Overview of Living Former Vice Presidents
As of 2025, the living former vice presidents of the United States include Walter Mondale, Dan Quayle, Al Gore, Dick Cheney, Joe Biden, and Mike Pence. Each held the office under different presidents and historical contexts, and their post-vice careers vary across public service, private life, memoirs, and occasional advisory roles. This overview summarizes their paths to the vice presidency, their time in office, and their status after leaving national office, based on publicly available and verifiable records.
How Someone Becomes Vice President
The vice president is elected on the same ticket as the president through the Electoral College. Originally, the runner-up in the presidential election became vice president under the original Constitution, but the Twelfth Amendment (1804) created the current system of electing president and vice president as a ticket. Modern vice presidents are typically chosen by presidential nominees to balance the ticket geographically, demographically, or ideologically, and are confirmed by Congress after the election.
Walter Mondale (Vice President 1977–1981)
Running Mate and Presidency
Walter Mondale served as vice president under President Jimmy Carter. He was selected to balance Carter’s profile as a Washington outsider with experience in Washington and foreign policy. After his vice presidency, Mondale ran for president in 1984, selecting Congresswoman Geraldine Ferraro as his running mate in a historic vice presidential nomination. He later served as U.S. Ambassador to Japan under President Bill Clinton.
Status and Biographical Notes
Mondale is known for a candid concession in the 1984 general election after winning only his home state of Minnesota and the District of Columbia. In later life, he practiced law and remained engaged in public discourse on issues such as nuclear weapons policy and social welfare. Mondale passed away in April 2021.
Dan Quayle (Vice President 1989–1993)
Running Mate and Presidency
Dan Quayle served as vice president under President George H. W. Bush. His tenure was marked by mixed public reactions to his policy positions and notable gaffes, which often became media flashpoints. During his time in office, he focused on issues such as family policy and drug abuse prevention.
Status and Biographical Notes
Since leaving office, Quayle has written memoirs, made occasional speaking appearances, and remained visible in Republican circles. He is noted as one of the younger vice presidents at the time of taking office. As of 2025, he remains active but largely out of day-to-day national political headlines.
Al Gore (Vice President 1993–2001)
Running Mate and Presidency
Al Gore served as vice president under President Bill Clinton. He was a high-profile vice president who often led policy initiatives on technology, environmental issues, and deficit reduction. In the 2000 presidential election, Gore won the popular vote but lost the Electoral College after a contested race in Florida decided by the Supreme Court.
Status and Biographical Notes
After the 2000 election, Gore focused on climate activism, authoring books and producing documentaries, notably receiving attention for work on climate change. He won a Grammy, an Emmy, and an Academy Award. As of 2025, Gore remains active in public life, speaking and writing on environmental and democratic reform issues.
Dick Cheney (Vice President 2001–2009)
Running Mate and Presidency
Dick Cheney served as vice president under President George W. Bush. His tenure was defined by the response to the September 11 attacks, the wars in Afghanistan and Iraq, and significant debates over national security policy, civil liberties, and executive power. Cheney was known for his steady presence during periods of crisis and for keeping a low public profile in recent years.
Status and Biographical Notes
Cheney has occasionally spoken on national security matters in memoirs and interviews. He has largely remained out of partisan headlines in later life, though his policies continue to be referenced in foreign policy debates. As of 2025, he is alive and not known to hold active government or advisory posts.
Joe Biden (Vice President 2009–2017)
Running Mate and Presidency
Joe Biden served as vice president under President Barack Obama. He was a frequent presence on the national stage, focusing on economic recovery after the Great Recession, infrastructure, cancer research initiatives, and foreign policy matters including engagement with China and the Middle East. He was widely seen as a trusted counselor within the administration.
Status and Biographical Notes
Biden ran for president in 2020 and won, becoming the 46th president of the United States. His vice presidency is often noted for its focus on bipartisan messaging and use of his Senate experience. After transitioning to the presidency, he returned to private life and has made occasional public appearances.
Mike Pence (Vice President 2017–2021)
Running Mate and Presidency
Mike Pence served as vice president under President Donald Trump. His tenure was marked by loyalty to the president, involvement in domestic policy such as tax reform and deregulation, and notable moments in electoral certification and foreign engagements. He is also known for his background as a longtime member of Congress and governor of Indiana.
Status and Biographical Notes
Since leaving office, Pence has written a memoir, participated in interviews, and maintained a public presence, though he has generally avoided direct 2024 campaign roles. As of 2025, he is alive and not holding elected or appointed office.