Former President Barack Obama has reportedly landed a $65 million book deal with publisher Penguin Random House.
Mr. Obama has secured the largest contract ever for a presidential memoir, which also gives the publisher rights to a second project to be penned by his wife Michelle. Penguin Random House announced the deal without specifics on Tuesday, although a report by the Financial Times put the agreement at $65 million.
“We are absolutely thrilled to continue our publishing partnership with President and Mrs. Obama,” CEO Markus Dohle said in a statement, Fox News reported Wednesday.
“With their words and their leadership, they changed the world, and every day, with the books we publish at Penguin Random House, we strive to do the same,” the statement continued. “Now, we are very much looking forward to working together with President and Mrs. Obama to make each of their books global publishing events of unprecedented scope and significance.”
Former Presidents Bill Clinton and George W. Bush received $15 million and $10 million for their respective memoirs, Fox reported. Mr. Clinton also dealt with Penguin Random House while Mr. Bush wrote for Crown.
Mr. Obama previously released the autobiographies “Dreams from My Father” in 1995 and “The Audacity of Hope” in 2006.
Mrs. Obama published a book on gardening, titled “American Grown,” in 2012.
• Douglas Ernst can be reached at dernst@washingtontimes.com.
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