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Life after the Oval Office: What your favorite presidents did after leaving White House

An insight into the occupations of the American presidents after the end of their presidency
PUBLISHED DEC 2, 2023
Former presidents of the US - Ronald Reagan, George Bush and Donald Trump (Getty Images)
Former presidents of the US - Ronald Reagan, George Bush and Donald Trump (Getty Images)

What former Presidents did after leaving Oval Office, from Richard Nixon to Donald Trump

Occupation of the former Presidents (Getty Images)
Exploring the lives of the former Presidents including Barack Obama and Bill Clinton after the Oval Office (Getty Images)

What happens after presidents leave the most powerful office in the world has always been a source of intense fascination. Let's take a look at the careers that the former US presidents pursued after leaving the White House.

Richard Nixon

1960:  Republican presidential candidate Vice-President Richard Nixon (1913 -1994) posing in front o
Richard Nixon resigned as the President of the United States in 1974 (Getty Images)

After resigning from the presidency in 1974, Richard Nixon became a writer and public speaker. He made more than $2 million by selling his memoir. Nixon built a considerable fortune from his stints as a writer and public speaker which helped him to pay the fees of his lawyer for the Watergate Scandal, per PEOPLE. Presidential historian Jeffrey Engel noted, "Nixon spent the rest of his life trying to rehabilitate his reputation but in a very savvy, Nixon-like way."

Gerald Ford

15 SEPT 1994:  PRESIDENT GERALD R. FORD, HONORARY CHAIRMAN, ADDRESSES THE CROWD DURING THE OPENING C
Gerald Ford turned to public speaking after his presidential term (Getty Images)

After completing his presidential term in 1977, Gerald Ford went on to become a public speaker and board of presidents of several organizations, per Wall Street Journal. In 1999, Ford was awarded the Presidential Medal of Freedom by Bill Clinton for his contribution to steering the country through the controversial Watergate scandal.

Jimmy Carter

U.S. president Jimmy Carter smiling at a podium in front of an American flag, 1970s. (Photo by Hulto
Jimmy Carter always wanted to be a Christian missionary (Getty Images)

After leaving the White House in 1980, the oldest living president at 99, Jimmy Carter "became the Christian missionary he’s already wanted to be," per Engel. As a humanitarian, Carter worked for charitable causes including Habitat for Humanity, teaching Sunday schools, and opening the Carter Center. He was also awarded the Nobel Peace Prize in 2002 for his contributions to humanitarian causes.

Ronald Reagan

UNDATED: (FILE PHOTO) Former U.S. President Ronald Reagan speaks at a rally for Senator Durenberger
Ronald Reagan started his Presidential Library in Simi Valley (Getty Images)

After completing his two presidential terms, Ronald Reagan moved back to Los Angeles and facilitated the opening of the Reagan Presidential Library in Simi Valley in 1991. In 1994, he revealed that he had been diagnosed with Alzheimer's disease and spent the rest of his life mostly out of public view before he died in 2004.

George HW Bush

FORT BRAGG, NC - MAY 13:  George H.W. Bush, 41st President of the United States, speaks at the Briga
George HW Bush served as a board member of several companies (Getty Images)

The 41st President of the United States had a varied post-presidential life after leaving office in 1993. He returned to his home in Houston, Texas, and became a board member of several local companies. He also volunteered at the local church and facilitated the opening of his presidential library at the Texas A&M University in College Station, Texas.

Bill Clinton

384498 01: US President Bill Clinton poses for photographers January 18, 2001 after delivering his f
Bill Clinton worked for the William Clinton Foundation after his presidential term (Getty Images)

After serving two terms and leaving the Oval Office in 2001, Bill Clinton stayed in public life through his involvement in the William Clinton Foundation. He also oversaw the opening of his presidential library in Little Rock, Arkansas.

George W Bush

400296 12: U.S. President George W. Bush gestures while delivering his State Of the Union address be
George W Bush chose to stay out of politics after two presidential terms (Getty Images)

After serving his two terms as the President, George W Bush left the Oval Office in 2009. After leaving the office, he mostly stayed out of politics and chose to become an amateur painter. He also presided over the founding of the George W Bush Presidential Center at Southern Methodist University.

Barack Obama

WASHINGTON, DC - SEPTEMBER 03: U.S. President Barack Obama waves to reporters after returning to the
Barack Obama turned to writing while living an idyllic post-presidential life (Getty Images)

As the youngest outgoing president, Barack Obama, after leaving office in 2017, Obama spent an idyllic retired life for the first few years. He has stayed largely out of American politics except for voicing his support to the current President Joe Biden during the 2020 election. He has also published the two-volume memoir 'A Promised Land' which has become an instant hit and has often delivered public speeches.

Donald Trump

Donald Trump's unusual fear (Getty Images)
Donald Trump is running for President in the 2024 elections (Getty Images)

After serving one term as the President, the 77-year-old veteran politician Donald Trump is gearing up for reelection in the 2024 presidential election. 

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