How Many Former Presidents Are Living: The Inside Story of the 2026 Presidents Club

History has a funny way of shifting right under your feet. Honestly, if you asked this question a few years ago, the answer was a steady six. But as of January 2026, the "Presidents Club" has gotten a little smaller, and frankly, a lot more complicated.

There are currently five living former presidents of the United States.

The list includes Bill Clinton, George W. Bush, Barack Obama, Donald Trump, and Joe Biden. If that last name feels a bit strange to see on a "former" list, it's because we've recently crossed the one-year anniversary of the 2025 inauguration. Joe Biden joined the ranks of the retired on January 20, 2025, handing the keys back to Donald Trump, who now holds the unique distinction of being both a former president and the current one.

The End of an Era: Remembering Jimmy Carter

You can't talk about how many former presidents are living without mentioning the massive void left by Jimmy Carter. He was the anchor of this group for decades.

Jimmy Carter passed away on December 29, 2024.

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He didn't just break records; he shattered them. Carter lived to be 100 years old, becoming the first American president to hit the centenarian mark. Most people thought he was close to the end when he entered hospice care in early 2023, but the man had a legendary will. He stayed in hospice for nearly two years, eventually seeing his 100th birthday in Plains, Georgia, before peacefully passing away.

His state funeral in early 2025 was a rare moment of "forced" civility. It was the last time we saw the entire living Presidents Club in one room. It was awkward. It was somber. It was history.

Who is Still in the Club?

With Carter gone, the dynamics of the former presidents have shifted. Here is the breakdown of the five men who have held the highest office and are still with us today:

• Bill Clinton (42nd President): Born in August 1946, Clinton is now 79. He’s dealt with some well-documented health scares over the years—heart bypasses, stents, and a sepsis bout in 2021—but he remains active through the Clinton Foundation and recently released a memoir, Citizen, detailing his life after the White House.
• George W. Bush (43rd President): Also born in 1946 (it was a big year for presidents), "Dubya" is 79 as well. These days, you’re more likely to find him with a paintbrush in his hand at his Texas ranch than behind a podium. He’s mostly stayed out of the daily political mudslinging, though he’s made his feelings known through subtle silences.
• Barack Obama (44th President): At 64, Obama is the "youngster" of the group. He’s arguably the most influential former president in terms of cultural reach, balancing a massive Netflix deal with his continued role as a powerhouse in the Democratic party.
• Donald Trump (45th and 47th President): This is where the "how many" question gets tricky for some. Trump is a former president, but since January 2025, he is also the sitting president. He is currently 79 years old and is on track to become the oldest serving president in history by the end of this term, surpassing the record previously held by Joe Biden.
• Joe Biden (46th President): Biden is the newest addition to the former presidents' roster. At 83, he is the oldest living member of the group. Since leaving office in early 2025, he has largely retreated to his home in Delaware, focusing on his health and his family after a half-century in the public eye.

Why the "Presidents Club" Is Strained Right Now

Normally, former presidents form a sort of "fraternity." They help each other out, they do charity work together, and they mostly keep their criticisms of the current guy to a minimum.

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That tradition is basically dead.

Since Trump’s return to the White House in 2025, the rift has widened. We’ve seen the demolition of parts of the East Wing to make room for a new ballroom and the creation of a "Presidential Walk of Fame" on the White House grounds. This "Walk of Fame" includes plaques that openly mock Biden, Obama, and Clinton.

It’s personal now.

When George W. Bush attended Jimmy Carter’s funeral in 2025, observers noted he barely spoke to Trump. Biden’s post-presidency has been defined by a quiet, almost somber distance from the current administration. We are living through an era where the former presidents don't just disagree on policy; they represent two entirely different visions of what the office even is.

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Longevity and the Presidency

Being president usually ages a person ten years for every four they serve. Just look at the graying hair of any two-term leader. But lately, our presidents are living longer than ever.

Modern medicine helps. Access to 24/7 world-class care doesn't hurt either. But there’s also something to be said for the "will" that Jimmy Carter’s pastor often talked about.

Current Ages of Living Presidents (as of January 2026):

1. Joe Biden: 83
2. Donald Trump: 79
3. Bill Clinton: 79
4. George W. Bush: 79
5. Barack Obama: 64

It’s wild to think that four out of the five living presidents were born within a few years of each other. We are currently witnessing the final chapter of a specific generation of American leadership.

Actionable Insights for History Buffs

If you're following the lives of these former leaders, keep an eye on these three things over the next year:

• The 250th Anniversary: 2026 marks the 250th anniversary of the United States. Expect some of these former presidents to make rare public appearances—though likely not all together.
• Library Updates: The Obama Presidential Center in Chicago is nearing major milestones. These centers are the best way to see how a former president wants to be remembered.
• The Carter Legacy: Watch how the Carter Center in Atlanta transitions into its first full year without its founder. They are still the gold standard for how a former president can impact global health.

Understanding how many former presidents are living isn't just a trivia fact; it's a snapshot of the health of the American transition of power.

Take the next step in your research by visiting the official National Archives to explore the digital collections of each former president's administration.