?

According to Celebrity Net Worth and recent court documents, Hunter Biden net worth is approximately $1 million as of 2026. This figure represents a dramatic decline from his peak earning years between 2013 and 2018, when he and his firm generated over $11 million from various business ventures.

The second son of former President Joe Biden has faced significant financial challenges in recent years. Court filings from March 2025 reveal that Hunter Biden is “several million dollars in debt” and struggling with diminished income streams. His art sales have plummeted from an average of $54,481 per piece (27 pieces sold between 2021-2023) to just one piece sold for $36,000 since December 2023.

To understand how Hunter Biden accumulated and subsequently lost much of his wealth, we need to examine his biography, career trajectory, legal troubles, and the controversial business dealings that defined his professional life.

Hunter Biden Biography and Early Life

Birth and Family Background

Robert Hunter Biden was born on February 4, 1970, in Wilmington, Delaware. He is the second son of Joe Biden and his first wife, Neilia Hunter Biden. Growing up in a political family, Hunter’s childhood was marked by both privilege and profound tragedy.

Childhood Tragedy That Shaped His Life

On December 18, 1972, when Hunter was just two years old, his life changed forever. His mother Neilia and his one-year-old sister Naomi were killed in a devastating car accident while Christmas shopping. Hunter and his older brother Beau were also in the vehicle and suffered serious injuries. Hunter sustained a fractured skull and severe traumatic brain injuries, spending several months in the hospital.

During their recovery, their father Joe Biden was sworn into the U.S. Senate in January 1973. Joe famously commuted by train from Delaware to Washington daily to be with his sons, a routine that earned him the nickname “Amtrak Joe.”

A New Family Takes Shape

In 1977, five years after the accident, Joe Biden married Jill Jacobs Stevenson, who became Hunter and Beau’s stepmother. The boys encouraged their father to remarry, wanting a complete family again. In 1981, their half-sister Ashley Biden was born, completing the Biden family unit.

Hunter has consistently credited the accident and its aftermath with contributing to his later struggles with addiction and substance abuse. The unresolved emotional trauma from losing his mother and sister at such a young age became a defining element of his life story.

Hunter Biden Education

High School: Archmere Academy

Like his father and brother before him, Hunter Biden attended Archmere Academy, a prestigious Catholic high school in Claymont, Delaware. The school is known for its rigorous academic standards and has educated several prominent Delaware political figures.

Georgetown University (1988-1992)

Hunter Biden earned his Bachelor of Arts degree in history from Georgetown University in Washington, D.C., in 1992. Georgetown, one of the nation’s top universities, provided him with a solid foundation in liberal arts and introduced him to the political circles of the nation’s capital.

Post-Graduate Service

After graduating from Georgetown, Hunter spent a year serving as a Jesuit volunteer at a church in Portland, Oregon. This period of service work was where he met Kathleen Buhle, whom he would marry in 1993.

Yale Law School (1993-1996)

Hunter initially attended Georgetown University Law Center for one year before transferring to Yale Law School, where he graduated with his Juris Doctor degree in 1996. Yale Law School is consistently ranked as one of the top three law schools in the United States, alongside Harvard and Stanford.

His education at these elite institutions opened doors to powerful networks in business, law, and politics that would define his career trajectory for the next three decades.

Hunter Biden’s Career: From Banking to Boardrooms

MBNA Corporation (1996-1998)

Fresh out of law school in 1996, Hunter Biden accepted a consultant position at MBNA, a major bank holding company and one of the largest credit card issuers in America. MBNA employees had donated over $200,000 to Joe Biden’s senate campaigns over the years, raising questions about potential nepotism.

By 1998, at just 28 years old, Hunter had risen to the rank of executive vice president at MBNA, earning a substantial salary. However, the relationship between his employment and his father’s political career—particularly Joe Biden’s support for bankruptcy legislation favorable to credit card companies—drew criticism and scrutiny.

U.S. Department of Commerce (1998-2001)

Hunter left MBNA in 1998 to serve at the United States Department of Commerce during President Bill Clinton’s administration, focusing on ecommerce policy. This government role provided experience in federal policy and international trade.

