See Every Time Former U.S. Presidents Have Gotten Together

Saying Goodbye to Jimmy Carter

President Bill Clinton, with wife and former Secretary of State, Hillary Clinton; George W. Bush with wife Laura Bush; Barack Obama; and Donald Trump with his wife Melania, joined President Joe Biden and First Lady Jill Biden at the state funeral for Jimmy Carter in Washington D.C. on Jan. 9. Vice President Kamala Harris and First Gentleman Doug Emhoff were also pictured paying their respects with the group.

Heads of State Together

Barack Obama was pictured sharing a moment of levity with president-elect Donald Trump ahead of Jimmy Carter's state funeral.

Paying Tribute

President Joe Biden and former presidents Barack Obama and Bill Clinton smiled together from their seats at a memorial service for Ethel Kennedy at the Cathedral of St. Matthew the Apostle in Washington, D.C. on Oct. 16, 2024.

Campaigning for Biden

Former presidents Barack Obama and Bill Clinton cheered for current commander-in-chief Joe Biden during a campaign fundraising event held at Radio City Music Hall in New York City on March 28, 2024.

Taking a Moment

Ronald Reagan with Richard Nixon, Gerald Ford and Jimmy Carter at the White House before departing to attend the funeral of Anwar Sadat in Cairo, Egypt.

A Presidential Quintet

The first time five U.S. presidents — George H.W. Bush, Ronald Reagan, Jimmy Carter, Gerald Ford and Richard Nixon — have gathered together to pose for a photo. This shot was taken in front of the Reagan Library in 1991 in Simi Valley, California.

Debating for Office

John F. Kennedy and Richard Nixon exchange smiles prior to their first televised presidential candidate TV debate.

Commanding the Photo

Eighteen years later, another group of five presidents — George H.W. Bush, Barack Obama, George W. Bush, Bill Clinton and Jimmy Carter — gathered together, this time in the Oval Office in Washington D.C. in 2009.

Doing Good Together

Jimmy Carter speaks alongside George H. W. Bush, George W. Bush, Bill Clinton and Barack Obama as they attend the Hurricane Relief concert in College Station, Texas, on Oct. 21, 2017, following Hurricane Maria.

Grand Opening

Barack Obama, George W. Bush, Bill Clinton, George H.W. Bush and Jimmy Carter attend the opening ceremony of the George W. Bush Presidential Center on April 25, 2013, in Dallas.

Talking Sports

Sportscaster Terry Bradshaw speaks with George H.W. Bush and Bill Clinton in the FOX Broadcast booth during the XXXIX Super Bowl pregame show at Alltel Stadium on February 6, 2005, in Jacksonville, Florida.

Presidential Greeting

John F. Kennedy greets Harry S. Truman outside of the White House on Jan. 21, 1961.

Accompanying a Hometown Hero

Bill Clinton waves from the stage accompanied by George W. Bush, Jimmy Carter and George H.W. Bush during the official opening ceremony of the Clinton Presidential Library on Nov. 18, 2004, in Little Rock, Arkansas.

All About Legacy

Bill Clinton and George W. Bush speak on stage at the HISTORYTalks Leadership & Legacy event on Feb. 29, 2020 in New York City.

The Presidents and Their Wives

Ronald and Nancy Reagan are seen chatting with Richard and Pat Nixon in this undated shot.

Sunny Days

Barack Obama, George W. Bush and Bill Clinton attend the trophy presentation ahead of the Presidents Cup at Liberty National Golf Club on Sept. 28, 2017, in Jersey City, New Jersey.

Milestone Celebration

Then-President Bill Clinton poses with George H.W. Bush, Gerald Ford, Jimmy Carter, Barbara Bush, Lady Bird Johnson, then-First Lady Hillary Rodham Clinton, Betty Ford and Rosalynn Carter. The photo was taken in the State Dining Room of the White House on Nov. 9, 2000, to celebrate the 200th anniversary of the White House.

Passing the Torch, Giving Advice

Bill Clinton breaks into laughter as Ronald Reagan presents him with a jar of red, white and blue jelly beans that, Reagan said, kept him from going to back to cigarettes. The two met in Los Angeles on Nov. 27, 1992, to discuss Clinton's transition into the White House.

Optical Illusions

In May 2021, the Bidens visited the Carters in Plains, Ga., and posed for this picture that made headlines for the seeming size differential between the two couples (likely the result of a photo taken with a wide-angle lens).

"It was great to see President Carter," President Biden, 78, said after the meeting. "He reminded me that I was the first person to endorse him outside of Georgia. And we sat and talked about the old days."

Hat Trick

Ronald Reagan, actor Bob Hope and Gerald Ford pose during the USO's 40th Anniversary dinner dance at the Washington Hilton hotel in 1981.

Having a Laugh

Barack Obama jokes with Bill Clinton before awarding him the Presidential Medal of Freedom in the East Room at the White House on Nov. 20, 2013, in Washington, D.C.

Taking It in Stride

Barack Obama, Bill Clinton and George W. Bush at the White House before speaking about joint relief efforts following the earthquake in Haiti in January 2010.

Sharing in History

Laura and George W. Bush and Michelle and Barack Obama enjoy the opening ceremony for the Smithsonian National Museum of African American History and Culture on Sept. 24, 2016, in Washington, D.C.

Showing Support

At a 2018 memorial service for former First Lady Barbara Bush, her daughter-in-law (and former First Lady) Laura Bush, son President George W. Bush, President Bill Clinton, Secretary Hillary Clinton, President Barack Obama and former First Lady Michelle Obama all stood together in a show of support for Barbara's husband, President George Bush.

Mourning One of Their Own

At the 2018 state funeral for George H.W. Bush, all four living presidents were seated in the front row, including Donald J. Trump (with wife Melania), Barack Obama (with wife Michelle), Bill Clinton (with wife Hillary) and Jimmy Carter (with wife Rosalynn).

Ushering In a New Era

Three of the five living past presidents — Barack Obama, George W. Bush and Bill Clinton — join their wives as new President and Vice President Joe Biden and Kamala Harris lay a wreath at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier at Virginia's Arlington National Cemetery following the 2021 inauguration.

Outgoing President Donald Trump chose to skip the 2021 inauguration festivities, and President Jimmy Carter and his wife Rosalynn stayed home given concerns around the COVID-19 pandemic.

Sending a Word

During an evening TV special timed to the 2021 Inauguration, the three men came together again for a pre-recorded segment that included advice for Biden, spoke of camaraderie among past presidents and emphasized the importance of a peaceful transfer of power.

"I think the fact that the three of us are standing here talking about a peaceful transfer of power speaks to the institutional integrity of our country," said Bush.

Obama continued: "We've got to not just listen to folks we agree with, but listen to folks we don't."

Big Birthday!

Bill and Hillary Clinton traveled to the Carters' home state of Georgia in July 2021 to help the couple celebrate their 75th wedding anniversary.

"Such a joy to celebrate these two special people, and their incredible bond, yesterday in Georgia," the former First Lady captioned a photo of the two couples posing together. "Happy 75th anniversary, Jimmy and Rosalynn!"

Partners in Change

At a 2022 ceremony to mark the 2010 passage of the Affordable Care Act, President Joe Biden shared a laugh with President Barack Obama, for whom he'd been the Vice President.