It is a small group. Honestly, it’s one of the most exclusive clubs on the planet, and the membership requirements are, to put it mildly, pretty steep. You have to win a grueling national election, survive four to eight years of the highest-stress job in existence, and then actually make it through the "afterlife" of public service. People ask about how many presidents are alive all the time because the number shifts just often enough to be confusing, especially as our former commanders-in-chief reach ages that were historically unthinkable.
As of early 2026, we have six living presidents.
That includes the current guy in the Oval Office and five men who used to sit there. It’s a fascinating mix of generational icons. You’ve got the Silent Generation represented, plenty of Boomers, and the very beginning of the late-stage political era.
The Current State of the Living Presidents
The list is led by Joe Biden, the 46th president. Then you have the former guys: Donald Trump, Barack Obama, George W. Bush, Bill Clinton, and the incredible Jimmy Carter.
Jimmy Carter is the outlier. He’s the one everyone is watching with a mix of awe and genuine affection. He entered hospice care back in early 2023, and yet, here we are in 2026, and he is still with us. He’s 101 years old. Think about that for a second. He was born in 1924. When he took office in 1977, the world was a completely different place—disco was king, the Cold War was freezing, and the internet was a niche government project called ARPANET.
The others are mostly clustered together in age. Trump, Clinton, and Bush were all born in the same year: 1946. It’s a weird quirk of history. Three men, all born within months of each other, who all ended up holding the most powerful position on Earth.
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Why the Number Matters for History
We haven't always had this many. In fact, there have been several points in American history where the sitting president was the only living president. Imagine being the only person who knows what it’s like to hold the nuclear codes. That happened after Richard Nixon died in 1994 (briefly) and has occurred multiple times in the 19th century. Having five former presidents around provides a unique sort of living library for the current administration, even if they don't always get along.
The Longevity Factor: Why Are They Living So Long?
When you look at how many presidents are alive, you have to acknowledge the role of modern medicine and the "post-presidency bubble."
Presidents get the best healthcare in the world. Period. It's not just the White House Medical Unit; it’s the lifelong Secret Service protection and the access to any specialist they need at a moment's notice. But it’s more than just doctors.
Life after the White House has changed. In the 1800s, presidents often went home to failing farms and mounting debt. They died relatively young. Ulysses S. Grant was writing his memoirs while dying of throat cancer just to keep his family out of poverty. Today, the post-presidency is a massive industry. It involves multimillion-dollar book deals, speaking circuits, and global foundations. This "active" retirement seems to keep them going.
Barack Obama is still relatively young in political terms. He’s in his mid-60s. He’s out there producing documentaries and kitesurfing, looking like he could go another thirty years. George W. Bush took up oil painting and mountain biking. Bill Clinton, despite some heart scares in the mid-2000s, has stayed remarkably active on the global stage.
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The Jimmy Carter Anomaly
We need to talk more about Carter because he breaks all the rules. Most people assumed the question of how many presidents are alive would change in 2023 or 2024. Carter’s longevity is a testament to his resilience and, frankly, his lack of interest in the typical "glamour" of the post-presidency. He went back to Plains, Georgia. He built houses. He taught Sunday school.
His health has been a topic of national conversation for years. He survived metastatic brain cancer in his 90s. He survived hip replacements and falls. He chose hospice care because he wanted to be at home, but his "stay" in hospice has redefined what that term means for a lot of Americans. It shows that even at 101, there is a will to see what happens next.
Common Misconceptions About the "Former Presidents Club"
People often think these guys are all best friends. They aren't. While there is a "Presidential Club" (a term coined by Nancy Gibbs and Michael Duffy), it's more of a professional courtesy than a social circle.
- They don't all get the same briefings: While former presidents can receive intelligence briefings, it's at the discretion of the current president.
- The Secret Service is forever: Since 2013, former presidents get lifetime protection again. For a while, it was limited to 10 years, but that was changed back because, well, the world is a dangerous place.
- The "Presidential Pension" is significant but not "rich" rich: They get about $220,000 a year. That’s a lot of money to most of us, but compared to their book deals, it’s pocket change.
What Happens When the Number Changes?
The protocol for a presidential passing is incredibly strict. It's called "State Funeral" planning. Each president, upon taking office, actually has to start helping plan their own funeral. It sounds morbid. It is. But the logistics of moving a former world leader through Washington D.C. require years of lead time.
When the count of how many presidents are alive drops, the nation goes into a period of formal mourning. Flags go to half-staff for 30 days. There is a coordinated effort between the military, the Secret Service, and the family. We saw this most recently with George H.W. Bush in 2018. It was a week-long series of events that temporarily paused the political bickering of the day.
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The Political Impact of Living Ex-Presidents
Having five former presidents creates a weird shadow cabinet. During the inauguration of a new president, seeing them all lined up is a powerful visual of the peaceful transfer of power. It’s a reminder that the office is temporary, but the institution is permanent.
However, it also creates friction. In the past, former presidents mostly stayed quiet. They didn't criticize their successors. That "norm" has essentially vanished in the last decade. Now, former presidents are active campaigners. They use their platforms to influence current policy, which makes the "Club" a lot more tense than it used to be during the era of Eisenhower or Truman.
Looking Ahead: The Future of the Number
The average age of our political leaders has been trending upward for a long time. This means we will likely continue to see a high number of living former presidents.
As of right now, the youngest living former president is Barack Obama. If he lives as long as Jimmy Carter, he will be with us until the year 2062. Just let that sink in. We are looking at a future where a president from the 2000s could still be commenting on world events in the middle of the 21st century.
Actionable Insights for Following Presidential History
If you're interested in keeping up with this specific group of people, there are better ways than just waiting for news alerts.
- Visit the Presidential Libraries: Each of the living former presidents has (or is building) a library. These aren't just stacks of books; they are massive museums. The Clinton Library in Little Rock, the Bush Library in Dallas, and the Obama Presidential Center in Chicago are the best places to understand their actual impact.
- Follow the Carter Center: If you want to understand why Jimmy Carter is still such a massive figure at 101, look at the work his center does with Guinea worm disease eradication. It’s arguably the most successful post-presidency in history.
- Watch the National Archives: They manage the transition of records. When a president leaves office, the fight over what becomes "public" begins immediately.
- Read the Memoirs: If you want to understand the human side, read A Promised Land (Obama) or Decision Points (Bush). They give context to the decisions that these six men made while in the "hot seat."
The number of living presidents is a heartbeat for the American experiment. Right now, that heart is beating six times. From the centenarian in Georgia to the current occupant of the White House, this group represents over 40 years of American history walking, talking, and still influencing the world. It won't stay at six forever, but for now, it's a remarkably robust group of survivors.