The President Once Worked As What?

You read about all the presidents and their accomplishments while you're in school, but aren't you interested in learning about these historical figures beyond their time as leaders? One quick search and you'll realize they're more interesting than meets the eye! Here are 20 crazy and unique jobs presidents had before they worked in the Oval Office. 

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1. Jimmy Carter - Peanut Farmer

The 39th president of the United States certainly had humble beginnings before he entered the Oval Office. After serving his country in the U.S. Navy, Jimmy Carter returned home to work on his family's peanut farm. Throughout his life, he was heavily involved with helping his parents out, even expanding it into a profitable business. 

Department of Defense. Department of the Navy. Naval Photographic Center on Wikimedia

2. Gerald Ford - Assistant Football Coach

Gerald Ford wasn't just the 38th president of the United States, he was also an American who truly loved sports. Just take a look at his resume! After graduating university in 1935, he took on two impressive jobs at Yale University, becoming both a boxing coach and the assistant coach to the varsity football team. 

Thomas J. O'Halloran, photographer on Wikimedia

3. Ronald Reagan - Actor

Did you know the 40th president of the United States was seen in more places than just the White House? Say, maybe the big screen in a movie theatre? That's right, Ronald Reagan started out as an actor before making his way into politics, and a successful one at that. A few films you can find him in include Love Is On The Air, Kings Row, and many more. 

Michael Evans on Wikimedia

4. Ronald Reagan - Lifeguard

We're not done with Reagan quite yet; before he became a well-established actor and leader of the country, his first job was a much simpler, yet still impressive one. He started out as a lifeguard at the age of 16, and continued to work there for the next 7 years. It's estimated that Reagan saved a whopping 77 individuals during his time there. 

Series: Reagan White House Photographs, 1/20/1981 - 1/20/1989 Collection: White House Photographic Collection, 1/20/1981 - 1/20/1989 on Wikimedia

5. Abraham Lincoln - Wrestler

One of the more easily recognized American presidents in all of history, Abraham Lincoln lived an interesting life even before he made it to the office. Turns out the 16th president was an exceptionally skilled wrestler, entering in matches all throughout his early years. With an estimated 300 wins under his belt, what's more shocking than this statistic is that most believe he only has 1 recorded loss on his record. 

Library of Congress on Unsplash

6. Andrew Jackson - Saddle Maker

As the 7th American president in history, Andrew Jackson's life wasn't always about politics. After the American Revolutionary War ended in 1783, Jackson worked as the apprentice to a saddle maker, learning about the trade before briefly becoming a teacher. What's even more surprising is that he was only 14 at the time!

Mathew Benjamin Brady on Wikimedia

7. Andry Rajoelina - DJ

Let's move outside of the country for a moment to highlight the 7th (and current) president of Madagascar. While most automatically assume country leaders to have been excellent students, this adventurous president actually strayed away from pursuing higher learning in college. Instead, he opted for a different route: to become a DJ (which he successfully was for many years!).

India in Madagascar and Comoros on Wikimedia

8. Lyndon B. Johnson - Elevator Operator

If you were alive in 1925 and lived in San Bernardino, there was a chance you may have had the 36th president of the United States operate an elevator for you if you went to the Platt Building. It's not the most glamorous job, but we'd imagine he learned a lot of people skills from it!

Arnold Newman on Wikimedia

9. Warren Harding - Newspaper Editor

Warren Harding, America's 29th president, can claim more than just having run the Oval Office in his life, he can also boast that he helped revive a once-failing newspaper called The Marion Star. He was only 18 years old at the time, but alongside others, managed to bring it back to popularity after becoming one of its writers and editors. 

Harris & Ewing on Wikimedia

10. Barack Obama - Ice Cream Scooper

One of the more recent American presidents, Barack Obama, also started his journey into adulthood with a rather simple job: an ice cream scooper at Baskin Robbins. Though it wasn't the toughest, most exciting job to have, Obama did go on to explain how it taught him about responsibility and hard work. Essentially, this humble beginning helped pave the way for him to become the 44th president of the United States. 

