How Many U.S. Vice Presidents Became President? Full List and History

The Vice President of the United States is the first person in line to become president. If the President dies, quits, or is removed from office, the U.S. Constitution says that the Vice President takes over.

But many Vice Presidents have also become President after their term as VP ended by winning the presidential election. But how many US vice presidents have become president?

Fifteen Vice Presidents have become President of the United States as of 2026. Eight of these people took office because the President died, one because they resigned, and six were directly elected to the office.

How many U.S. Vice Presidents have become President?

There have been 15 U.S. vice presidents who eventually rose to the presidency. While the vice president's office comes second in importance and is a part of the line of succession, this does not mean that holding this office will lead to becoming the president. 

List of All US Vice Presidents Who Became President

Indeed, among the numerous vice presidents of America throughout history, there have been just these few who eventually got promoted to the highest office in the country. 

Almost all of them succeeded the current presidents, either due to the latter's deaths or resignation. Only one of them, Gerald Ford, managed to become a president without the predecessor resigning.

How does a Vice President become President in the US?

The transition of power from a Vice President (VP) to the President is governed by the U.S. Constitution and historical precedents. There are primarily three ways this transition occurs:

1. Through Death of the Sitting President

Eight Vice Presidents took the oath of office following the death of the President. The first to do so was John Tyler in 1841 after William Henry Harrison died of pneumonia just one month into his term. This established the Tyler Precedent, confirming that the VP becomes the U.S. President in full, not just an Acting President.

2. Through Resignation

Gerald Ford is the only person in U.S. history to become President after someone else quit. He took office in 1974 after Richard Nixon stepped down because of the Watergate scandal. Ford is also unique because the Electoral College never chose him to be either Vice President or President. Instead, he was appointed Vice President under the 25th Amendment.

3. Through Direct Election

After serving as Vice President, six people were elected President. This includes John Adams and Thomas Jefferson, the first two Vice Presidents. Joe Biden, who was Vice President from 2009 to 2017 and then President from 2020 to 2021, is the most recent example.

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The 25th Amendment and Line of Succession

Before the 25th Amendment was ratified in 1967, the Constitution was somewhat vague about what happened if a President became disabled or if the Vice President's seat became vacant. The amendment formalized the process:

Section 1: In case of the removal of the President from office or of his death or resignation, the Vice President shall become President.

Section 2: Whenever there is a vacancy in the office of the Vice President, the President shall nominate a Vice President.

This amendment ensures that the executive branch remains stable during times of crisis.

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American history offers a concrete illustration of the Vice President’s role, which is far more than just an honorific post; it is integral to the politics of the nation. Having had 15 Vice Presidents become Presidents in succession, the office has undoubtedly served a vital function in ensuring a seamless changeover when it comes to leadership during crises.