Here's What 16 US Presidents Looked Like At The Beginning Vs. End Of Their Terms, And It Shows What A Difference 4 (Or Sometimes 8) Stressful Years Make

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1.16th President Abraham Lincoln after the 1860 election:

A portrait of Abraham Lincoln, 16th President of the United States, wearing a suit and bow tie
Bettmann / Bettmann Archive

The last photograph ever taken of Lincoln in April 1865:

A historical portrait of Abraham Lincoln with a beard, wearing a suit and bow tie
Ann Ronan Pictures/Print Collector / Getty Images

Here's a side-by-side comparison:

Abraham Lincoln, wearing a suit with a bow tie, looking to the side in a formal portrait
Abraham Lincoln, wearing a suit with a bow tie, looking to the side in a formal portrait
Black and white portrait of Abraham Lincoln with a solemn expression, wearing a bow tie and suit
Black and white portrait of Abraham Lincoln with a solemn expression, wearing a bow tie and suit

Bettmann / Bettmann Archive, Print Collector / Print Collector/Getty Images

2.32nd President, Franklin D. Roosevelt, at the beginning of his Presidency in 1933:

Franklin D. Roosevelt in a formal robe seated at a table playing solitaire with a focused expression

*Note: FDR served four terms, but I won't bore you with pictures of four different inaugurations. Instead, I chose to show images of the beginning of his presidency, the mid-point, and the year before he passed away.

Keystone Features/Hulton Archive / Getty Images

FDR at the midpoint of his Presidency in 1939:

Franklin D. Roosevelt sits at a desk with several microphones in front of him, including WOL, CBS, NBC, and MBS
Universal History Archive/Universal Images Group via Getty Images

FDR near the end of his presidency, in 1944:

Franklin D. Roosevelt sits at a desk with a microphone, delivering a speech, smiling. Papers and pens are on the desk in front of him
Bettmann / Bettmann Archive

Here's a side-by-side comparison:

Franklin D. Roosevelt, dressed in a patterned robe and tie, is seated at a table playing solitaire with a deck of cards
Franklin D. Roosevelt, dressed in a patterned robe and tie, is seated at a table playing solitaire with a deck of cards
Franklin D. Roosevelt smiling at his desk with a vintage microphone and open documents in front of him
Franklin D. Roosevelt smiling at his desk with a vintage microphone and open documents in front of him

Keystone Features / Getty Images, Bettmann / Bettmann Archive

3.33rd President Harry S. Truman in July 1945:

Harry S. Truman, dressed in a suit, sits at a desk, pointing to an open book, surrounded by papers and photos in an office
Keystone-France/Gamma-Keystone via Getty Images

Truman after his re-election in November 1948:

Harry S. Truman holding a "Chicago Daily Tribune" newspaper with the headline "Dewey Defeats Truman," smiling confidently
Underwood Archives / Getty Images

Truman near the end of his presidency in 1952:

Harry S. Truman, wearing a suit, sits in a chair smiling behind a microphone. Other people are partially visible in the background
Bettman via Getty Images

Here's a side-by-side comparison:

Harry S. Truman, dressed in a suit and bow tie, is sitting at his desk, pointing to a book
Harry S. Truman, dressed in a suit and bow tie, is sitting at his desk, pointing to a book
Harry S. Truman, seated and smiling behind a microphone, wearing a light-colored suit, circa mid-20th century, with a few people standing in the background
Harry S. Truman, seated and smiling behind a microphone, wearing a light-colored suit, circa mid-20th century, with a few people standing in the background

Keystone-france / Gamma-Keystone via Getty Images, Bettmann / Bettmann Archive

4.34th President Dwight D. Eisenhower in 1953:

Dwight D. Eisenhower, in a suit with arms crossed, poses for a formal portrait against a plain background
Keystone-France/Gamma-Keystone via Getty Images

Eisenhower after his 1957 re-election:

Dwight D. Eisenhower, in a suit and tie, looking directly at the camera. Background features a flag and drapery
Keystone-France/Gamma-Keystone via Getty Images

Eisenhower near the end of his presidency in 1960:

