U.S. Presidents Before and After Major Historical Events

Updated September 2, 2020 404.1K views 11 items

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This list of US presidents before and after major historical events gives visual insight into the presidential aging process. The ways in which big decisions, political scandals, and international warfare take a toll on a president becomes abundantly clear with the photographs below. See the ways in which World War II affected the Commander in Chief or the drastic difference between a pre-Iran-Contra Ronald Reagan and a post-Iran-Contra Ronald Reagan.

From FDR to LBJ, these presidential before and after photos are astounding. This job comes with gray hairs and wrinkles, as President Bill Clinton learned the hard way, given this appearance once impeachment was on the table. Speaking of impeachment, Richard Nixon got even saggier after the Watergate scandal, just as George W. Bush became far crustier once he was knee deep in the Iraq War. Even President Barack Obama shows intense aging after Benghazi and HealthCare.gov.

Which historical events took the biggest toll on sitting US presidents? Upvote the photos below that show the most drastic difference between the appearance of these US political leaders early in their terms, and later on, after the realities of politics and government affairs wore them down.

1
Franklin D. Roosevelt
Photo:
Wikimedia Commons
Wikimedia Commons
FDR came to office under stressful times that would age any man, but Pearl Harbor rendered him a ghost of his former self. The launch of World War II took a toll on President Roosevelt, as his hair thinned and skin wrinkled from the stress.
2,298 votes
Does he look different?
2
Abraham Lincoln
Photo:
Wikimedia Commons
Wikimedia Commons
Facing arguably the most arduous task of any executive before or since, Lincoln's years maintaining the Union took a visible toll on him. His already gaunt appearance grew even gaunter throughout the Civil War, and his previously dark beard grew more silver and wispy.
2,483 votes
Does he look different?
3
George W. Bush
Photo:
Wikimedia Commons
Wikimedia Commons
Even after September 11th, George Bush looked like your average Baby Boomer. But after the absolute stress and total chaos of the Iraq War, you can see a far grayer and wrinklier President Bush.
2,023 votes
Does he look different?
4
Barack Obama
Photo:
Wikimedia Commons
Wikimedia Commons
On the left is a pre-Benghazi, pre-HealthCare.gov, pre-ISIS, pre-Newtown, pre-San Bernadino, pre-candidate Donald Trump president named Barack Obama (at his very first State of the Union address). On the right is noticeably grayer Obama at his last State of the Union in 2016.
2,137 votes
Does he look different?
5
Bill Clinton
Photo:
Wikimedia Commons
Wikimedia Commons
Bill Clinton's wrinkles decided to show up after a woman named Monica Lewinsky entered his life -- or perhaps a man named Kenneth Starr. President Clinton's impeachment trials were evidently quite stressful.
1,890 votes
Does he look different?
6
Jimmy Carter
Photo:
Wikimedia Commons
Wikimedia Commons
Jimmy Carter was changed by the Iran hostage crisis, as were international relations overall. For Carter, you can see it in his face.
1,701 votes
Does he look different?

Franklin D. Roosevelt

Abraham Lincoln

George W. Bush

Barack Obama

Bill Clinton

Jimmy Carter