Lobbying Career (2001-2008)

In 2001, Hunter Biden co-founded the lobbying firm Oldaker, Biden & Belair. He and his father established an unspoken agreement: Joe Biden wouldn’t ask about Hunter’s lobbying clients, and Hunter wouldn’t tell him. This arrangement was intended to avoid conflicts of interest, though it would later become controversial.

Simultaneously, MBNA rehired Hunter as a consultant in 2001, paying him a $100,000 annual retainer until 2005. This consulting arrangement coincided with Joe Biden’s advocacy for the Bankruptcy Abuse Prevention and Consumer Protection Act, legislation that significantly benefited credit card companies like MBNA.

Amtrak Board of Directors (2006-2009)

President George W. Bush appointed Hunter Biden to a five-year term on the Amtrak board of directors in 2006. He served as vice chairman from July 2006 until January 2009, resigning shortly after his father became Vice President to avoid potential conflicts of interest.

Hedge Fund and Investment Ventures (2006-2010)

In 2006, Hunter and his uncle James Biden purchased the international hedge fund Paradigm Global Advisors for $8 million using a promissory note. The venture eventually unraveled in 2010 after complications involving the troubled Stanford Financial Group.

In 2008, Hunter founded Seneca Global Advisors, a consultancy helping companies expand into foreign markets. In 2009, he co-founded Rosemont Seneca Partners with Devon Archer and Christopher Heinz (stepson of John Kerry), an investment and advisory firm that would become central to his later controversies.

BHR Partners – China Connection (2013-2020)

In 2013, Hunter became a founding board member of BHR Partners, a Chinese private equity fund. He acquired a 10% stake in the company in 2017 at a discount, using borrowed money. The Chinese-registered asset managers included the Bank of China and Deutsche Bank-backed firms.

Hunter’s involvement with BHR Partners drew intense scrutiny, particularly because some dealings occurred while his father was Vice President. The fund invested in various sectors including automotive, mining (such as a controversial cobalt mine in the Democratic Republic of Congo), and technology startups like the ride-hailing app DiDi.

Between 2013 and 2018, Hunter and his firm earned approximately $11 million, with $3.8 million coming from CEFC China Energy, a defunct oil and gas company with links to the Chinese Communist Party. This period represented Hunter’s peak earning years.

Hunter announced his resignation from BHR Partners in October 2019 amid political controversy, though Chinese business records showed he remained listed as a board member as late as April 2020. His solely-owned company Skaneateles LLC maintained a 10% equity stake until the company was dissolved in 2022.

Burisma Holdings – Ukraine Controversy (2014-2019)

In April 2014, Hunter joined the board of Burisma Holdings, Ukraine’s largest private natural gas producer, owned by oligarch Mykola Zlochevsky. Hunter’s business partner Devon Archer had joined the board several months earlier.

Hunter was hired to help with corporate governance and requesting U.S. government assistance to expand Burisma’s business. He served on the board until his term expired in April 2019, receiving compensation of up to $50,000 per month—approximately $600,000 annually.

This position became extraordinarily controversial because Joe Biden played a major role in U.S. policy toward Ukraine as Vice President. The timing of Hunter’s appointment—just as Ukrainian officials were investigating Burisma’s owner—raised conflict of interest concerns among Obama administration officials and Ukrainian anti-corruption advocates.

The situation escalated in 2019 when President Donald Trump and his personal attorney Rudy Giuliani promoted conspiracy theories falsely claiming Joe Biden pressured Ukraine to fire prosecutor Viktor Shokin to protect Hunter and Burisma. In reality, Shokin’s removal was official U.S. and European Union policy because he was widely criticized for blocking corruption investigations. Multiple investigations found no evidence of wrongdoing by Hunter Biden in Ukraine.

Boies Schiller Flexner Law Firm (2014)

During his Burisma tenure, Hunter held the position of counsel at the prominent law firm Boies Schiller Flexner LLP in 2014, adding another layer to his professional portfolio.

