There aren't too many paupers in the U.S. Senate, but even in those hallowed halls, Caroline Kennedy's bank roll would put her in rarefied air.
Though Kennedy has refused to open her books, the former first daughter's total wealth rings in north of $100 million, according to a report in the New York Daily News.
As much as half of her fortune is tied up in the 366-acre estate her mother, Jackie Onassis, bought on Martha's Vineyard. In 1978, Jackie O dropped $1.1 million -- about the average cost of a one-bedroom apartment in Manhattan today -- on the ocean-side estate. Today its value is estimated to be $40 million
"If you were going to sell it it, it would be between $50 [million] to $75 million," Cathy Goudy, owner of American Real Estate on Martha's Vineyard, told the Daily news. "It's breathtaking. It's extremely unique."
In addition to the beachfront home, Kennedy made $3 million from the sale of her father's Hyannis Port home, $38 million from the 1998 sale of the family's Chicago's Merchandise Mart and other related properties, and massive trusts from both parents, as well as her brother John Jr.
On top of all that, she's taken in another $40 million or so by auctioning off family heirlooms. Why she felt need to sell what amounts to a museum of America's great 20th century dynasty is anyone's guess.
If Kennedy were to be appointed to the Senate, her fortune would plant her firmly in the top five wealthiest members. Despite common perceptions of the Republicans being the party of wealth, the five richest senators are all Dems: John Kerry ($336.2M), Herb Kohl ($241.5M), Ted Kennedy ($103.6M), Jay Rockefeller ($93.7M) and Mark Warner ($90.9M).
But the backlash to Kennedy's candidacy has slowly been building, with Assembly Speaker Shel Silver taking the latest shot, insinuating that her allegiances may be to the city of New York, rather than the state.
"If I were the governor, I would look and question whether this is the appointment I would want to make: whether her first obligation might be to the mayor of the City of New York, rather than to the governor who would be appointing her," Silver said, reported the Daily News.