Before he ever took office, President Polk announced that he was not going to seek a second term as president. He did not attempt to run for reelection and instead retired at the end of his first term in office. Unfortunately, he only lived three months after his retirement.

Polk died on June 15, 1849, possibly due to cholera. Polk is remembered as one of the best one-term presidents that America has had due to his leadership during the Mexican War and the fact that he was able to keep all of his campaign promises.