Art Career (2020-Present)

In February 2020, Hunter Biden was reported to be painting as an “undiscovered artist” from his Hollywood Hills home. New York art dealer Georges Bergès began representing him, hosting private viewings in Los Angeles in fall 2021 followed by a New York exhibition.

Hunter’s paintings were initially priced as high as $500,000 per piece. Between December 2021 and December 2023, he sold approximately $1.5 million worth of paintings. However, sales plummeted dramatically after his father left the presidency. From December 2023 to March 2025, he sold only $36,000 worth of art.

Notable buyers included Hollywood lawyer Kevin Morris, who purchased $875,000 worth of Hunter’s artwork, and Elizabeth Hirsh Naftali, a Democratic Party donor whom Joe Biden appointed to a government commission, raising ethical concerns about potential quid pro quo arrangements.

Author: “Beautiful Things” (2021)

On April 6, 2021, Hunter released his memoir “Beautiful Things,” chronicling his struggles with addiction and the trauma of losing his mother, sister, and later his brother Beau. The New York Times described it as “equal parts family saga, grief narrative and addict’s howl.”

The book initially generated significant income, but by 2025, sales had fallen by approximately one-third. In court documents, Hunter noted that expected paid speaking engagements and appearances never materialized after his father left office.

Hunter Biden’s Personal Life

Height and Physical Appearance

Hunter Biden stands approximately 6 feet tall (183 cm), with a medium build. Like his father, he has blue eyes and, in his younger years, had brown hair that has grayed over time. He typically presents a polished, professional appearance despite his well-documented struggles with substance abuse.

Marriages and Relationships

First Marriage: Kathleen Buhle (1993-2017)

Hunter married Kathleen Buhle in 1993 after meeting her during his year of Jesuit volunteer service in Portland, Oregon. They have three daughters together:

• Naomi Biden (named after Hunter’s late sister)
• Finnegan Biden
• Maisey Biden

The couple formally separated in October 2015 and divorced in 2017. Kathleen’s 2022 memoir “If We Break” documents her perspective on their relationship and Hunter’s struggles with addiction.

Relationship with Hallie Biden (2016-2019)

After his divorce, Hunter began a controversial relationship with Hallie Biden, the widow of his deceased brother Beau, in 2016. Joe Biden publicly supported the relationship, stating “We are all lucky that Hunter and Hallie found each other.” The relationship ended in 2019.

Relationship with Zoë Kestan (2017-2018)

Between 2017 and 2018, Hunter also had a romantic relationship with Zoë Kestan, which overlapped with his relationship with Hallie Biden.

Fourth Daughter: Navy Joan Roberts (Born 2018)

In August 2018, Lunden Alexis Roberts gave birth to Hunter’s fourth daughter in Arkansas. Hunter initially denied paternity, but a DNA test confirmed he was the father. This revelation became public through a paternity lawsuit filed by Roberts in May 2019.

The case was settled in March 2020 with Hunter agreeing to pay $20,000 monthly child support. In September 2022, Hunter filed to reduce payments due to decreased income, while Roberts petitioned to change their daughter’s surname to Biden. They reached a settlement in June 2023, with Hunter agreeing to provide several paintings, an undisclosed monthly child support amount, and assistance with college tuition. Roberts agreed to drop the surname petition.

As of December 2024, Hunter has never met his daughter Navy Joan in person, only conducting virtual meetings that he later discontinued.

Current Marriage: Melissa Cohen (2019-Present)

Hunter married South African filmmaker Melissa Cohen in May 2019, just one week after meeting her. Their whirlwind romance surprised family and friends, but the couple remains together.

In March 2020, Melissa gave birth to their son, whom they named Beau in honor of Hunter’s deceased brother. The family currently resides in California, though they lost their rental home to the January 2025 Palisades Fire, leaving them temporarily homeless according to court filings.

