Home Poal19

The Exclusive List: 4 Living Former U.S. Presidents And Their Surprising Post-White House Lives (Updated December 2025)

• minute read
Contents
The question of how many former U.S. Presidents are still alive is one of the most frequently searched political queries, and the answer has recently shifted due to significant events in late 2024 and early 2025. As of late December 2025, following the passing of the longest-living U.S. President, Jimmy Carter, and the transition of power in January 2025, there are now precisely four living former U.S. Presidents. This distinguished group represents a unique cross-section of American political history, with each individual now focused on a post-presidency career that continues to shape global policy, philanthropy, and public discourse. This exclusive fraternity of former commanders-in-chief includes two members of the Democratic Party and two from the Republican Party, spanning presidencies from the 1990s through the 2020s. Their collective experience offers an unparalleled perspective on the challenges of the Oval Office, and their current activities—from building presidential centers to engaging in global health initiatives—demonstrate the enduring influence of the American presidency long after the final term has concluded.

The Four Living Former Presidents: A Complete Biography and Profile List

The current roster of living former U.S. Presidents, as of December 2025, is a group of four men whose combined time in the White House spans three decades. With the passing of Jimmy Carter in December 2024 at the age of 100, and the inauguration of the 47th President, Donald Trump, in January 2025, the composition of this exclusive club has been updated. The oldest living former president is now Joe Biden.

Here is the complete and up-to-date list, ordered by the end date of their presidential term:

  • William "Bill" Jefferson Clinton
    • Presidential Term: 42nd U.S. President (1993–2001)
    • Political Party: Democratic
    • Date of Birth: August 19, 1946
    • Current Age (Dec 2025): 79
    • Post-Presidency Focus: Global health, economic development, and climate change through the Clinton Foundation and the Clinton Global Initiative (CGI).
  • George Walker Bush
    • Presidential Term: 43rd U.S. President (2001–2009)
    • Political Party: Republican
    • Date of Birth: July 6, 1946
    • Current Age (Dec 2025): 79
    • Post-Presidency Focus: Veterans' well-being, global health programs (especially in Africa), and promoting democracy through the George W. Bush Presidential Center.
  • Barack Hussein Obama II
    • Presidential Term: 44th U.S. President (2009–2017)
    • Political Party: Democratic
    • Date of Birth: August 4, 1961
    • Current Age (Dec 2025): 64
    • Post-Presidency Focus: Youth leadership development, civic engagement, and construction of the Obama Presidential Center in Chicago via the Obama Foundation.
  • Joseph "Joe" Robinette Biden Jr.
    • Presidential Term: 46th U.S. President (2021–2025)
    • Political Party: Democratic
    • Date of Birth: November 20, 1942
    • Current Age (Dec 2025): 83
    • Post-Presidency Focus: Public policy work through the Biden Institute and the Penn Biden Center, and planning for his official presidential library.

The Post-Presidency Pivot: Global Initiatives and Enduring Influence

The transition from the highest office in the nation to private citizen is a massive shift, yet for this group of former presidents, it has often led to a second career of profound global impact. Their post-presidential lives are characterized by philanthropic efforts, public speaking engagements, and the establishment of powerful presidential foundations. This work allows them to focus on specific issues that were central to their time in the White House, free from the daily constraints of partisan politics.

Bill Clinton: The Global Convenor and Philanthropist

Bill Clinton, the 42nd President, has channeled his post-White House energy primarily into the Clinton Foundation, which spearheads initiatives on health, climate change, and economic opportunity. The organization's most visible effort is the Clinton Global Initiative (CGI), which celebrated its 20th anniversary with a major annual meeting in 2025. CGI is a unique forum that brings together world leaders, CEOs, and non-profit heads to make "Commitments to Action"—specific, measurable plans to address global challenges.

Clinton’s work in global health, particularly in addressing HIV/AIDS in developing nations, remains a cornerstone of his legacy. His ongoing efforts in disaster relief and sustainable development further solidify his role as a prominent global statesman and humanitarian. He remains a powerful voice within the Democratic Party and often engages in political rallying and strategic counsel.

George W. Bush: A Focus on Service and Leadership

George W. Bush, the 43rd President, has cultivated a post-presidency image centered on service, particularly for U.S. veterans and global health. The George W. Bush Presidential Center, located in Dallas, Texas, serves as the hub for his activities. A key initiative is the Bush Institute's Military Service Initiative, which supports post-9/11 veterans in their transition to civilian life, focusing on employment, education, and health.

In 2025, the Bush Center continued to make headlines with its Global Health Initiative, announcing a significant commitment from Kenya to increase its domestic health investment by $850 million, a major step intended to advance long-term health and wellness in the region. Bush is also known for his artistic pursuits, specifically his painting, which often features portraits of veterans and world leaders, a surprising and well-received aspect of his life after the presidency. His public appearances, such as throwing out the first pitch at the Texas Rangers opening day in 2025, are often met with bipartisan warmth.

