Presidents of the White House’s Past

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George W. Bush and George H. W. Bush

Barack Obama has less than three months before he becomes a president of the past, but what will he do after leaving 1600 Pennsylvania Ave?

By looking at his living predecessors, one can get a sense of possibilities for the 44th president’s retirement. From Jimmy Carter fighting for human rights, to George W. Bush painting the portraits of those injured on behalf of the United States during his time in office, all the presidents have spent their time in starkly different ways.

Jimmy Carter, the 39th President of the United States, served from 1977 to 1981. He has dedicated much of his time since leaving office to the Carter Center, a human rights and suffering group. The Carter Center has observed 101 elections in 39 countries since 1989.

The Carter Center has also given over 500 million doses of medicine since 1996, and strives to eradicate Guinea worm, poliomyelitis, mumps, rubella, lymphatic filariasis, cysticercosis, measles and yaws. The Carter Center has improved lives in more than 80 countries since it was founded in 1982. Its mission goal is to “prevent and resolve conflicts, enhance freedom and democracy, and improve health.”

George H. W. Bush, the 41st President of the United States, served from 1989-1993, and retired to Texas after his presidency. He was knighted by Queen Elizabeth II in 1993. The only presidents to receive this before him were Dwight D. Eisenhower and Ronald Reagan. From 2007-2009 he was the chairman of the Eisenhower Fellowship, an organization designed to empower and connect leaders through fellowship. He has famously skydived numerous times, including on his 90th birthday. H. W. Bush is the oldest living president and has suffered from Parkinson’s Disease since 2012.

Bill Clinton, the 42nd President of the United States, served from 1993-2001. He has since continued to be active in the Democratic Party. Clinton has spoken at Democratic National Conventions, and also campaigned vigorously for Hillary Clinton, his wife. Bill Clinton founded the Clinton Foundation in 1997, and has since helped it improve the lives of more than 435 million people in more than 180 countries.

Clinton was succeeded by George W. Bush, who served from 2001-2009. Bush’s tenure in the Oval Office was controversial, but since departing he has stayed out of the spotlight. George W. Bush now spends most of his time painting. Other than his art, W. Bush also published a biography of his father in 2014.

When Barack Obama leaves office, he plans to stay in Washington for a few years so his daughter, Sasha Obama, can finish high school. Where he goes after that is still up in the air. He might write another book, as he has in the past, or maybe follow the path of Bill Clinton and start giving speeches. It is almost certain, however, that the known golfer will spend a lot more time on the course once he leaves the white house.