The Presidential Longevity List: Ranking The Five Living U.S. Presidents By Age (Updated December 2025)
The collective age of America's former and current commanders-in-chief has never been higher, making the "age of living presidents" a central, and often controversial, topic in political discourse. As of today, December 23, 2025, the exclusive club of Americans who have held the nation's highest office comprises just five individuals, following the recent passing of the longest-lived president, Jimmy Carter, at the age of 100. The current dynamic is historically unique, featuring a tight cohort of three former presidents all born in the same year, and the oldest former president in history, fueling a national conversation about presidential health, fitness for office, and the rise of a political gerontocracy.
The average age of these five distinguished leaders is approximately 77.8 years old, a figure that underscores the unprecedented seniority of the group. This concentration of experience and age has shifted the focus from policy debates to questions of cognitive ability and the long-term impact of high-stress leadership on longevity. The following breakdown provides a precise look at the ages of the five living presidents, from the oldest to the youngest, highlighting the generational gaps and the historical context of their service.
The Exclusive Club: A Full Biography and Age List (December 23, 2025)
The list of living U.S. presidents currently spans a remarkable 19-year age range, from the early Baby Boomer generation to the cusp of Generation X. The recent passing of Jimmy Carter on December 29, 2024, at the age of 100, marked a significant moment, leaving a smaller, yet still historically senior, group of five.
- 1. Joseph Robinette Biden Jr. (46th President)
- Born: November 20, 1942, Scranton, Pennsylvania.
- Age (Dec 23, 2025): 83 years, 1 month, 3 days.
- Biography: Served as the 46th President from 2021 to 2025, and previously as the 47th Vice President from 2009 to 2017. He is the oldest person to have ever served as President of the United States. His long career in public service began with his election to the Senate in 1972.
- 2. George Walker Bush (43rd President)
- Born: July 6, 1946, New Haven, Connecticut.
- Age (Dec 23, 2025): 79 years, 5 months, 17 days.
- Biography: Served as the 43rd President from 2001 to 2009. Prior to his presidency, he served as the 46th Governor of Texas. He is the son of the 41st President, George H.W. Bush.
- 3. Donald John Trump (45th and 47th President)
- Born: June 14, 1946, Queens, New York.
- Age (Dec 23, 2025): 79 years, 6 months, 9 days.
- Biography: Served as the 45th President from 2017 to 2021, and began his second non-consecutive term as the 47th President in 2025. He is the first person to serve two non-consecutive terms since Grover Cleveland. At his 2025 inauguration, he became the oldest person to begin a term as president.
- 4. William Jefferson "Bill" Clinton (42nd President)
- Born: August 19, 1946, Hope, Arkansas.
- Age (Dec 23, 2025): 79 years, 4 months, 4 days.
- Biography: Served as the 42nd President from 1993 to 2001. A former Governor of Arkansas, Clinton was one of the youngest presidents ever elected, taking office at age 46.
- 5. Barack Hussein Obama II (44th President)
- Born: August 4, 1961, Honolulu, Hawaii.
- Age (Dec 23, 2025): 64 years, 4 months, 19 days.
- Biography: Served as the 44th President from 2009 to 2017. He is the youngest of the living presidents and the first African American to hold the office.
The '1946 Class': A Three-Way Race to 80 and the End of the Baby Boomer Era
Perhaps the most fascinating demographic detail among the living presidents is the "1946 Class." Three of the five—Donald Trump, George W. Bush, and Bill Clinton—were all born in 1946, the first year of the post-World War II Baby Boomer generation. This shared birth year makes them the most concentrated cohort of former presidents in American history.
Their collective political careers have defined American politics from the 1990s through the 2020s, yet their shared age now places them at the center of the growing national discussion on the age of leadership. While they represent starkly different political ideologies, their proximity in age highlights a generational continuity at the highest level of power.
The fact that three men who have held the most powerful office in the world are all turning 80 within a short span of each other in 2026 is a compelling narrative of presidential longevity and post-presidency activity. These leaders continue to command significant public attention, engage in global humanitarian efforts, and influence political movements, demonstrating a level of post-White House engagement that is historically intense and prolonged.
The Baby Boomer generation, often defined by its political and cultural dominance, has held the presidency for decades. As this powerful cohort enters its ninth decade of life, the natural generational shift is a key entity in the political landscape, with the younger Barack Obama representing the transition to a new era of leadership. The '1946 Class' is a profound symbol of this passing torch.
Gerontocracy in the White House: The Age and Fitness Debate
The advanced age of the living presidents, particularly the two most recent officeholders, Joe Biden and Donald Trump, has intensified the debate over America's "gerontocracy." The term, which refers to a state governed by old people, has been used frequently by political commentators and voters alike to describe the current state of U.S. leadership, extending beyond the presidency to the Senate and House of Representatives.
Concerns about age and fitness for office have been a recurring theme in recent election cycles. Public opinion polling in late 2024 and 2025 indicated that a significant portion of the American electorate was concerned about the cognitive abilities and physical health of both candidates. This scrutiny reflects a broader societal anxiety about the demands of the modern presidency and whether the oldest individuals in history are best equipped to handle them.
The 'Super-Agers' Phenomenon and Presidential Health
Despite the public concern, some medical analysis suggests that both President Trump and former President Biden may be what researchers call "Super-Agers"—individuals whose cognitive abilities are comparable to people decades younger. One study concluded that chronological age alone is not a relevant factor for either candidate, suggesting that their unique life experiences and physical health regimens may contribute to exceptional longevity and mental sharpness.
However, the intense media coverage of every stumble, misstatement, or health report underscores the political implications of age. The health of a presidential candidate or former president is no longer a private matter but a central political entity influencing electoral strategies and voter perceptions. The debate is less about a specific age limit and more about the transparency and assurance of continued capacity for the immense responsibilities of the office.
The historical context also plays a role. While Theodore Roosevelt was the youngest president to take office (42), and John F. Kennedy was the youngest elected (43), the trend has been toward older leaders. The post-presidency longevity of the current cohort, especially the late Jimmy Carter, who set a record for the longest-lived president at 100, raises the bar for what is expected of former commanders-in-chief in terms of their continued public service and influence.
As the political landscape continues to evolve, the ages of the living presidents will remain a flashpoint. Their combined wisdom and experience offer a deep historical perspective, but their seniority also forces a necessary and ongoing national discussion about the future of American leadership and the appropriate balance between experience and vigor in the Oval Office.
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