It is a weird, high-stakes group. Membership is exclusive. You basically have to survive the most stressful job on the planet to get in, and then you spend the rest of your life surrounded by men in dark suits with earpieces. Honestly, being an ex-president is a full-time gig in itself. As of early 2026, the landscape of ex us presidents still alive has changed significantly, especially with the recent passing of some giants and the unprecedented return of another to the Oval Office.
Right now, there are five living former presidents. That’s the count.
For a long time, we had six. But history moved on. Jimmy Carter, the man who redefined what a post-presidency could look like, finally passed away in late 2024 at the age of 100. It felt like the end of an era because, frankly, it was. Now, the "Presidents Club" consists of Bill Clinton, George W. Bush, Barack Obama, Donald Trump (who is technically both a former and current president), and Joe Biden.
Who are the ex us presidents still alive right now?
Keeping track of these guys is harder than you'd think. People often forget that Donald Trump is currently serving his second term, which makes him a "former" president who is also the "current" one. It’s a bit of a headache for historians.
Joe Biden: The Newest Member
Joe Biden joined the ranks of the former presidents on January 20, 2025. He’s 83 now. After fifty years in Washington, he finally packed up and headed back to Delaware and California.
It hasn't been a quiet retirement. Biden has been dealing with some pretty serious health news. In mid-2025, he went public with a diagnosis of an aggressive form of prostate cancer. He’s been undergoing treatment while trying to write his White House memoir. You’ve probably seen the headlines—the publishers are reportedly on a "fast-track" schedule for the book because of his age. He’s still "in the fight," as he likes to say, but he’s definitely stepped back from the daily political grind.
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Barack Obama: The Cultural Icon
Barack Obama is 64. That’s young for this group. He’s basically the "cool" elder statesman now.
Most of his energy lately has been poured into the Obama Presidential Center in Chicago. It’s a massive project on the South Side. If you’ve been following the construction updates, they are aiming for a June 2026 opening. It’s not just a library; they’ve got a basketball court called "Main Court" and a whole bunch of gardens. He’s still doing the Netflix thing and the podcasts, but the Chicago center is clearly his legacy play.
George W. Bush: The Quiet Texan
W. is 79. He’s pretty much stayed out of the line of fire. You mostly see him at Dallas Cowboys games or at events for his foundation.
On February 12, 2026, he’s scheduled to headline a "Presidential Salute" in Houston. He spends a lot of time painting and hanging out at his ranch in Crawford. Unlike some of the others, he’s been very disciplined about not commenting on current politics. He’s the guy who decided that once you’re done, you’re done.
Bill Clinton: The Policy Wonk in Exile
Bill Clinton is also 79. He was born just a few weeks after George W. Bush in 1946. It was a big year for presidents.
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Lately, things have been a bit rocky for him. Just this week—January 2026—there’s been a ton of news about the House Oversight Committee moving to hold him and Hillary Clinton in contempt of Congress. It’s all tied to subpoenas regarding the Jeffrey Epstein investigation. He’s also been dealing with recurring health issues, which isn’t surprising given his history with heart surgery and sepsis. He published his latest book, Citizen, at the end of 2024, focusing on his life after the White House.
Donald Trump: The Hybrid
Donald Trump is 79. He’s the 45th and the 47th. Because he is currently in office, he doesn't exactly act like the other ex us presidents still alive. He’s not writing memoirs or building a quiet library in the woods; he’s running the country. However, he still holds the title of a former president. He’s the oldest person to ever hold the office, a record he took from Joe Biden.
The "Presidents Club" Isn't as Friendly as It Used to Be
There’s this myth that all former presidents are best friends. You’ve seen the photos of them laughing at funerals. It’s kinda true, but also kinda not.
The bond is real because only they know what it’s like to have the "nuclear football" following them into the bathroom. But the tension is real too. When they gathered for Jimmy Carter’s funeral in early 2025, the body language was... interesting. Trump and Obama sat next to each other, but it wasn't exactly a warm reunion. They shook hands, but Michelle Obama didn't even attend.
- The Bush-Clinton Era: These two were famously close, almost like brothers.
- The Modern Rift: The political divide between the Trump/Biden/Obama camps has made the "club" a lot more fractured than it was in the 90s.
- The Shared Burden: Despite the hate, they all share the same Secret Service protection and the same pension (which is around $220,000 a year, by the way).
What Most People Get Wrong About Former Presidents
You probably think they just play golf. Some do. But the post-presidency is actually a highly regulated, expensive operation.
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The Former Presidents Act of 1958 ensures they get a lot of perks, but it also means they are never truly private citizens again. They get money for office space and staff, but it’s never enough to cover the "world-leader" lifestyle they are expected to maintain. That’s why they all write books and give $400,000 speeches. They have to fund the lifestyle.
Also, the Secret Service? That’s for life. Everywhere they go, a team goes first. Imagine trying to go to a local Starbucks and having ten guys in suits sweep the place for bombs. It gets old.
Why the 2024-2026 Shift Matters
The passing of Jimmy Carter changed the math. He was the moral compass of the group. He spent 40 years building houses and monitoring elections. Without him, the group feels more like a collection of political rivals than a group of retired statesmen.
Actionable Insights: How to Follow Their Legacy
If you’re interested in what these men are doing, don't just watch the news. The news is usually about the drama. If you want the real substance, look at their foundations.
- Check the Archives: The National Archives handles the official records. If you want to see what Biden or Trump actually did in their first terms, the digital libraries are the place to go.
- Visit the Centers: The Bush Center in Dallas and the upcoming Obama Center in Chicago are actually great museums, regardless of your politics.
- Read the Memoirs: If you want to understand Joe Biden's current mindset, wait for the book he’s writing right now. It’s likely to be his final word on his fifty-year career.
- Watch the Oversight Hearings: If you’re following the Bill Clinton situation, the House Oversight website livestreams the markups. It’s a rare look at how a former president deals with legal challenges years after leaving office.
The "Presidents Club" is shrinking in some ways and getting more complicated in others. With ages ranging from 64 to 83, the health and activities of these five men will continue to be a major part of the American story throughout 2026. Stay tuned to the official foundation sites for the most accurate, non-filtered updates on their projects.