Children Summary

Hunter Biden has five children total:

1. Naomi Biden (with Kathleen Buhle)
2. Finnegan Biden (with Kathleen Buhle)
3. Maisey Biden (with Kathleen Buhle)
4. Navy Joan Roberts (with Lunden Alexis Roberts)
5. Beau Biden (with Melissa Cohen)

Struggles with Addiction

Hunter has been open about his decades-long battle with drug and alcohol addiction, which he details extensively in his memoir “Beautiful Things.” He believes his addiction issues stem from unresolved emotional trauma following the 1972 accident that killed his mother and sister, compounded by his brother Beau’s death from brain cancer in 2015.

At his worst, Hunter admitted to “smoking crack every 15 minutes.” The $11 million he earned between 2013 and 2018 became what he called “a major enabler during my steepest skid into addiction,” causing him to “spend recklessly, dangerously, destructively.”

He has been through multiple substance abuse rehabilitation programs over the past two decades, each followed by periods of sobriety and subsequent relapse. He had an intervention in early 2019 and has reportedly been in recovery since then.

Hunter Biden’s Legal Issues and Controversies

Tax Investigation and Charges (2018-2024)

In December 2020, Hunter publicly announced through his attorney that his tax affairs were under federal criminal investigation. The investigation, which began in late 2018, examined potential violations of tax and money laundering laws related to his business dealings in foreign countries, principally China.

In December 2023, Hunter was indicted in California on nine tax charges (three felonies and six misdemeanors) for failing to pay at least $1.4 million in self-assessed federal taxes for the years 2016 through 2019. The indictment detailed how Hunter spent lavishly on drugs, escorts, luxury hotels, exotic cars, and other personal expenses rather than paying his taxes.

In court documents, prosecutors also alleged that Hunter accepted payments from Romanian businessman Gabriel Popoviciu in 2015 to influence U.S. government agencies regarding a criminal investigation in Romania, all while his father was Vice President.

On September 5, 2024, Hunter pleaded guilty to all nine tax charges, admitting under oath that he “committed every element of the charges in the indictment.” He faced up to 17 years in prison, though legal experts expected a sentence of fewer than five years. His sentencing was scheduled for December 16, 2024.

Gun Charges and Trial (2023-2024)

In September 2023, a grand jury indicted Hunter on three federal firearms-related charges: two counts of making false statements on a firearm application form and one count of prohibited possession of a firearm while being a drug user. The charges stemmed from a gun purchase in October 2018.

Hunter’s trial began on June 3, 2024, in Delaware. During the trial, three former partners testified about Hunter’s drug use, and prosecutors introduced evidence including cocaine residue found in his gun pouch. The laptop computer he had left at a Delaware repair shop was used as evidence, with FBI investigators confirming its authenticity.

On June 11, 2024, Hunter Biden was found guilty on all three felony gun charges, making him the first child of a sitting U.S. president to be convicted in a criminal trial. Due to his conviction, his law license in Washington, D.C., was suspended. He was scheduled for sentencing on December 12, 2024.

The Laptop Controversy

On October 14, 2020, twenty days before the 2020 presidential election, the New York Post published an article based on content from a laptop computer allegedly belonging to Hunter Biden. The laptop had reportedly been left at a Wilmington, Delaware, computer repair shop and never retrieved.

The article’s authenticity was initially questioned by many media outlets and intelligence officials, who suspected it might be Russian disinformation. However, in January 2024, federal prosecutors confirmed they had possession of the laptop and that it contained files matching Hunter’s cloud backups. During his June 2024 gun trial, FBI investigators testified about the laptop’s authenticity.

In February 2023, Hunter’s attorneys demanded criminal investigations into individuals who accessed, copied, and disseminated the laptop data, naming Rudy Giuliani, Steve Bannon, and the repair shop owner. The special counsel later described Hunter’s claims of right-wing bias as “fiction designed for a Hollywood script.”

Presidential Pardon (December 2024)

Despite repeatedly stating he would not pardon his son, President Joe Biden issued a full and unconditional pardon for Hunter on December 1, 2024. The pardon covered all federal offenses committed between January 1, 2014, and December 1, 2024—an unusually broad 11-year period.

