How Many Former US Presidents Are Living: The Exclusive Members of the Presidents Club

It is a small group. Honestly, it's the most exclusive club on the planet. When you think about how many former US presidents are living, you aren't looking at a stadium crowd or even a busy boardroom. You are looking at exactly five men.

The number changed recently. For a long time, we had six. But after the passing of Jimmy Carter in late 2024—the man who defied every actuarial table by reaching 100—the count shifted. Now, as we move through 2026, the roster is a mix of elder statesmen and active political forces.

Who are they? Basically, the list includes Bill Clinton, George W. Bush, Barack Obama, Donald Trump, and Joe Biden.

It is weird to think about. These five men have held the most powerful job in the world, and they all live with the same permanent shadow: the Secret Service. They can't just go to a 7-Eleven for a Slurpee. They live in a bubble that never pops, even after they hand over the keys to the White House.

The Current Count: How Many Former US Presidents Are Living Right Now?

Right now, there are five former US presidents living in the United States.

1. Bill Clinton (42nd President): Born in 1946. He's been out of office since 2001, which feels like a lifetime ago.
2. George W. Bush (43rd President): Also born in 1946. He’s mostly traded the Situation Room for an art studio in Texas.
3. Barack Obama (44th President): Born in 1961. The youngest of the bunch, though the grey hair tells the story of eight years in the West Wing.
4. Donald Trump (45th and 47th President): Born in 1946. This is where it gets a little "unique" for the history books. Since he returned to the presidency in 2025, he is technically both a former president and the current one.
5. Joe Biden (46th President): Born in 1942. He became a former president on January 20, 2025, and currently holds the title of the oldest living person to have ever served as commander-in-chief.

It's sort of a "Class of 46" situation for three of them. Clinton, Bush, and Trump were all born in the same year. That is a wild statistical anomaly if you think about it. Three different men, three completely different ideologies, all born within a few months of each other, all ending up in the same chair.

💡 You might also like: Passive Resistance Explained: Why It Is Way More Than Just Standing Still

Why the Number Five Matters

Having five living former presidents is actually somewhat rare. We’ve had moments in history where the number was zero. Imagine that. In 1973, after Lyndon B. Johnson died, there were no living former presidents for a brief window until Richard Nixon resigned in 1974.

The record for the most living presidents at once is six. We’ve hit that a few times, most recently during the window between Joe Biden’s inauguration in 2021 and Jimmy Carter’s death. It’s a sign of modern medicine, really. These guys get the best healthcare on Earth.

Life After the Oval Office

What do they actually do?

Joe Biden has kept a relatively low profile since leaving office in 2025. After a half-century in public service, he's earned some quiet time. George W. Bush is famously into painting. He paints world leaders, veterans, and even his own feet in the bathtub—honestly, his art is surprisingly good.

Barack Obama is basically a media mogul now. Between the Netflix deals and the memoirs, he’s staying relevant without the daily grind of polling numbers. Bill Clinton still does the "Global Initiative" thing, though his health has had some scares over the last few years, including a heart surgery or two.

📖 Related: What Really Happened With the Women's Orchestra of Auschwitz

Then there's Trump. He broke the mold by going back. Most former presidents write a book, build a library, and try to stay out of the current guy's way. He didn't do that.

The Burden of the "Ex-President"

Being a former president isn't all golf and high-priced speaking gigs. You are a target for life. The Secret Service detail is mandatory. You can't drive yourself on public roads. Ever.

Think about that. George W. Bush hasn't driven on a highway in over 20 years.

Surprising Facts About the Living Presidents

• The 1946 Connection: Again, Clinton, Bush, and Trump. It’s like the universe had a specific plan for that year.
• The Longevity Record: Jimmy Carter set the bar so high that no one else is even close. He lived 43 years after leaving the White House. For context, Joe Biden would have to live until the 2060s to beat that.
• The Library Race: Every one of these guys has (or is building) a massive library. They aren't just for books; they are monuments to their legacies, filled with every email and paper scrap from their four or eight years in power.

Ranking the Ages

If you’re wondering who the "elder" is now that Carter is gone, it’s Joe Biden. He’s 83.

Donald Trump is right behind him, followed by the 1946 duo of Bush and Clinton. Obama is the "baby" of the group at 64. He’s got decades of post-presidency left, which is a lot of time to fill.

👉 See also: How Much Did Trump Add to the National Debt Explained (Simply)

What's Next for the "Presidents Club"?

The dynamic of this group is... tense. Usually, former presidents form a bit of a brotherhood. They understand the pressure. They usually play nice at funerals and inaugurations.

But the current political climate has fractured that a bit. The "Presidents Club" doesn't meet for lunch. They don't have a group chat. They are five men who share a title but often very little else.

If you want to stay updated on their latest moves, keep an eye on the National Archives. They handle the transition of records, which is usually the last big "event" of a presidency before the libraries open. You can also track the Presidential Allowance Act reports if you're curious about how much taxpayer money goes into their offices and staff.

Actionable Next Steps:

• Visit a Presidential Library: If you’re near Dallas (Bush), Little Rock (Clinton), or Chicago (Obama's center), go. It’s the best way to see the "non-political" side of their lives.
• Check the National Park Service: They manage several homes of former presidents that are open to the public, offering a look at where these men came from before they became "The President."
• Read the memoirs: If you want the real tea, read A Promised Land (Obama) or Decision Points (Bush). They give you a much better sense of the person behind the podium.

The number of living presidents will always be small, but the impact they have on the country never really ends. They are the only people who truly know what it’s like to have the "football" nearby and the weight of the world on their shoulders.