Barack Obama and Joe Biden: The Newest Chapter in Presidential History

The two most recent former presidents, Barack Obama and Joe Biden, have quickly established their post-presidency blueprints, leveraging their unique positions to influence the next generation of leaders and continue their policy work.

Barack Obama: Building the Future Through the Obama Foundation

Barack Obama, the 44th President, is focused on creating a lasting physical and programmatic legacy through the Obama Foundation. The most significant project is the Obama Presidential Center in Chicago, which saw major construction milestones throughout 2025, moving closer to its anticipated opening. This center is designed to be more than just a library; it is envisioned as a hands-on training center for emerging leaders from around the world.

Obama’s work is heavily concentrated on civic engagement and youth leadership. He and his wife, Michelle Obama, also maintain a high profile in media production and public speaking, using their platform to champion causes like voting rights and education. In late 2025, he was active in rallying support for Democratic candidates in key state elections, demonstrating his continued political influence and commitment to the party.

Joe Biden: Transitioning to Statesman and Policy Expert

Joe Biden, who completed his term as the 46th President in January 2025, immediately became the oldest living former U.S. President at 83 years old. His post-presidency has focused on policy continuation and setting the stage for his official library. He has re-engaged with his academic and policy roots at the University of Delaware's Biden Institute and the Penn Biden Center for Diplomacy and Global Engagement.

Biden has indicated a strong desire to continue working on both domestic policy matters and foreign policy, leveraging his decades of experience on the world stage to work behind the scenes with current world leaders. The early stages of his post-presidential career are dedicated to fundraising and planning for the construction and mission of his presidential library, ensuring his legislative and executive records are preserved and accessible for future generations of scholars and the public.

Topical Authority and Key Entities in Post-Presidency Life

The lives of former U.S. presidents are governed by a unique set of traditions, laws, and expectations. Their ongoing work is supported by a robust infrastructure of Presidential Libraries and Foundations, which are key entities in their post-White House careers.

Key Entities and Concepts:

  • Presidential Libraries: Administered by the National Archives and Records Administration (NARA), these facilities preserve and make available the papers, records, and historical materials of the presidents.
  • Presidential Foundations: Independent, non-profit organizations created to support the former president's philanthropic and policy goals (e.g., Clinton Foundation, Obama Foundation).
  • Post-Presidency Pensions and Benefits: Governed by the Former Presidents Act (FPA), which provides a pension, staff, office space, and Secret Service protection.
  • Oldest Living Former President: A title currently held by Joe Biden (83), following the death of Jimmy Carter (100) in 2024.
  • Record Number of Living Presidents: The highest number of living presidents (including the incumbent) at any one time was six, a record tied in 2021 before the passing of an elder statesman.
  • Global Health Initiatives: A major focus for both Clinton and Bush, including the President's Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief (PEPFAR), established under Bush and continued by his foundation.
  • Civic Engagement and Leadership: Central themes for Barack Obama's post-presidency, focusing on the development of the next generation of leaders through global programs and mentorship.
  • Delaware and Penn Biden Centers: Policy think tanks affiliated with Joe Biden's work on domestic and foreign policy matters after his term concluded.

The lives of these four men—Bill Clinton, George W. Bush, Barack Obama, and Joe Biden—demonstrate that the end of a presidential term is not the end of influence. Instead, it marks a pivot to a new phase of public service, where the unique stature of a former U.S. President is leveraged for global good, policy advocacy, and the preservation of historical legacy.

how many former u.s. presidents are still alive
how many former u.s. presidents are still alive

Detail Author:

  • Name : Vilma Hayes
  • Username : gerson.block
  • Email : keebler.mortimer@yahoo.com
  • Birthdate : 2002-04-25
  • Address : 5828 Ritchie Via Apt. 745 Ashtonbury, IA 23412-5119
  • Phone : 1-870-930-3287
  • Company : Quigley, Block and Friesen
  • Job : Postsecondary Teacher
  • Bio : Rem et molestiae iusto. Eligendi omnis quia velit nobis et illo vel. Vitae optio non officiis quis. Commodi numquam sed nihil beatae consectetur accusantium.

Socials

tiktok:

linkedin:

twitter:

  • url : https://twitter.com/jeanne_rogahn
  • username : jeanne_rogahn
  • bio : At quia nemo tempora libero. Eius et iusto iste perspiciatis. Non aut quos ut quibusdam facilis soluta.
  • followers : 5063
  • following : 846

facebook:

  • url : https://facebook.com/rogahnj
  • username : rogahnj
  • bio : Et soluta quis excepturi ut explicabo praesentium eveniet.
  • followers : 977
  • following : 2603

instagram:

  • url : https://instagram.com/jeanne_rogahn
  • username : jeanne_rogahn
  • bio : Numquam necessitatibus harum pariatur adipisci. Dolor voluptas ea recusandae omnis.
  • followers : 871
  • following : 544

Random Posts