We can all sometimes think our jobs are demanding. It’s the reason we book regular vacations and relax at the weekend. But while our jobs may put the pressure on, they could never be compared to running one of the most prestigious offices in the world.
Serving as President of the United States, whether it be for one term or two, is a huge commitment which demands every ounce of your attention and energy – or, that of your staff for those times when you’d rather sit in bed with a McDonald’s takeaway than run the country.
Naturally, when you focus every part of your mind and soul on the plight of other people, natural disasters, impending doom and your own personal problems, it can have a considerable effect on your body. From an errant grey hairs to deep wrinkles, these former Commanders-in-Chief all prove that there is a price to pay for being one of the most important people on the planet…
1. Barack Obama (2008-2017)
When Obama first took to the Oval Office in 2009, he was a vision of youth. At 47-years-young, he was a stark contrast to his greying predecessor, George W. Bush. But the strain of eight years behind the Resolute desk became distinctly visible when the Obama, the first black president, stepped down in 2017.
Could it have been the pressure of reviving America after the 2008 financial crash that prompted those stray silver hairs to arrive prematurely? Or, the horror of the multiple mass shootings over his tenure? Or, the carefully planned high-risk operation to assassinate Osama Bin Laden in 2011?
2. George W. Bush (2000-2008)
When George W. Bush was sworn in, he was the spitting image of his father who’d held the same office eight years prior. But unlike his father, Bush would go on to secure two terms as president, which evidently took their toll on the Texas-native.
Just eight months into Bush’s first term, the promising president was met with one of America’s worst atrocities when the September 11 attacks claimed the lives of nearly 3,000 citizens. In response, Bush launched a “War on Terror” which included the Iraq War, Afghanistan War and the controversial torture of prisoners.
This, combined with the chaos caused by Hurricane Katrina and the “Great Recession”, saw Bush leave the Oval Office looking pretty exhausted.
3. Franklin D. Roosevelt (1933-1945)
Roosevelt commanded the Oval Office at a time when America was experiencing great strain as World War II and the Great Depression threatened to push the country into complete turmoil. Serving four terms in office (Roosevelt tragically died 11 weeks into his fourth term after his health severely deteriorated), Roosevelt is one of America’s most popular presidents with both historians and citizens of the time.
4. Bill Clinton (1993-2001)
When a 46-year-old Bill Clinton entered the White House in 1993, he was already sporting a head of grey hair. But eight years running the country – the latter of which were marred by the Monica Lewinsky sex scandal – saw deep wrinkles begin to appear over the Arkansas-born president’s face. Despite the controversies which are associated with his name, Clinton is still one of the highest rated presidents in history.
5. George H.W. Bush (1989-1993)
Before Clinton came George H.W. Bush, the father of George W. Bush. Despite being 64-years-old when he assumed office, Bush looked relatively youthful. But four years running the US would change that.
During his one term, Bush would see the fall of the Berlin Wall and the Soviet Union dissolve. In addition, Bush continued to work hard on the War on Drugs (something he’d spearheaded during his eight years as Vice President under Ronald Reagen). Despite the evident effect that his four years as Commander-in-Chief had, Bush is currently the eldest living former US president at 93-years-old.
6. John F. Kennedy (1961-1963)
Many argue that the key to John F. Kennedy’s presidential win was his good looks. At 43-years-old he was one of the youngest presidents to ever be sworn in, and this youth had a large part to play in his success.Many argue that the key to John F. Kennedy’s presidential win was his good looks. At 43-years-old he was one of the youngest presidents to ever be sworn in, and this youth had a large part to play in his success.
Sadly, Kennedy’s turbulent time in office would end in disaster when he was famously assassinated in Dallas in 1963. However, the effect of his two years and 10 months as President of the US were telling on his famed good looks. The Cuba Missile Crisis, Bay of the Pigs invasion, and Civil Rights Movement clearly put the president under pressure.
7. Gerald Ford (1974-1977)
Gerald Ford may only have served for two years and five months, and mostly due to a complete fluke (he became Richard Nixon’s Vice President for eight months after the resignation of Spiro Agnew, then became president when Nixon resigned in 1974), but that short time aged the Nebraska-born president considerably.
8. Richard Nixon (1969-1974)
Richard Nixon, the only president to ever resign, is possibly one of America’s most famous leaders, sadly for all the wrong reasons. Despite ending the war in Vietnam and successfully bringing home American prisoners of war, instigating a missile treaty with the Soviet Union and presiding over the 1969 Apollo 11 moon landing, Nixon’s tenure as president will be best remembered for the Watergate scandal, which saw him become the first president to be impeached. No wonder he suddenly looked so old by the time he stepped down.
9. Harry S. Truman (1945-1953)
Harry S. Truman was the only world leader to ever use nuclear weapons during in a war, which unsurprisingly changes a person, as his before and after photos show!
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