Dwight D. Eisenhower and Richard Nixon smiling and shaking hands in a formal setting, both wearing suits
Universal Archive/Universal Images Group via Getty Images

Here's a side-by-side comparison:

Dwight D. Eisenhower, wearing a suit and tie, poses with arms crossed in front of a wooden background
Dwight D. Eisenhower, wearing a suit and tie, poses with arms crossed in front of a wooden background
Dwight D. Eisenhower and Richard Nixon smiling and shaking hands in a formal setting with curtains in the background
Dwight D. Eisenhower and Richard Nixon smiling and shaking hands in a formal setting with curtains in the background

Keystone-france / Gamma-Keystone via Getty Images, Universal History Archive / Universal Archive/Universal Images Group via Getty Images

5.35th President John F. Kennedy on Election Day 1960:

John F. Kennedy, in a suit and tie, stands smiling and holding a piece of paper. Draped American flags are visible in the background. A woman and a police hat are in the foreground
Bettman via Getty Images

JFK in June 1963, only five months before his assassination:

John F. Kennedy speaks passionately at a microphone, dressed in a suit and tie. A crowd is visible behind him
Gutberlet/picture alliance via Getty Images

Here's a side-by-side comparison:

John F. Kennedy stands smiling in front of patriotic bunting and holds a document. Two individuals are partially visible in the background
John F. Kennedy stands smiling in front of patriotic bunting and holds a document. Two individuals are partially visible in the background
A man wearing a dark suit and white shirt speaks passionately into multiple microphones in an outdoor setting
A man wearing a dark suit and white shirt speaks passionately into multiple microphones in an outdoor setting

Bettmann / Bettmann Archive, Picture Alliance / picture alliance via Getty Images

36th President Lyndon B. Johnson in 1964:

A man in a suit and tie sits at a wooden table in front of a patterned curtain
Bettmann / Bettmann Archive

LBJ near the end of his presidency in July 1968:

Lyndon B. Johnson speaking at a podium with microphones, dressed in a suit and tie. He is in a room with a patterned curtain backdrop
Bettman via Getty Images

Here's a side-by-side comparison:

Lyndon B. Johnson, wearing a dark suit and tie, sits at a desk with patterned curtains in the background
Lyndon B. Johnson, wearing a dark suit and tie, sits at a desk with patterned curtains in the background
Lyndon B. Johnson stands at a podium, speaking into microphones, wearing a suit and tie with a pin on his jacket
Lyndon B. Johnson stands at a podium, speaking into microphones, wearing a suit and tie with a pin on his jacket

Bettmann / Bettmann Archive

6.37th President Richard Nixon in September 1969:

Richard Nixon in a formal portrait, wearing a dark suit and tie, with a neutral expression, against a plain background
Bettmann / Getty Images

Nixon in July 1972, four months before his re-election:

Richard Nixon, wearing a suit and tie, is posed looking directly at the camera with an American flag in the background
© CORBIS/Corbis via Getty Images

Nixon in April 1974, four months before his resignation:

Richard Nixon at a desk holding papers with a stack of binders labeled "Watergate" behind him, flag and presidential seal in the background
Bettman via Getty Images

Here's a side-by-side comparison:

Richard Nixon in a formal portrait, wearing a dark suit jacket, dress shirt, and tie against a neutral background
Richard Nixon in a formal portrait, wearing a dark suit jacket, dress shirt, and tie against a neutral background
Richard Nixon sitting at a desk with papers in hand and a stack of binders beside him
Richard Nixon sitting at a desk with papers in hand and a stack of binders beside him

Bettmann / Bettmann Archive

7.38th President Gerald Ford in 1974:

Gerald Ford, in a suit and tie, stands with arms crossed in front of U.S. flags and presidential seal
Photo12/Universal Images Group via Getty Images

Ford shortly before the 1976 election:

Gerald Ford sits at a desk in an office with an American flag and curtain in the background. He wears a suit and striped tie
Bettman via Getty Images

Here's a side-by-side comparison:

Gerald Ford, in a suit with crossed arms, stands in front of U.S. flags
Gerald Ford, in a suit with crossed arms, stands in front of U.S. flags
Gerald Ford, dressed in a suit and tie, seated at a desk in an official setting with an American flag in the background
Gerald Ford, dressed in a suit and tie, seated at a desk in an official setting with an American flag in the background

