WASHINGTON — The reveal of George W. Bush’s artwork Friday got the Loop wondering how other U.S. presidents chose to spend their post-White House years. Sure, there are high-priced speaking engagements, memoir writing and presidential-library establishing, but what else?
Chester Arthur once said, “Well, there doesn’t seem to be anything else for an ex-president to do but go into the country and raise pumpkins.”
On the other hand, after leaving the White House, John Quincy Adams became a congressman (could you imagine an ex-president serving in Congress today?) and William Howard Taft became chief justice.
With assists from the University of Virginia’s Miller Center and from presidential historian Richard Norton Smith, here’s a quick look at modern life after the presidency:
George W. Bush has largely stayed out of politics, though he’s spoken out on immigration reform and aid for Africa. He’s mainly kept a low profile in Texas, where he has used his memories as artistic inspiration.
Bill Clinton, however, can’t seem to stay out of politics. He set up the Clinton Foundation, the Clinton Global Initiative and the Clinton Foundation Climate Change Initiative. After the 2004 Indian Ocean tsunami, he teamed with predecessor and old political foe George H.W. Bush to create a relief fund. And he campaigns for Democratic candidates.
Bush I retired to Texas and splits his time between there and Kennebunkport, Maine. Until he and Clinton teamed up, his community service was done mostly at home. He’s also kept up with a favorite death-defying hobby: skydiving.
Ronald Reagan’s age and his Alzheimer’s disease kept him from doing much. He spent a lot of his retirement at home in California, where he enjoyed horseback riding. He set up the Ronald Reagan Freedom Award, given to a civilian who promotes freedom around the world.
Jimmy Carter is credited with developing an activist role for a retired president. Carter stayed in the public eye working with Habitat for Humanity International and then establishing the Carter Center to advance human rights. He won a Nobel Peace Prize for his work.
Gerald Ford retired to California to hang out and play golf, but he kept the door open to returning to politics. He joined the American Enterprise Institute as a fellow and also taught.
Richard Nixon, having left office in disgrace, eventually began speaking and writing to promote normalizing relations with China and on other foreign policy matters.
Lyndon Johnson retired to his Texas ranch, where it’s said he became reclusive, literally letting his hair down (he grew it long). According to one story, he would drive around his ranch listening to “Raindrops Keep Fallin’ on My Head” by B.J. Thomas.
Dwight Eisenhower retired to a farm in Gettysburg, Pa., where he raised cattle and, like Bush II, painted.
Harry Truman retired to Independence, Mo., where he used his leisure time to read and drink bourbon with friends. He also apparently enjoyed walks around town. He called himself “Mr. Citizen.”