All Five Living U.S. Presidents Have a Rare Reunion at Jimmy Carter's Funeral

Emily Burack
·2-min read
All Five Living U.S. Presidents Have a Rare Reunion at Jimmy Carter's Funeral

At Jimmy Carter's state funeral at Washington National Cathedral today, all five living U.S. presidents—current and former—were in attendance: Bill Clinton, George W. Bush, Barack Obama, Donald Trump, and Joe Biden.

us politics carter
The Clintons, the Bushes, Barack Obama, and the Trumps, seated in the second row. ROBERTO SCHMIDT - Getty Images

Clinton, Bush, Obama, and Trump were seated in the second row of the Cathedral, and before the service started, Obama and Trump were pictured speaking. President Joe Biden and First Lady Jill Biden were the last to arrive, and sat next to Vice President Kamala Harris and Second Gentleman Doug Emhoff in the first row.

us politics carter
The Bidens arrived at the funeral holding hands. ROBERTO SCHMIDT - Getty Images

All former and current presidents have not been in the same place since the state funeral of George H.W. Bush in December 2018. There's a chance they will reunite again in just ten days, at the inauguration of President Donald Trump.

state funeral held for george hw bush at the washington national cathedral
Former presidents, vice presidents, first ladies and then President Donald Trump attend the state funeral for former President George H.W. Bush, December 5, 2018. Chip Somodevilla - Getty Images

At former First Lady Rosalynn Carter's funeral in 2023, only President Biden and former President Clinton attended, but all five former and current first ladies were there: Jill Biden, Michelle Obama, Hillary Clinton, Melania Trump, and Laura Bush. Just four were in attendance at Carter's funeral today; Michelle Obama did not attend Carter's funeral.

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Following Carter's passing, President Biden and all four former presidents penned tributes to the late centenarian. Biden is set to deliver a eulogy at the service today.

"Over six decades, we had the honor of calling Jimmy Carter a dear friend. But, what’s extraordinary about Jimmy Carter, though, is that millions of people throughout America and the world who never met him thought of him as a dear friend as well," the Bidens wrote. "With his compassion and moral clarity, he worked to eradicate disease, forge peace, advance civil rights and human rights, promote free and fair elections, house the homeless, and always advocate for the least among us. He saved, lifted, and changed the lives of people all across the globe."

They added, "to all of the young people in this nation and for anyone in search of what it means to live a life of purpose and meaning – the good life – study Jimmy Carter, a man of principle, faith, and humility. He showed that we are great nation because we are a good people – decent and honorable, courageous and compassionate, humble and strong."

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