Bernie Sanders has made more than $1.75 million from book royalties since 2016 - here's what we know about his wealth and assets

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Bernie Sanders has made more than $1.75 million from book royalties since 2016 - here's what we know about his wealth and assets

bernie sanders

Win McNamee/Getty Images

Bernie Sanders has made at least $1.75 million in book royalties since 2016.

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Bernie Sanders, a self-declared Democratic socialist known for his harsh criticism of income inequality in the US, has joined the crowd of 2020 presidential candidates.

The Vermont senator is worth as much as $2 million, according to financial website The Street, although his exact wealth is unknown.

Sanders earns a $174,000 yearly salary as senator, and in 2015 his total reported assets were less than $750,000. But he's earned more than $1 million in 2016 and 2017 respectively, primarily due to royalties from his books, financial disclosure documents show.

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The 77-year-old senator has historically been known as one of the least wealthy members of Congress.

Business Insider reached out to the senator's office for comment on his net worth but did not receive a response by the time of publication.

Here's what we know about Sanders' wealth and assets.

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Bernie Sanders, the Democratic Vermont senator running for president for a second time in 2020, is worth as much as $2 million, according to one estimate.

Bernie Sanders, the Democratic Vermont senator running for president for a second time in 2020, is worth as much as $2 million, according to one estimate.

Source: The Street

Sanders makes $174,000 a year from his senator's salary, and in 2015, his total reported assets amounted to less than $750,000.

Sanders makes $174,000 a year from his senator's salary, and in 2015, his total reported assets amounted to less than $750,000.

Source: Congressional Research Service, Politico

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However, the senator's income has seen a jump in the past couple of years.

However, the senator's income has seen a jump in the past couple of years.

Source: Newsweek, US Senate Financial Disclosures

Sanders made more than $1 million for the first time in 2016, largely thanks to book royalties, which earned him about $868,000 that year.

Sanders made more than $1 million for the first time in 2016, largely thanks to book royalties, which earned him about $868,000 that year.

Source: Newsweek, US Senate Financial Disclosures

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He released "Our Revolution" in November 2016 and "Bernie Sanders Guide to Political Revolution" in August 2017.

He released "Our Revolution" in November 2016 and "Bernie Sanders Guide to Political Revolution" in August 2017.

Source: Amazon

In 2017, Sanders made around $1.06 million, more than $880,000 of that from book royalties.

In 2017, Sanders made around $1.06 million, more than $880,000 of that from book royalties.

Source: Newsweek, US Senate Financial Disclosures

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Sanders reportedly owns three homes, including a four-bedroom house in Chittenden County, Vermont, that he bought with his wife, Jane, for $405,000 in 2009.

Sanders reportedly owns three homes, including a four-bedroom house in Chittenden County, Vermont, that he bought with his wife, Jane, for $405,000 in 2009.

Source: Forbes

The senator also owns a one-bedroom townhouse in Washington, DC that he bought in 2007 for $488,999.

The senator also owns a one-bedroom townhouse in Washington, DC that he bought in 2007 for $488,999.

Source: Forbes

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In 2016, Sanders bought an 1,800-square-foot house on the shores of Lake Champlain in Vermont for $575,000.

In 2016, Sanders bought an 1,800-square-foot house on the shores of Lake Champlain in Vermont for $575,000.

Source: Washington Post

Sanders served as Mayor of Burlington, Vermont, from 1981 to 1989, a position that earned him about $33,700 per year.

Sanders served as Mayor of Burlington, Vermont, from 1981 to 1989, a position that earned him about $33,700 per year.

Source: Politico

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He previously worked as a carpenter, a documentary filmmaker, and a writer.

He previously worked as a carpenter, a documentary filmmaker, and a writer.

Source: Bloomberg