Néstor Carlos Kirchner served as President of Argentina from May, 2003 to December, 2007. His wife, Cristina Fernández de Kirchner, was elected as President of Argentina in October, 2007 and was reelected in October, 2011 following the death of her husband in October, 2010.

According to official reports from an Argentine anti-corruption office the couple’s wealth totaled 14.5 million US dollars in 2009, which was a 700% increase from 2003 when Néstor first assumed office.

Reports in Chilean press have suggested that amount may have reached % 1000 or higher.

Comparisons have been drawn to similar instances in the US, where the Minority Leader of the United States House of Representatives, Nancy Pelosi (D-CA), saw her wealth increased over %60 in just one year according to estimates.

Possibly more remarkable and inexplicable, is that these increases in wealth enjoyed by highly influential politicians, came at times of economic turmoil and downturn for the citizens being represented by both the Kirchners, and Nancy Pelosi.