The Star highlighted that in 2016, former President of the United States (POTUS) Barack Obama received a bountiful of gifts such as linen set worth US$560 (RM2,260) from the Ambassador of Paraguay, as well as a ceramic pot worth US$2,000 (RM8,000) from a Japanese governor.
However, a sculpture of a Bedouin group, entitled ‘The Small Caravan’ from King Salman Abdulaziz Al Saud was by far the most expensive gift Obama had ever received.
The sculpture, which is mounted on green granite, is reportedly painted gold and silver and decorated with precious stones – subsequently valuing at US$56,720 (RM230,000).
It also came with a silver tone letter opener with a golden Falcon handle and a silver tone Chopard pen.
Michelle on the other hand, had received a ruby and diamond jewellery set – which consisted a pair of earrings, a ring, a bracelet and a necklace – from the then Saudi King Abdullah Abd al-Aziz Al Saud, and is reportedly worth US$132,000 (RM533,000).