Ever get that weird feeling where you realize a piece of history is still just... walking around? It's kind of a trip. We talk about presidents like they are characters in a textbook, but right now, in early 2026, we have a very specific group of men who have held the nuclear codes and are still living among us.
Honestly, the number changes more often than you’d think. People get confused because of the 2024 election cycle and some major headlines regarding the health of our oldest statesmen. So, let’s just get the big question out of the way immediately.
As of mid-January 2026, there are 5 living American presidents.
How many american presidents are still alive right now?
Wait, didn't it used to be six? Yeah, it did. For a long time, we had a record-breaking streak of longevity. But as of today, the "Presidential Club" has shrunk slightly.
The current list includes:
- Bill Clinton (42nd)
- George W. Bush (43rd)
- Barack Obama (44th)
- Joe Biden (46th)
- Donald Trump (45th and 47th)
You might notice a name missing there. Jimmy Carter, the man who basically redefined what it means to be a "former" president, passed away on December 29, 2024, at the incredible age of 100. He spent nearly two years in hospice care in Plains, Georgia, defying every medical prediction in the book. His passing marked the end of an era for the group.
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The Weird Math of Donald Trump
It’s worth noting that Donald Trump is currently serving his second, non-consecutive term as the 47th president. So, while he’s "alive," he’s not a "former" president in the same way the others are right now. He is the sitting commander-in-chief. This puts him in a unique spot—he's part of the living presidents' count, but he's also the one currently behind the Resolute Desk.
What are the living presidents actually doing in 2026?
They don’t just sit around and watch the news all day. Well, maybe some of them do, but most are surprisingly busy.
Joe Biden: The Newest Retiree
Joe Biden officially handed over the keys to the White House exactly one year ago, in January 2025. He's been keeping a relatively low profile lately, mostly splitting his time between Wilmington and Rehoboth Beach. There was that health scare in May 2025 when he was diagnosed with prostate cancer, but his team has been pretty insistent that he’s managing it well. You’ll occasionally see him popping up at events for the Delaware community, looking like a guy who is finally glad he doesn't have to check a morning intelligence briefing anymore.
Barack Obama: The Cultural Icon
Obama is 64 now. Can you believe that? He’s basically the elder statesman of the Democratic party. Most of his 2025 was spent hovering over the construction of the Obama Presidential Center in Chicago, which is actually slated for its grand opening later this year in 2026. He’s also been out on the trail recently, helping out with gubernatorial races. He still has that "rockstar" pull that brings in the crowds, even a decade after leaving office.
George W. Bush: The Painter in Texas
"W" is almost 80. He lives a quiet life in Dallas. If you follow presidential news, you know he mostly sticks to his mountain biking, his oil paintings (which have actually gotten pretty good), and the occasional appearance at a Dallas Cowboys game. He’s stayed remarkably out of the partisan mud-slinging of the last few years. He basically just wants to paint his portraits and hang out with Laura.
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Bill Clinton: The Health Watch
Bill Clinton is the same age as George W. Bush (79), but his health has been a bit more of a headline-grabber. In late 2024, he had a rough bout with the flu that landed him in the hospital, and more recently, people have spotted him traveling with medical aides. Still, he published his memoir Citizen recently, and he still shows up for Clinton Global Initiative events when he’s feeling up to it. His voice is a bit raspier, and he moves a little slower, but the political brain is still very much active.
Why this number actually matters for history
When you ask how many american presidents are still alive, you aren't just asking for a trivia fact. It’s about the "living memory" of the country.
Think about it. We have a direct line of living history that stretches from the Cold War and the 1990s (Clinton) through the 9/11 era (Bush), the first Black presidency (Obama), and the turbulent 2020s (Biden and Trump).
When a former president dies, we lose a primary source. We lose a perspective on the "why" behind some of the biggest decisions in world history.
The Longevity Record
Jimmy Carter set a bar that likely won't be cleared for a long time. He lived 43 years after leaving the White House. To put that in perspective, George W. Bush would have to live until the year 2052 to match that "post-presidency" retirement length.
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- Jimmy Carter: Died at 100.
- George H.W. Bush: Died at 94.
- Gerald Ford: Died at 93.
- Ronald Reagan: Died at 93.
The "modern" presidents are actually living significantly longer than the Founding Fathers did, mostly because they have the best healthcare on the planet and, let's be honest, they aren't dying of smallpox or infections from horseback riding accidents.
Misconceptions about the Living Presidents
People often think there’s a secret "clubhouse" where they all hang out. There isn't. Honestly, the relationship between Trump and his predecessors has been pretty chilly for years. Most of them didn't even attend his first inauguration's aftermath with much warmth, and the 2024 election didn't help things.
Usually, they only all get together for two things:
- Funerals (like Carter's in early 2025)
- Presidential Library Openings (like Obama's coming up this year)
When they do get together, the body language is fascinating. You can see the "shared trauma" of the office in their eyes, even if they disagree on every single policy point.
What to watch for next
Keep an eye on the Obama Presidential Center opening in Chicago. That will likely be the next time we see the "Living Presidents" together in one frame—assuming everyone's health holds up. It’s always a viral moment because it reminds us that despite the screaming on cable news, there is a very small, very exclusive group of people who actually know what it’s like to sit in that chair.
If you’re tracking this for a school project or just out of pure curiosity, remember that the number 5 is the current count. It’s a fragile number. With three of those men (Trump, Bush, and Clinton) entering their 80s very soon, and Biden already there, we are in a season of transition for American leadership history.
Next Steps for You:
If you want to see these guys in action, check out the archives at the C-SPAN Presidential Libraries collection. It’s the best way to see how their physical presence and speaking styles have evolved from their time in office to their lives as private citizens. You can also visit the Carter Center website to see the final legacy projects Jimmy Carter finished before his passing—it’s a pretty inspiring look at how to spend a retirement.