It is a strange, exclusive club. There is no application process, the initiation is a grueling four-to-eight-year marathon, and once you are in, you can never really leave. I am talking about the "Presidents Club." As of early 2026, the roster of ex presidents still alive has shifted in ways that feel both inevitable and startling.
We recently lost Jimmy Carter. He made it to 100, a milestone that felt like a personal victory for everyone who followed his tireless work with Habitat for Humanity. His passing in late 2024 closed a massive chapter of American history. Now, the group is smaller, but no less active. You might think these guys just spend their days playing golf or hiding away in wood-paneled libraries. Some do. Others? They are still right in the thick of it.
Who Are the Ex Presidents Still Alive Right Now?
Right now, the list is a mix of elder statesmen and men who are still very much part of the daily news cycle. Here is the current lineup of living former commanders-in-chief:
- Bill Clinton (42nd President)
- George W. Bush (43rd President)
- Barack Obama (44th President)
- Joe Biden (46th President)
Wait, where is Donald Trump? Well, as of January 2026, he is the sitting 47th President, having returned to the White House after the 2024 election. This makes the "former president" label a bit tricky for him. While he is a former president (the 45th), he is currently the active one. For the sake of looking at life after the presidency, we really have to look at the four men currently living as private citizens.
Joe Biden: The Newest Member of the Club
Joe Biden joined the ranks of former presidents just a year ago. Honestly, he has kept a relatively low profile compared to the firestorm of his final months in office. At 83, he holds the record for the oldest person to have ever served as president.
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Lately, he’s been spending time in Rehoboth Beach and Wilmington. You don't see him on cable news every night. Instead, he seems to be focusing on the Biden Institute and perhaps starting work on what will surely be a massive memoir. He’s also had to watch from the sidelines as the current administration moves to dismantle several of his signature policies, like the ESG investment regulations. It’s gotta be a weird feeling, seeing your life's work getting "undone" while you're just trying to enjoy a quiet breakfast.
Barack Obama: The Cultural Powerhouse
Barack Obama is basically a mogul now. You've probably seen his name in the credits of a Netflix documentary or heard him on a podcast. He and Michelle have turned "post-presidential life" into a media empire with Higher Ground Productions.
The big news for 2026 is the Obama Presidential Center in Chicago. It’s scheduled to open this spring. It’s not just a library; it’s a massive campus designed to be a "living" center for activism. Obama is only 64. He’s young for this club. He still carries a lot of weight in the Democratic party, and when he speaks, people—especially younger voters—actually listen. He manages to stay relevant without being "annoying" about it, which is a tough needle to thread.
George W. Bush: The Quiet Artist
If you told someone in 2004 that "W" would spend his retirement painting bathtub self-portraits and immigrants, they would have laughed at you. But here we are. George W. Bush has largely retreated to his ranch in Crawford and his home in Dallas.
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He’s 79 now. He pops up at Dallas Cowboys games or the occasional Rangers game. He’s also been very focused on the George & Barbara Bush Foundation. Just this February, they are hosting a "Presidential Salute" in Houston. He’s stayed out of the mud-slinging of modern politics, which has actually helped his approval rating soar among people who used to can't stand him. It’s the "elder statesman" effect.
Bill Clinton: The Policy Wonk Under Pressure
Bill Clinton is also 79, but his "retirement" has been a bit more turbulent lately. While he still leads the Clinton Global Initiative (CGI), he’s been facing some heat from Congress. As recently as January 2026, the House Oversight Committee has been pushing for testimony regarding historical investigations.
Health-wise, he’s had some scares—heart issues, sepsis a few years back—but he’s still out there. He published a memoir called Citizen in late 2024, focusing specifically on his life after the White House. He’s become a bit of a grandfatherly figure in the party, though a controversial one. He and Hillary are mostly seen these days supporting Chelsea’s work or appearing at global summits.
What Do They Actually Do All Day?
You might think they just sit around counting their pensions. (By the way, that pension is around $220,000 a year, plus office space and staff). But these guys are usually workaholics.
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- The Library Race: Every president wants a monument. Obama’s is the big project right now, but the Bush and Clinton libraries are constantly hosting events and scholars.
- The Speaking Circuit: This is where the real money is. A single speech can net a former president anywhere from $100k to $400k.
- Diplomacy: Sometimes the sitting president will send a "former" to a funeral or a delicate negotiation. It’s a way to use their "stature" without the baggage of current policy.
Why This Club Matters
Seeing ex presidents still alive and interacting is a weirdly stabilizing force for the country. It reminds us that the job is temporary. Whether you love 'em or hate 'em, there’s a certain respect that comes with having survived the "toughest job in the world."
If you're looking to dive deeper into how these men spent their time, I'd highly recommend visiting one of their libraries. The Bush library in Dallas is actually free on Presidents Day this year (February 16, 2026). It’s a great way to see the "human" side of the office before they became the guys in the history books.
Your next steps: * Check the schedule for the Obama Presidential Center opening if you’re in the Chicago area this spring.
- Pick up a copy of Clinton's Citizen for a real look at how hard it is to actually "retire" from the world stage.
- Follow the George & Barbara Bush Foundation for updates on their 2026 events if you're into the historical side of things.