6 Oldest Living Presidents in the United States (Updated 2024)

The President of the United States is widely considered one of the most powerful people in the world, but as the saying goes, “With power comes great responsibility.” While being president might seem like the ideal job, the office comes with extremes highs and lows. Every single one of the remaining living presidents on this lists has faced extreme scrutiny from not only everyone in America, but the world. Some of these presidents have had better presidencies than others, but all of them have done things that have been seen as controversial.

As of August 2023, the information on this list is as accurate as possible and will be updated as needed. In addition to current President Joe Biden, there are five living former presidents.

6. Barack Obama (August 4, 1961 – Present)

photo source: Wikimedia Commons

Barack Obama served as the 44^th President of the United States from 2009 to 2017. Of the remaining living presidents, Obama is the youngest at 59 years of age. President Obama is one of the most celebrated presidents in recent history and most notably is the first African American to achieve the highest level of office in the United States.

Before becoming president, Obama was a lawyer and he met his wife (then Michelle Robinson), who was also a lawyer, when he joined the Chicago law firm of Sidley Austin as a summer associate. After spending a few years as a civil rights lawyer, Obama entered politics in the state of Illinois. Obama was a member of the Illinois Senate and later became the state’s Senator before winning the presidential election in 2008.

Did You Know?

Barack Obama is named after his father, Barack Hussein Obama, who is from Kenya and part of the Luo ethnic group of western Kenya.

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5. Bill Clinton (August 19, 1946 – Present)

photo source: Wikimedia Commons

Bill Clinton, who was born as William Jefferson Blythe III, was the 42^nd President of the United States and is also 74 years old like presidents Donald Trump and George W. Bush. While President Clinton achieved many notable accomplishments, his presidency is unfortunately widely remembered for his personal indiscretions with Monica Lewinsky, who was a White House intern at the time.

Personal controversies aside, during Clinton’s presidency the U.S. had the lowest unemployment rate in modern times, the lowest inflation in 30 years, the highest home ownership in the country’s history, dropping crime rates in many places, and reduced welfare rolls. President Clinton is married to another famous politician, Hillary Rodham Clinton, who ran for president in 2016, but lost to Donald Trump.

Did You Know?

Bill Clinton adopted the last name of his stepfather, Roger Clinton, after he legally adopted him when he was a teenager — Bill Clinton’s widowed mother married his stepfather when he was four years old.

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4. George W. Bush (July 6, 1946 – Present)

photo source: Wikimedia Commons

George W. Bush was the 43^rd President of the United States and is the son of recently departed, George H.W. Bush, who was the 41st President of the United States. President George W. Bush spent his presidency as a wartime president, following the terrorist attacks of September 11, 2001. Under Bush, a a new cabinet-level Department of Homeland Security was created and the American military sent troops to Afghanistan. Bush’s presidency was politically divisive and he left office with low approval ratings.

Bush was born while his father was still attending Yale University and followed in his footsteps and also graduated from Yale. Following Yale, Bush earned a business degree from Harvard and then went into the oil business, again following the same path as his father.

Did You Know?

President Bush was previously an investor in the Texas Rangers baseball team, but sold his stake in 1998 for $15 million.

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3. Donald Trump (June 14, 1946 – Present)

photo source: Wikimedia Commons

Former president Donald Trump, is the third oldest living American president and is currently 74 years old. Trump’s victory in the race to become the 45^th President of the United States was a surprise and his presidency was mired by several controversies since the day he was inaugurated.

The last few months of Trump’s presidency were marked by the refusal to concede that he lost the 2020 election to current President Joe Biden. Trump continued his antics to the end and became one of the only  presidents to not attend the inauguration of his successor.

Before Trump became president, he was a business man, serial entrepreneur, and a reality television personality. Even as president, Trump continues to operate several businesses, including a chain of hotels, around the world. Trump is currently married to his third wife, Melania, and has one son with her as well as four adult children.

Did You Know?

Trump is the only American president in history with no political or military experience.

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2. Joe Biden (November 20, 1942 – Present)

photo source: Wikimedia Commons

Joe Biden, born Joseph Robinette Biden Jr., is currently the second oldest living president, but the oldest person to ever serve as president, at the age of 79. Although Biden’s bid for the 2020 Presidential election came as a surprise, he is a familiar face in American politics as he served as the 47^th Vice President under Barack Obama’s two terms. In addition to Vice President, Biden is a former Senator, New Castle County Council Member, and lawyer.

In 1987, Biden had made his first attempt to run for the presidency, however, he withdrew from the race after a few months due to the controversy surrounding the false and exaggerated claims he made about his life. Despite more controversies around his second bid for the presidency, Biden won against incumbent President Donald Trump, who is widely considered one of the most divisive and controversial figures ever in American politics.

Did You Know?

While Joe Biden is the oldest sitting President, he was the sixth youngest person elected as a senator at the age of 29 in 1972 (he turned 30 at the end of the year, which is the minimum age to become a senator).

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1. Jimmy Carter (October 1, 1924 – Present)

photo source: Wikimedia Commons

James Earl Cater Jr, better known as President Jimmy Carter, is currently the oldest living President in the United States at the age of 97. President Carter served as the 39^th president of the United States from January 20, 1977 – January 20, 1981. Prior to becoming president, Carter was a Georgia state senator from 1963 to 1967 as well as governor of Georgia from 1971 to 1975.

Although President Carter only served for one term, he is known for his competence and compassion. During his presidency, Cater helped create nearly 8 million jobs and decreased the budget deficit. After he left office, President Carter and his wife Rosalynn have focused on humanitarian work, especially with Habit for Humanity.

Did You Know?

While in office, President Carter boycotted the 1980 Olympics in Moscow after Soviet forces refused to pull their troops out of Afghanistan. This was the first time in history that the United States did not appear at the Olympics and about 50 other countries followed President Carter’s lead.