John Quincy Adams once conveyed the idea that life for former presidents can be quite disheartening.
Though this perspective might seem a bit harsh, the challenge of determining one’s path after holding the highest office in the nation is evident.
Nevertheless, ex-presidents do not begin anew completely — the Former Presidents Act, established in 1958, provides them with a pension, personal staff and workspace, healthcare coverage, and Secret Service protection for a decade.
These are merely a handful of the privileges that former US presidents retain upon departing from their official roles.
In light of this, numerous US presidents have transitioned into remarkable endeavors following their time in office.
For instance, were you aware that Barack Obama has ventured into the realm of film production? Or that George Washington was the proprietor of one of Virginia’s most prosperous whiskey distilleries? Continue reading to uncover the post-presidential pursuits of other commanders-in-chief.
And if you’re intrigued by more intriguing details, don’t overlook these astounding facts concerning US presidents.
Barack Obama — Film Producer
Barack Obama, post his departure from the White House in 2017, has engaged in various pursuits, including global travel and the authorship of his memoir “A Promised Land,” released in November 2020.
Alongside these endeavors, he took an unexpected step by entering into a partnership with Netflix.
Together with Michelle Obama, he unveiled a multiyear agreement with the entertainment giant to develop content through their own entity, Higher Ground Productions.
Netflix, in an official statement, outlined that the projects would encompass a diverse array of scripted and unscripted series, documentaries, as well as full-length feature films.
The rights to “American Factory,” a documentary about post-industrial Ohio, and “Bloom,” a drama series exploring the world of fashion in post-World War II New York City, have already been acquired by Higher Ground Productions.
This shows how everyone’s starting points might differ from predictions and presumptions.
George W. Bush — Painter
Following the culmination of his two presidential terms, George W. Bush opted to embrace his artistic inclinations and embark on a journey as a painter.
The year 2012 marked the commencement of his artistry education under the guidance of Dallas-based artist Gail Norfleet.
In 2013, his newfound passion became public knowledge following an incident involving an email hack that was somewhat embarrassing.
Nonetheless, the former president remained undeterred by the initial critiques he received. Demonstrating resilience, in 2017, he unveiled “Portraits of Courage,” a book showcasing his paintings featuring members of the US military.
Building on this artistic momentum, he is set to release “Out of Many, One” in March 2021, a collection primarily focused on portraits of US immigrants.
Another thing is that a portion of the proceeds from the book’s sales will be directed towards supporting organizations engaged in assisting immigrants with their resettlement in the United States.
Bill Clinton — Recording Artist
Were you aware that post his presidential tenure, Bill Clinton secured two Grammy Awards? The 42nd president, renowned for his remarkable saxophone skills, earned his Grammys in an unexpected domain: spoken-word albums.
In 2004, Clinton claimed his inaugural Grammy for narrating the children’s book “Wolf Tracks.” Subsequently, in 2005, he clinched another Grammy for narrating his autobiography, “My Life.”
While Clinton holds the distinction of being the first president to receive a Grammy, he’s not alone in this accolade.
Following suit, Barack Obama was awarded the honor in 2006 and 2008, while Jimmy Carter received it in 2007.
George Washington — Whiskey Distiller
In 1797, the inaugural leader of our nation, having relinquished his role as commander-in-chief, embarked on a new venture.
During the same year, at his residence in Mount Vernon, he was persuaded by his estate manager to establish a distillery for the production of whiskey.
By 1799, George Washington’s distillery had become one of the most prominent in the land. According to records from the Mount Vernon Museum, the output for that year reached nearly 11,000 gallons of whiskey, a stark contrast to the average Virginia distillery’s modest yield of only 650 gallons.
The unbranded whiskey was packaged in wooden barrels and distributed to local traders, a strategy that proved immensely successful.
The volume of sales was so substantial that the distillery emerged as one of the most prosperous and profitable ventures at the Mount Vernon estate.
Calvin Coolidge — Newspaper Columnist
Calvin Coolidge, the 30th President of the United States, departed from the conventional post-presidential practice of penning memoirs and autobiographies.
Instead, he engaged in newspaper column authorship. During the span of 1930 to 1931, Coolidge authored a column titled “Reflecting with Calvin Coolidge,” which achieved nationwide circulation through the McClure Newspaper syndicate. Furthermore, he had previously released his autobiography in 1929.
Conclusion
The pursuits of former US presidents after leaving office reveal diverse human potential and opportunities arising from their unique positions.
Barack Obama’s Netflix film production, George W. Bush’s painting journey, Bill Clinton’s Grammy-winning albums, and George Washington’s whiskey distillery highlight their varied post-presidential endeavors.
These paths showcase that life after presidency isn’t static. Individual interests shape post-office pursuits, emphasizing that the journey continues beyond the Oval Office.
Exploring these narratives offers insights into their passions, resilience, and contributions beyond their time in power.