Library of Congress on Unsplash

11. Calvin Coolidge - Toy Store Employee

Before politics, Calvin Coolidge's life had moments of fun and games - and we mean literally. This 30th president of the United States once earned money by making adorable doll carriages for kids. We're not sure if the skills learned here impacted his presidency much, but hey, every little bit of past experience helps!

Notman Studio, Boston. Restoration by User:Adam Cuerden on Wikimedia

12. Bill Clinton - Comic Book Salesman

It looks like Bill Clinton already had lots of charisma at a young age, considering at just 13 years old, he was able to convince his boss at the grocery store to let him sell used comic books out front. While working at the grocery store was technically this 42nd president's official job, we can appreciate his side hustle (which was supposedly more successful).

Chris Savas on Wikimedia

13. Grover Cleveland - Sheriff

Before being elected into office as the leader of the country (which happened twice in two inconsecutive terms), Grover Cleveland first worked as a sheriff for Erie County, New York. His time in this position wasn't easy - he was personally responsible for giving two convicted criminals the death sentence during his short two year term as sheriff.

Frederick Gutekunst on Wikimedia

14. James Garfield - Janitor

Born to a poor family, James Garfield certainly had it rough growing up before becoming the 20th president. He worked hard to climb his way up, becoming a diligent student to educate himself on important matters. But of course, he had to pay for tuition somehow. So when he studied at Eclectic Institute in 1851, he also worked as a humble janitor on the side. 

Unknown; part of Brady-Handy Photograph Collection. on Wikimedia

15. Ulysses S. Grant - Horse Trainer

Not just the 18th president of the United States, Ulysses S. Grant also deserves the title of "Horse Whisperer" given his strong connection and ability to train horses. Having been around these majestic animals all his life, he developed excellent horse-riding and handling skills early on, earning himself a positive reputation in both the military and his personal life. So much so that he was tasked with training many of his neighbors' horses at a young age!

Brady-Handy Photograph Collection, Library of Congress on Wikimedia

16. Millard Fillmore - Clothmaker

Millard Fillmore, most commonly known as the 13th president of the United States, once worked as an apprentice to a clothmaker. With his father unable to provide for his poor family, he sent his son to work for Benjamin Hungerford, a clothmaker, when Fillmore was around 14 years old. Some say it was a rather unenjoyable experience that left him more miserable than happy.

Mathew Benjamin Brady on Wikimedia

17. Woodrow Wilson - University President

Though you may remember Woodrow Wilson as America's 28th president, some might remember him as the president of something else. As a well-educated scholar who even received a Ph.D, Wilson was an esteemed instructor who gained such a reputation, he eventually worked as Princeton University's president. He sure had some great presidential experience before actually becoming the official one!

Harris & Ewing on Wikimedia

18. Andrew Johnson - Tailor

Andrew Johnson lived a very simple life before eventually running for and becoming the 17th president of the United States. His family was very poor growing up, and as a result, he never received an education. Instead of learning in school, he found other ways to educate and develop himself, working as a tailor's apprentice when he was incredibly young. A few years later, he even opened up his own shop! 

Mathew Benjamin Brady on Wikimedia

19. Harry Truman - Haberdasher

For those unfamiliar with the wacky and outdated word, haberdasher simply describes someone who sells men's clothing and accessories. Opened way back in 1919, Harry Truman, otherwise known as America's 33rd president, opened up his very own store (alongside friend Eddie Jacobson) named Truman and Jacobson Haberdashery. Unfortunately, not even the future president could keep his business afloat, with the store hitting bankruptcy just 2 years later in 1921. 

Greta Kempton on Wikimedia

20. Borut Pahor - Model

The 4th president of Slovenia, Boru Pahor, was in office for a decade between 2012 and 2022. But while he's most recognized for his position in government, he had a much more glamorous past life. According to media outlets, Pahor worked as a model during his university years as a means to support himself and pay tuition. 

UKOM on Wikimedia