Photo 12 / Universal Images Group via Getty Images, Bettmann / Bettmann Archive

8.39th President Jimmy Carter in February 1977:

Jimmy Carter, smiling, dressed in a suit and tie, stands in front of an American flag and a bookshelf
Bettman via Getty Images

Carter in March 1980:

Jimmy Carter standing at a podium giving a speech, wearing a suit and tie, with the American flag in the background
Chuck Fishman / Getty Images

Here's a side-by-side comparison:

Jimmy Carter, wearing a suit and tie, smiles while posing in front of a bookshelf and an American flag
Jimmy Carter, wearing a suit and tie, smiles while posing in front of a bookshelf and an American flag
Jimmy Carter speaks at a podium with microphones in front of him. U.S. flag is partially visible in the background
Jimmy Carter speaks at a podium with microphones in front of him. U.S. flag is partially visible in the background

Bettmann / Bettmann Archive

9.40th President Ronald Reagan in January 1981:

Ronald Reagan, smiling, dressed in a suit with a red tie, an American flag in the background
Harry Langdon / Getty Images

Reagan's 1985 portrait:

Ronald Reagan, wearing a suit and tie, smiles for an official portrait with a flag in the background
Hulton Archive / Getty Images

Reagan, giving his farewell speech in January 1989:

Ronald Reagan sits at a desk in an office, holding documents and smiling at the camera
Diana Walker / Getty Images

Here's a side-by-side comparison:

Ronald Reagan, wearing a suit and red tie, smiles while posing with his hands resting on a surface in front of an American flag
Ronald Reagan, wearing a suit and red tie, smiles while posing with his hands resting on a surface in front of an American flag
Ronald Reagan sitting at a desk, holding papers, in an office setting. He is wearing a suit and tie
Ronald Reagan sitting at a desk, holding papers, in an office setting. He is wearing a suit and tie

Harry Langdon / Getty Images, Diana Walker / Getty Images

10.41st President George H.W. Bush in January 1989:

George H.W. Bush, wearing a dark suit and tie, sits in a patterned armchair, hands clasped
Cynthia Johnson / Getty Images

Bush near the end of his presidency in 1992:

George H.W. Bush smiles while wearing a suit and tie, standing in front of a microphone
Diana Walker / Getty Images

Here's a side-by-side comparison:

An elderly man in a suit with a relaxed expression, seated in a patterned chair
An elderly man in a suit with a relaxed expression, seated in a patterned chair
George H. W. Bush, wearing glasses, a dark suit, and a striped tie, smiles at an event in front of a microphone
George H. W. Bush, wearing glasses, a dark suit, and a striped tie, smiles at an event in front of a microphone

Cynthia Johnson / Getty Images, Diana Walker / Getty Images

11.42nd President Bill Clinton being sworn in at his first inauguration in January 1993:

Bill Clinton taking the presidential oath next to Hillary Clinton, a judge, and Chelsea Clinton during his inauguration ceremony
Cynthia Johnson / Getty Images

Clinton at his second inauguration in January 1997:

Bill Clinton waves to a crowd from behind a podium while Newt Gingrich stands nearby, surrounded by other individuals
LUKE FRAZZA/AFP via Getty Images

Clinton near the end of his second term in December 2000:

Bill Clinton speaks at a podium with a chart showing national debt trends in the background. Text on the chart reads "America Debt Free By The End Of The Decade."
Mario Tama / AFP via Getty Images

Here's a side-by-side comparison:

Bill Clinton taking the oath of office beside Hillary Clinton and Chelsea Clinton during his presidential inauguration ceremony
Bill Clinton taking the oath of office beside Hillary Clinton and Chelsea Clinton during his presidential inauguration ceremony
Bill Clinton gives a speech at a podium, gesturing with his hand. A chart behind him shows U.S. debt trends from 1984 to 2009, with text
Bill Clinton gives a speech at a podium, gesturing with his hand. A chart behind him shows U.S. debt trends from 1984 to 2009, with text

