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History has a funny way of shifting just when you think the records are set in stone. For years, the answer to the question of who is the oldest living United States president was as steady as a heartbeat in Plains, Georgia. Jimmy Carter didn't just break the record; he basically demolished it, living to see 100 candles on his cake. But time, as it always does, eventually turned the page.
On December 29, 2024, Jimmy Carter passed away at the age of 100. That moment changed the "Presidents Club" forever.
Honestly, it's a weird transition. For a long time, Carter was the elder statesman who seemed like he’d be here forever, building houses and teaching Sunday school. Now, the title has officially moved to Joe Biden. Having left the Oval Office just a year ago, Biden currently stands as the oldest living person to have held the highest office in the land. He’s 83, and he’s followed closely by a pack of "70-somethings" who were all born in the same incredible summer of 1946.
The Current Leaderboard of the Presidents Club
When we look at the oldest living United States president today, we aren't just looking at one man. We’re looking at a group of five individuals who have steered the country through vastly different eras.
Joe Biden, born November 20, 1942, is the oldest.
Then things get crowded.
Donald Trump, George W. Bush, and Bill Clinton were all born in 1946. It’s wild to think about. Three presidents, all born within a few months of each other, representing three very different visions of America. Trump is the eldest of that trio, born in June, followed by Bush in July and Clinton in August.
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Barack Obama remains the "baby" of the group. Born in 1961, he’s still in his early 60s, making him the youngest living former president by a significant margin.
Why Joe Biden is the Oldest Living United States President
Biden didn't just become the oldest living president because Carter passed away. He also holds the record for being the oldest person ever inaugurated—at 78 back in 2021—and the oldest to ever serve in the office.
By the time he finished his term on January 20, 2025, he was 82 years and 2 months old.
Some people get hung up on the numbers. They wonder if age matters more than experience, or if the "Presidents Club" is becoming a gerontocracy. But the reality is that modern medicine and the intense, high-level care afforded to former presidents have fundamentally changed the "shelf life" of our leaders.
In the past, presidents didn't always enjoy a long retirement. Look at James K. Polk. He died just 103 days after leaving office. That’s barely enough time to unpack the boxes. Contrast that with the 44-year retirement Jimmy Carter enjoyed, and you see why the ages of our living presidents are climbing higher and higher.
The 1946 Triplets
The fact that Trump, Bush, and Clinton are all 79 or turning 80 this year is a statistical anomaly that historians love to talk about.
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- Donald Trump: Born June 14, 1946.
- George W. Bush: Born July 6, 1946.
- Bill Clinton: Born August 19, 1946.
Basically, if you were a baby born in the summer of '46, you had a weirdly good chance of becoming Commander in Chief.
What People Get Wrong About Presidential Longevity
There's this myth that the stress of the presidency takes years off your life. You've seen the "before and after" photos. The hair goes gray, the wrinkles deepen, and they look like they've aged twenty years in eight.
But the data actually says otherwise.
A study by Dr. S. Jay Olshansky at the University of Illinois at Chicago suggested that most U.S. presidents actually outlive their peers. Why? Well, it’s not exactly a mystery. They have access to the best healthcare in the world, they are generally highly educated, and they usually have a significant "will to live" that keeps them engaged in public life long after they leave the White House.
Being the oldest living United States president isn't just about a number on a birth certificate. It's about the era of history that person carries with them. Joe Biden remembers a world before the internet, before the Cold War ended, and even before the Civil Rights Movement reached its peak. That perspective is what makes the "elder" of the group so unique.
The Legacy of the 100-Year President
We can't talk about the oldest living United States president without tipping the hat to Jimmy Carter one last time. He redefined what a post-presidency looks like. He spent nearly two years in hospice care, a feat that baffled doctors and experts alike.
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His grandson, Jason Carter, often remarked that his grandfather was "physically diminished" but still "eating peanut butter ice cream" and watching the news. Carter's stay in hospice wasn't just about waiting for the end; it was about living. He proved that even at 100, a person can still influence the national conversation just by being there.
Who Breaks the Record Next?
Records are made to be broken, right?
Donald Trump is currently serving his second term. If he completes this term, he will be 82 years old in 2029. Depending on his health and the longevity of Joe Biden, the title of oldest living United States president could shift again in the next decade.
It’s a bit of a morbid "waiting game," but it’s also a testament to the resilience of these individuals. To survive the pressure of the Oval Office and still make it into your 80s or 90s takes a specific kind of grit.
What to Watch for in Presidential Longevity
If you're tracking the history of our leaders, keep an eye on these specific milestones over the next few years:
- The 80-Club: Watch as the "Class of 1946" (Trump, Bush, Clinton) all hit the age of 80. This will be the first time in American history we have had this many presidents in their 80s simultaneously.
- Post-Presidency Impact: Notice how Joe Biden uses his time out of office. Most modern "oldest" presidents, like Gerald Ford and Ronald Reagan, eventually retreated from public life due to health, but Biden’s predecessor, Carter, set a new bar for staying active.
- Health Transparency: Expect more updates from the Carter Center and the libraries of the living presidents as they navigate the challenges of aging in the public eye.
Understanding the lifespan of our presidents gives us a better window into the history of the country itself. We aren't just looking at old men; we’re looking at living libraries of the American experience.
Actionable Insight: To stay truly informed on the status of our former leaders, follow the official updates from the Office of the Former President for each individual or the National Archives, which manages presidential libraries. These are the only sources that provide verified, non-speculative information on the health and activities of the "Presidents Club."