The Exclusive List: Only 4 Ex-Presidents Are Still Alive In 2025—And What They're Doing Now

As of today, December 18, 2025, the United States has four living former Presidents. This number has been a subject of intense public curiosity and historical significance, especially following the passing of the longest-living U.S. President, Jimmy Carter, in late 2024, and the subsequent change in administration in January 2025. The current roster of living individuals who have held the nation's highest office—excluding the sitting President—represents a unique and powerful cohort of global figures.

The collective wisdom, influence, and post-presidency work of these four men—Joe Biden, Barack Obama, George W. Bush, and Bill Clinton—continue to shape domestic and international policy, philanthropy, and public discourse. From launching major global initiatives to dedicating their time to the arts, their lives after the White House offer a fascinating study in American leadership and retirement.

The Four Living Former Presidents: Complete Biographical Profiles

The following list details the four living former U.S. Presidents, arranged by the end date of their term, providing a snapshot of their life and political career up to the current date of late 2025. This group is notable for its historical age and the length of their respective retirements.

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1. Bill Clinton (42nd President)

• Full Name: William Jefferson Clinton
• Date of Birth: August 19, 1946
• Current Age (Dec 2025): 79 years old
• Term of Office: January 20, 1993 – January 20, 2001
• First Lady: Hillary Rodham Clinton
• Home State: Arkansas
• Post-Presidency Focus: Global health, economic development, and climate change through the Clinton Foundation and the Clinton Global Initiative (CGI).

2. George W. Bush (43rd President)

• Full Name: George Walker Bush
• Date of Birth: July 6, 1946
• Current Age (Dec 2025): 79 years old
• Term of Office: January 20, 2001 – January 20, 2009
• First Lady: Laura Welch Bush
• Home State: Texas
• Post-Presidency Focus: Veteran support, painting, the George W. Bush Presidential Center, and the Bush Institute.

3. Barack Obama (44th President)

• Full Name: Barack Hussein Obama II
• Date of Birth: August 4, 1961
• Current Age (Dec 2025): 64 years old
• Term of Office: January 20, 2009 – January 20, 2017
• First Lady: Michelle LaVaughn Robinson Obama
• Home State: Illinois
• Post-Presidency Focus: Mentoring young leaders, democratic citizenship, and global engagement through the Obama Foundation and the ongoing development of the Obama Presidential Center in Chicago.

4. Joe Biden (46th President)

• Full Name: Joseph Robinette Biden Jr.
• Date of Birth: November 20, 1942
• Current Age (Dec 2025): 83 years old
• Term of Office: January 20, 2021 – January 20, 2025
• First Lady: Jill Tracy Jacobs Biden
• Home State: Delaware
• Post-Presidency Focus: Policy work via the Biden Institute at the University of Delaware and the Penn Biden Center, and the planning/fundraising for his forthcoming Presidential Library.

The Exclusive "Ex-Presidents Club": A Look at Their Post-White House Lives

Leaving the White House is not a retirement in the traditional sense; it is an immediate transition to a new form of public service. The four living former presidents have each carved out a distinct and influential post-presidency path, focusing their efforts on issues ranging from global health to youth leadership and the arts.

The Eldest Statesman: Joe Biden’s Return to Policy and Academia

Having concluded his term as the 46th President in January 2025, Joe Biden immediately became the oldest living former U.S. President, a title previously held by Jimmy Carter. His post-presidency life is expected to heavily leverage his decades of experience in both domestic and foreign policy.

Biden's immediate focus has been on establishing his presidential library, which is anticipated to be built in his home state of Delaware. Furthermore, he has indicated a continued commitment to policy work through academic centers. He plans to return to his work with the University of Delaware's Biden Institute and the Penn Biden Center for Diplomacy and Global Engagement, where he will continue to share insights and engage with world leaders behind the scenes.

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The Global Philanthropists: Clinton and Obama’s Foundation Work

Both Bill Clinton and Barack Obama have utilized their post-presidency to build massive global foundations that tackle complex, worldwide issues. Their work has created two of the most powerful non-governmental entities in global development and leadership.

Bill Clinton and the Clinton Global Initiative (CGI)

Bill Clinton, who has one of the longest post-presidency retirements in history, continues to be a driving force in global philanthropy. His primary vehicle, the Clinton Foundation, focuses on four main areas: global health and wellness, climate change, economic opportunity, and girls’ and women’s equality. The Clinton Global Initiative (CGI) remains active, hosting major summits in 2025 to address pressing issues like the "war on science and public health," and the dismantling of foreign assistance programs.

Barack Obama and the Obama Foundation

Barack Obama's post-presidency is defined by his commitment to fostering the next generation of leaders. The Obama Foundation is actively working on the Obama Presidential Center (OPC) in Chicago, with construction updates continuing through late 2025. The OPC is not a traditional library but a dynamic campus designed to be a hub for global citizenship and community engagement. Obama himself remains a popular speaker, headlining major events in 2025, and continues to be politically active, often campaigning for Democratic candidates.

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George W. Bush: The Painter and Advocate for Veterans

George W. Bush has cultivated a unique and surprisingly low-key post-presidency life, centered on two main passions: painting and advocacy. After leaving office with a relatively low approval rating, Bush has successfully redefined his image, becoming known as a talented portrait artist.

His artistic subjects often include world leaders and, most notably, veterans. His work has drawn significant public and critical attention, showcasing a deeply personal side to the former commander-in-chief. Alongside his wife, Laura Bush, he has focused the Bush Institute on critical issues like military service initiative, education reform, and global health. His retirement is often cited as an exemplar of aging with dignity, centered on faith, family, and friends.

The Historical Context: The Significance of the Number Four

The number of living former presidents is a constantly changing historical metric. The current number of four former presidents (Biden, Obama, Bush, Clinton) is historically low compared to other periods. For instance, in 2017, there were five living former presidents (Obama, Bush, Clinton, Carter, H.W. Bush). The passing of Jimmy Carter in 2024, after a record-breaking life of over 100 years, marked a significant moment in this historical record.

The collective age of this group is also noteworthy. With three of the four men—Biden, Clinton, and Bush—now in their late 70s and early 80s, the current cohort is one of the oldest in history. The transition of the oldest living former president title to Joe Biden underscores the changing demographics of former U.S. leaders and the increasing longevity of those who have held the nation's highest office. Their continued public engagement, despite their advanced ages, serves as a powerful reminder of the enduring nature of the presidential legacy.

The ability of these former leaders to set aside political differences and often appear together for national and ceremonial events—such as the dedication of presidential libraries or state funerals—is a tradition that continues to hold deep symbolic importance for the nation, highlighting a commitment to democracy that transcends partisan politics.