Cynthia Johnson / Getty Images, Mario Tama / AFP via Getty Images

12.An official White House portrait of 43rd President George W. Bush in February 2001:

A smiling person in a suit and red tie is posing in front of an American flag
White House / Newsmakers

Bush after his re-election in February 2005:

George W. Bush speaks at a podium with the Presidential Seal. A man in glasses and a suit is seated to his right
G. Fabiano-Pool / Getty Images

Bush delivering a farewell speech at the end of his second term in January 2009:

George W. Bush in a suit with an American flag pin, delivering a speech
JEWEL SAMAD/AFP via Getty Images

Here's a side-by-side comparison:

George W. Bush, wearing a suit, red tie, and white shirt, smiles in front of an American flag backdrop
George W. Bush, wearing a suit, red tie, and white shirt, smiles in front of an American flag backdrop
George W. Bush speaks in front of a blurred background that includes the American flag. He wears a dark suit, white shirt, and blue tie
George W. Bush speaks in front of a blurred background that includes the American flag. He wears a dark suit, white shirt, and blue tie

Getty Images, Jewel Samad / AFP via Getty Images

13.44th President Barack Obama at the final Presidential debate in October 2008:

Barack Obama sits at a desk, smiling and wearing a suit with a striped tie. He appears relaxed and confident
Emmanuel Dunand / AFP via Getty Images

Obama in 2012, the year his first term ended:

Barack Obama stands at a podium with the U.S. presidential seal, speaking during an event, with American flags in the background
Nurphoto / NurPhoto via Getty Images

Obama near the end of his second term in 2016:

Barack Obama at a podium, speaking and pointing into the distance with an American flag in the background
Saul Loeb / AFP via Getty Images

Here's a side-by-side comparison:

Barack Obama, in a suit and striped tie, is smiling and seated at a desk, with a blurred background suggesting a formal setting
Barack Obama, in a suit and striped tie, is smiling and seated at a desk, with a blurred background suggesting a formal setting
Barack Obama speaks at a podium, gesturing with his right hand. An American flag is in the background
Barack Obama speaks at a podium, gesturing with his right hand. An American flag is in the background

Emmanuel Dunand / AFP via Getty Images, Saul Loeb / AFP via Getty Images

14.45th President Donald Trump at his inauguration in 2017:

Donald Trump speaks at a podium during an outdoor event. He is wearing a suit and overcoat, and is gesturing with his right hand
MANDEL NGAN/AFP via Getty Images

Trump at the final presidential debate in 2020:

Donald Trump speaking at a debate, gesturing with his hands while wearing a suit and red tie
Justin Sullivan / Getty Images

Here's a side-by-side comparison:

Donald Trump speaks at a podium with a presidential seal during an outdoor event. He's wearing a suit with a red tie
Donald Trump speaks at a podium with a presidential seal during an outdoor event. He's wearing a suit with a red tie
Donald Trump speaks during a debate, wearing a suit and red tie, with hands raised and a serious expression. Blue background with indistinct text
Donald Trump speaks during a debate, wearing a suit and red tie, with hands raised and a serious expression. Blue background with indistinct text

Mandel Ngan / AFP via Getty Images, Justin Sullivan / Getty Images

15.Current President Joe Biden during the swearing-in of his new administration on January 20, 2021:

Joe Biden stands at a podium with the Seal of the President of the United States, speaking into microphones
Chip Somodevilla / Getty Images

Biden in June 2024:

Joe Biden stands behind a podium during a CNN event, dressed in a formal suit and tie, on a blue-themed stage
Kevin D. Liles for The Washington Post via Getty Images

Here's a side-by-side comparison:

Joe Biden stands at a podium with the Seal of the President of the United States, speaking into microphones
Joe Biden stands at a podium with the Seal of the President of the United States, speaking into microphones
Joe Biden stands at a podium during a CNN event, wearing a suit and tie. The background displays the CNN logo and graphics
Joe Biden stands at a podium during a CNN event, wearing a suit and tie. The background displays the CNN logo and graphics

Chip Somodevilla / Getty Images, The Washington Post / The Washington Post via Getty Images

Which president do you think changed the most? Let us know in the comments!

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