Honestly, the "Presidents Club" is a lot smaller than it used to be. For years, we all got used to Jimmy Carter being the anchor of that group, the guy who just wouldn't quit. But things changed at the tail end of 2024. When Carter passed away at the age of 100, the mantle shifted.
Right now, Joe Biden is the oldest living president of the US.
It’s a bit of a surreal milestone if you think about the timing. Biden left the White House in January 2025 at the age of 82, and today, in early 2026, he’s 83. He isn't just the oldest former president currently walking around; he actually holds the record for being the oldest person to ever sit in the Oval Office.
People get caught up in the politics, but the pure biology of the American presidency lately is kind of wild. We are living through an era of "Super-Agers" in the executive branch.
The Current Rankings: Who’s Left?
If you're looking at the roster of living presidents today, it’s a list of five. Biden leads the pack in age, but the others aren't exactly teenagers.
The current lineup looks like this:
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- Joe Biden: Born November 20, 1942. He’s 83.
- Donald Trump: Born June 14, 1946. He’s 79.
- George W. Bush: Born July 6, 1946. He’s 79.
- Bill Clinton: Born August 19, 1946. He’s 79.
- Barack Obama: Born August 4, 1961. He’s 64.
Notice something weird? Three of those guys—Trump, Bush, and Clinton—were all born in the exact same year. 1946 was a busy year for future world leaders, apparently. It’s also why the title of "oldest living" could fluctuate significantly in the coming years. Biden has a decent "lead" on the 1946 trio, but in the world of octogenarians, everything is day-to-day.
Why Jimmy Carter’s Legacy Still Looms Large
You can't talk about the oldest living president of the US without mentioning the man who defined the term for decades. Jimmy Carter didn't just live a long time; he lived purposefully for a long time.
He stayed in hospice care for nearly two years. Think about that. Most people are in hospice for a few weeks or months. Carter was there from February 2023 until December 2024. He literally willed himself to reach 100.
His post-presidency lasted over 43 years. That is a staggering amount of time to be an "ex-president." Most guys go play golf or start a library and fade into the background. Carter was out there well into his 90s, swinging hammers for Habitat for Humanity and trying to wipe out Guinea worm disease in Africa. He set a bar for "elder statesman" that Joe Biden is now stepping into.
The Health Factor and Public Scrutiny
There is a lot of talk—mostly loud and messy—about age in politics.
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When Biden was in office, the "oldest living" tag was used as a political weapon. Now that he's a private citizen again, the conversation has shifted slightly toward his health as a retiree. In early 2025, reports surfaced about a small nodule found on his prostate during a routine checkup. It’s the kind of thing that happens when you're 82 or 83.
But it highlights the reality of this specific "club." These men have access to the best healthcare on the planet, which is partly why we see them living so much longer than the presidents of the 1800s. Back then, if you caught a bad cold or had a minor infection, you were basically done.
Today? They have a medical team that follows them around. Even so, the stress of the job is famously brutal. It’s often said that four years in the White House ages you ten. If that's true, Biden, Trump, and the rest are technically much "older" than their birth certificates say.
What Most People Get Wrong About Presidential Longevity
People often think being the oldest is just about luck. It’s not.
Look at Gerald Ford or Ronald Reagan. Both lived into their 90s. George H.W. Bush made it to 94. There’s a pattern of longevity here that suggests the discipline required to reach the presidency might also help you survive it. These aren't people who sit still.
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Except maybe for the occasional golf game, the living former presidents stay incredibly active. Bill Clinton still does the global initiative circuit. George W. Bush took up oil painting and stays busy with his institute. Obama is everywhere.
Biden, for his part, has stayed relatively low-profile since the 2025 inauguration of Donald Trump, focusing more on family and his own health. After fifty years in the public eye, nobody can really blame him for wanting a bit of quiet.
Actionable Insights for History Buffs and Voters
If you're following the "Age of Presidents" saga, here is what you should actually keep an eye on:
- Watch the 2028 Horizon: Donald Trump is currently on track to become the oldest serving president in history, potentially surpassing Biden’s record before his second term ends.
- The "Post-Presidency" Metric: Don't just look at age; look at what they do with the time. Carter proved that the most impactful years can happen after the White House.
- The 1946 Cohort: Keep an eye on Clinton, Bush, and Trump. Having three former presidents the exact same age is a statistical anomaly that won't happen again for a long time.
Being the oldest living president of the US is a title of endurance. It's about surviving the most stressful job on earth and coming out the other side. Right now, Joe Biden is the one holding that torch, carrying the weight of the "Presidents Club" into a new era. Whether he reaches the triple-digit milestone like Carter remains to be seen, but he has already claimed his place in the record books.