Donald Trump, at 78, is now the oldest living former US president after the death of Jimmy Carter at 100. Trump, 22 days older than George H.W. Bush, won the 2024 election and is set to return to office on January 20, 2025, when President Joe Biden steps down.
Inauguration and Record-Breaking Milestone
Trump will be six months away from his 79th birthday on inauguration day. As Biden, who is 82, prepares to leave office, he will become the oldest former president. Trump is also set to break the record for the oldest US president when his second term ends on August 15, 2028.
Other Oldest Living Presidents
After Biden and Trump, the next oldest living presidents are George H.W. Bush and Bill Clinton, both 78, and Barack Obama, who is 63.
Jimmy Carter’s Legacy
Jimmy Carter, the longest-living US president, made history by being the first to reach 100. He served as the 39th president from 1977 to 1981. Carter passed away after surviving his wife, Rosalynn, for just over a year. Rosalynn passed away in November 2023 at 96. Carter leaves behind four children—Jack, Chip, Jeff, and Amy—and 11 grandchildren and 14 great-grandchildren.
Remembering Carter: A Hero to Many
Chip Carter, his son, honored him as a “hero, not only to me but to everyone who believes in peace, human rights, and unselfish love.”
Funeral Plans and Federal Observances
The Carter Center has announced public observances in Atlanta and Washington, D.C., followed by a private interment in Plains, Georgia. Final funeral arrangements, including public events and motorcade routes, are still pending. According to federal law, flags at all federal buildings, grounds, and naval vessels will be lowered to half-staff for 30 days after the death of a president.