This sweeping pardon includes Hunter’s tax charges, gun charges, and any undiscovered offenses within that timeframe, covering his entire tenure on the Burisma board and much of his international business activities.

In his official White House statement, President Biden said he believed his son was “selectively and unfairly prosecuted” and blamed political pressure for the failure of Hunter’s plea deal. He concluded: “I hope Americans will understand why a father and a President would come to this decision.”

The pardon received bipartisan criticism from members of Congress. Special counsel David Weiss stated in court filings that “there was none and never has been any evidence of vindictive or selective prosecution in this case.” Judge Mark Scarsi noted that President Biden’s characterizations “stand in tension with the case record” and that the Constitution “does not give the president the authority to rewrite history.”

Legal experts noted the pardon’s scope was unusually broad, comparable only to President Gerald Ford’s pardon of Richard Nixon, which covered offenses between 1969 and 1974.

Ongoing Litigation (2023-2025)

Between 2023 and 2025, Hunter filed multiple lawsuits:

• IRS Lawsuit (2023): Claimed unlawful disclosure of tax information; dismissed in September 2024, dropped entirely in 2025
• Garrett Ziegler/Marco Polo (2023): Sued for invasion of privacy over publishing 128,000 emails from his laptop; sought dismissal in March 2025 due to financial hardship
• Rudy Giuliani Lawsuit (2024): Alleged Giuliani caused “total annihilation” of his privacy; dropped shortly after filing
• Fox News Lawsuit (2024): Sued for airing laptop images; dropped, then refiled in state court with Fox News calling it “devoid of any merit”

In June 2025, law firm Winston & Strawn sued Hunter for over $50,000 in unpaid legal fees from his federal criminal cases.

Hunter Biden Net Worth Timeline

Peak Years (2013-2018): $11 Million+ Earned

Between 2013 and 2018, Hunter Biden and his firm generated approximately $11 million from various sources:

• Burisma Holdings: ~$600,000 annually ($50,000/month) from 2014-2019 = ~$3 million
• CEFC China Energy: $3.8 million in payments
• BHR Partners: Income from board position and 10% equity stake
• Consulting and legal work: Various other clients and projects
• Romanian businessman: Payments from Gabriel Popoviciu

Decline Period (2019-2023)

• 2019: Income began declining as international board positions ended
• 2020-2021: Memoir “Beautiful Things” provided income; art career began
• 2021-2023: Art sales generated approximately $1.5 million ($54,481 average per piece, 27 pieces sold)

Current Financial Crisis (2024-2026)

According to March 2025 court filings:

• Current net worth: $1 million
• Debt: Several million dollars
• Art sales: Only $36,000 since December 2023 (1 piece sold)
• Book sales: Down approximately 33%
• Speaking engagements: None materialized
• Housing: Lost rental home in Palisades Fire (January 2025), experiencing homelessness
• Law license: Suspended, consented to disbarment in April 2025
• Secret Service detail: Withdrawn by President Trump in March 2025

Income Sources Comparison Table

How Hunter Biden Lost His Fortune

Several factors contributed to Hunter Biden’s dramatic financial decline:

1. Legal Expenses

The federal investigations, criminal trials, and multiple lawsuits required extensive legal representation. Even after his father’s pardon, Hunter reportedly owes his former law firm Winston & Strawn over $50,000.

2. Tax Debt and Penalties

Hunter failed to pay $1.4 million in taxes between 2016-2019. While he eventually repaid the taxes, penalties and interest significantly increased the total amount owed.

3. Loss of Political Influence

As court documents reveal, Hunter’s income streams were heavily dependent on his father’s political position. Once Joe Biden left the presidency in January 2025, Hunter’s art sales plummeted, speaking engagements never materialized, and business opportunities dried up.

4. Failed Business Ventures

Multiple business ventures didn’t succeed as planned, including the Paradigm Global Advisors hedge fund acquisition that unraveled in 2010.

5. Addiction-Related Spending

Hunter himself admitted in his memoir that the $11 million earned between 2013-2018 “turned into a major enabler during my steepest skid into addiction” and caused him to “spend recklessly, dangerously, destructively.”

