While in office, the U. This pays for the president’s personal expenses, such as food and dry cleaning. Title 3 of the U. The president receives free furnished housing in the White House. The president receives free health care from the official physician who directs the White House Medical Unit. Presidents and their spouses cannot receive free clothing. If they wear any piece as a gift, they must place it in the National Archives after being worn. The Constitution requires a president to take a salary. The salary may have also been designed to ensure that a lack of personal wealth would not prohibit a jear elect from taking office. The First Spouse receives no salary. Some First Spouses gave up lucrative careers to enter the White House.