From Obama To Rishi Sunak: Top World Leaders And Their Post-Retirement Gigs

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Life after office

After leaving office, many world leaders take different paths. Some focus on education or philanthropy, others explore writing, mentoring, or business.

Dr. APJ Abdul Kalam (India)

APJ Abdul Kalam, who served as President of India between 2002 and 2007, returned to academics and served as a visiting professor at various universities while his focus remained coaching youth through education, science, and public interaction.

APJ Abdul Kalam

Barack Obama (The US)

44th President of the United States (2009–2017), Barack Obama remained active through writing, leading the Obama Foundation, and co-founding a media company. He has also supported political campaigns and public causes.

Barack Obama

George W. Bush (The US)

George W. Bush served as the 43rd president of the United States (2001–2009) but turned to painting and writing after his political office career with a continued focus on veterans' welfare and global health through his presidential centre.

Bill Clinton (USA)

42nd the US President (1993–2001), Bill Clinton remained involved in humanitarian work and public speaking. Through the Clinton Foundation, he supported efforts in health, climate, and economic development.

Bill Clinton

Angela Merkel (Germany)

Angela Merkel, German Chancellor from 2005 to 2021, has moved into a simple life of writing her memoirs and attending global meetings occasionally. However, she has remained an influential player in global affairs.

Gerhard Schroder (Germany)

Chancellor of Germany from 1998 to 2005, Gerhard Schroder moved into the energy sector after office, working with Russian companies such as Nord Stream, Rosneft, and Gazprom.

Junichiro Koizumi (Japan)

Prime Minister of Japan from 2001 to 2006, Junichiro Koizumi, later became a strong voice against nuclear energy after the Fukushima disaster. He supported renewable energy and remained active in public discussions on Japan’s energy future.

Img: Japan Times

Rishi Sunak (UK)

Rishi Sunak, the UK Prime Minister from 2022 to 2024, has recently joined Goldman Sachs as a senior adviser. After leaving active politics, he entered the banking industry and continues to be involved in global economic matters.

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