6. Child Support Obligations

Hunter pays child support for his daughter Navy Joan Roberts, initially set at $20,000 monthly though later renegotiated to an undisclosed amount.

7. The Palisades Fire

In January 2025, Hunter’s rental home was destroyed in the Palisades Fire, leaving him homeless and exacerbating his already precarious financial situation.

Hunter Biden vs. Joe Biden: Net Worth Comparison

While Hunter Biden’s net worth sits at approximately $1 million, his father Joe Biden and stepmother Jill Biden have an estimated combined net worth of $10 million according to Celebrity Net Worth. The elder Bidens accumulated their wealth through:

• Congressional and Vice Presidential salaries over five decades
• Book deals (Joe’s memoirs “Promise Me, Dad” and “Promise Me”)
• Speaking fees after leaving the Vice Presidency
• Real estate holdings in Delaware
• Teaching income (Jill Biden’s university positions)

The contrast between father and son’s financial situations illustrates how Hunter’s high-income years were relatively brief and ultimately unsustainable, particularly given his addiction issues and legal problems.

Frequently Asked Questions About Hunter Biden

How much is Hunter Biden worth in 2026?

Hunter Biden net worth is approximately $1 million as of 2026, according to Celebrity Net Worth and court documents. This represents a significant decline from his peak earning years when he made $11 million between 2013-2018.

How old is Hunter Biden?

Hunter Biden was born on February 4, 1970, making him 56 years old as of 2026.

How tall is Hunter Biden?

Hunter Biden is approximately 6 feet (183 cm) tall.

What does Hunter Biden do for a living?

Hunter Biden is an attorney by training (Yale Law School, 1996) who worked as a lobbyist, board member, investor, businessman, and currently works as an artist and author. However, his law license was suspended after his 2024 conviction and he consented to disbarment in April 2025.

Is Hunter Biden married?

Yes, Hunter Biden is married to South African filmmaker Melissa Cohen. They married in May 2019 and have one son together named Beau (born March 2020).

How many children does Hunter Biden have?

Hunter Biden has five children: three daughters (Naomi, Finnegan, and Maisey) with his first wife Kathleen Buhle, one daughter (Navy Joan) with Lunden Alexis Roberts, and one son (Beau) with his current wife Melissa Cohen.

Did Hunter Biden go to jail?

No, Hunter Biden did not go to jail. He was convicted of gun charges in June 2024 and pleaded guilty to tax charges in September 2024, but his father President Joe Biden pardoned him on December 1, 2024, before sentencing occurred.

What was Hunter Biden’s highest salary?

Hunter Biden earned up to $50,000 per month ($600,000 annually) as a board member of Burisma Holdings from 2014-2019. His highest total annual income occurred between 2013-2018 when he earned approximately $1.8-2.2 million per year from various sources.

Why is Hunter Biden’s net worth so low?

Hunter Biden’s net worth dropped dramatically due to several factors: massive legal expenses, tax debt of $1.4 million, addiction-related spending, child support obligations, the loss of income sources after his father left the presidency, and the destruction of his rental home in the 2025 Palisades Fire.

What education does Hunter Biden have?

Hunter Biden holds a Bachelor of Arts degree in history from Georgetown University (1992) and a Juris Doctor degree from Yale Law School (1996). He also attended Archmere Academy for high school.

The Complicated Legacy of Hunter Biden

Hunter Biden’s life story is one of privilege, tragedy, addiction, controversy, and redemption attempts. Born into a political dynasty, he experienced devastating loss as a child, obtained elite education, built a lucrative career trading on his family name, struggled with crippling addiction, became embroiled in political scandals, faced federal prosecution, and ultimately received an unprecedented presidential pardon from his father.

His net worth of $1 million in 2026 represents a stark contrast to his peak earning years, when international board positions and consulting deals generated millions annually. The arc of his financial trajectory closely tracks his father’s political career, raising persistent questions about the intersection of family relationships, business opportunities, and political influence.