Jimmy Carter’s State Funeral Draws Largest Gathering of U.S. Presidents Since 2018

WASHINGTON — Past and present U.S. presidents gathered in Washington, D.C., on Thursday, Jan. 9, 2025, to honor former President Jimmy Carter at his state funeral. Carter, the 39th president, passed away on Dec. 29, 2024, at the age of 100, leaving behind a legacy of human rights advocacy and diplomacy during his presidency from 1977 to 1981.

The funeral marked the largest gathering of the “presidents club” since the 2018 funeral of George H.W. Bush. All living former presidents, including Barack Obama, Bill Clinton, George W. Bush, and Donald Trump, attended the service alongside current President Joe Biden. This was the first time in over six years that all living U.S. presidents were in the same place at the same time.

Carter’s funeral highlighted the rare unity among the nation’s leaders, a stark contrast to recent years. The 2021 and 2017 presidential inaugurations were missing members of the presidents club due to health concerns and political tensions. Notably, the Carters did not attend Biden’s 2021 inauguration due to health risks amid the COVID-19 pandemic, and George H.W. Bush missed Trump’s 2017 inauguration due to his advanced age.

With Carter’s passing, President Biden, now 82, holds the distinction of being the oldest living and serving U.S. president. However, this record may soon be surpassed by President-elect Donald Trump, who will become the oldest person ever sworn into office at age 78 on Jan. 20, 2025. Trump is set to break Biden’s previous record of being the oldest president at the end of his second term in 2028.

The remaining living presidents include George W. Bush and Bill Clinton, both 78, and Barack Obama, 63. The funeral served as a poignant reminder of the passing of an era, as Carter was the last of the six living presidents who once shared the title. Over the past 30 years, five presidents have been laid to rest, including Richard Nixon (1994), Gerald Ford (2006), Ronald Reagan (2004), George H.W. Bush (2018), and now Jimmy Carter.

Carter’s state funeral was a testament to his enduring impact on American politics and global humanitarian efforts. His presidency, though marked by challenges, was defined by his commitment to peace and justice, leaving a legacy that continues to inspire.