It is a weird quirk of American life that we track the health of former presidents like we’re monitoring the weather. We want to know who is still with us, who is painting in a garage in Texas, and who is currently defying a congressional subpoena. If you’re asking how many ex presidents are still alive right now in early 2026, the answer is five.
Actually, wait. Let’s be precise.
There are five former presidents living their post-White House lives. But if you count the guy currently sitting behind the Resolute Desk—Donald Trump, who is both the 45th and 47th president—there are six men alive who have taken the oath. It’s a small, exclusive club. Probably the most exclusive club on Earth.
The Current 2026 Roster of Former Presidents
Honestly, the list changed recently enough that it still feels a bit heavy. For a long time, Jimmy Carter was the North Star of the group, defying every medical expectation known to man. But since his passing in late 2024, the "former" group has shrunk to a core five.
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- Joe Biden (46th President): He’s the newest member of the club. After leaving office in January 2025, Biden has mostly retreated to Delaware. He’s been quiet, though his name keeps popping up in the news regarding those sweeping pardons he issued on his way out the door.
- Barack Obama (44th President): Probably the most active "retired" person you'll ever see. He’s currently hitting the campaign trail for the 2026 midterm gubernatorial races and getting ready for the grand opening of his Presidential Center in Chicago later this year.
- George W. Bush (43rd President): He’s basically become the elder statesman of the GOP who doesn't talk about the current GOP. You’ll usually find him at his ranch or the Bush Institute, focusing on global health initiatives like PEPFAR.
- Bill Clinton (42nd President): Clinton is making headlines right now, but maybe not the kind he wants. As of mid-January 2026, he’s in a bit of a standoff with the House Oversight Committee over subpoenas related to the Jeffrey Epstein investigation.
- Jimmy Carter (39th President): While he passed away in 2024, his legacy is so massive it’s hard not to mention him. He set the record for the longest-lived president in history, reaching 100 years.
Why the Number Matters for 2026 Politics
You might think these guys just sit around collecting a pension and Secret Service protection. Kinda. But in 2026, the living former presidents are actually deeply enmeshed in the current political friction.
Take Bill Clinton. Just this week, Chairman James Comer and the House Oversight Committee moved to initiate contempt of Congress proceedings against him. He didn’t show up for a scheduled deposition on January 13. It’s a wild scene—a former president being threatened with contempt while another former president (Trump) is back in power.
Then there’s Obama. He isn’t just playing golf. He’s the Democratic Party’s "break glass in case of emergency" asset. With the 2026 midterms looming, he’s been spotted in battleground states trying to energize a base that feels a bit battered after the 2024 election cycle.
The "Living Presidents" Trivia That Always Trips People Up
People always forget that the count depends on the day.
For instance, during the early 2000s, we had a crowded house with Gerald Ford and Ronald Reagan still around. Right now, the age gap in the club is narrowing. Most of the living former presidents were born in the same era. Bill Clinton, George W. Bush, and Donald Trump were all born in 1946. That’s a lot of "Baby Boomer" energy for one history book.
Joe Biden is the outlier here, born in 1942, making him the oldest person to ever hold the office—a fact that dominated the 2024 news cycle until he stepped aside.
What are they doing right now?
If you wanted to find them today, here is the most likely "2026 status report":
- Biden: Spending time in Rehoboth Beach, likely working on a memoir that will surely settle some scores regarding 2024.
- Trump: Busy in the Oval Office. He’s currently pushing tariffs on computing chips and pausing visas for high-risk countries. He’s the only one not "retired."
- Obama: Splitting time between D.C. and Martha’s Vineyard, but mostly focused on his 2026 "Power of Words" digital exhibit.
- Bush: Painting and working on his global health updates. He just released a report on January 15 regarding HIV/AIDS progress.
- Clinton: Dealing with legal counsel. The contempt vote is a real cloud over his early 2026.
How to Stay Updated on Presidential History
If you're a history buff or just someone who likes to win bar trivia, keeping tabs on this group is getting easier. The National Archives and the various Presidential Libraries (like the Bush Center in Dallas or the Obama Foundation) post regular updates.
The health and status of these men aren't just tabloid fodder; they represent different eras of American policy that are still clashing today. When we talk about how many ex presidents are still alive, we’re really talking about how much of our recent history is still walking around and talking back to the current administration.
Actionable Steps for the Curious:
- Visit a Library: If you’re in Chicago, keep an eye on the Obama Presidential Center’s opening dates for late 2026.
- Check the Records: Use the National Archives to see when new documents from the Biden or Trump (first term) eras are being declassified.
- Follow the Subpoenas: Watch the House Oversight Committee’s public gallery if you want to see how the Bill Clinton contempt proceedings shake out next week.
The roster of living presidents is a fragile thing. It changes with a heartbeat, but for now, the "Famous Five" former leaders remain a staple of the American landscape.
Next Steps for You:
You can research the specific locations of each Presidential Library to plan a visit, or deep-dive into the official White House archives to compare the first-year policies of the living presidents.