Top 10 oldest presidents in U.S. history: Who served at the oldest age?
Age has been a defining factor in U.S. presidential history, with some leaders taking office or leaving it at an old age. From Donald Trump and Joe Biden, to Ronald Reagan, the U.S. has seen some of the oldest presidents in its history.
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TABLE OF CONTENTS
Key takeaways
- The oldest presidents in U.S. history brought years of experience and wisdom to the presidency.
- Several U.S. presidents, like Donald Trump and Ronald Reagan, took office at an older age.
- President Biden became the first person in his 80s to be a U.S. president.
- Biden became the oldest president in U.S. history upon his inauguration in 2021.
Top 10 oldest presidents in U.S history
Thirty-five is the minimum age requirement for the U.S. presidency, but there is no maximum limit. While wisdom often comes with experience, age can also bring challenges to governance. Here is a list of ten oldest presidents in U.S. history and who served at the oldest age.
| Name | Age at inauguration | Age at the end of the term | Presidency |
| Donald Trump | 78 years, 220 days | Still in office | 45th and 47th |
| Joe Biden | 78 years and 61 days | 82 years, 61 days | 46th |
| Ronald Reagan | 69 years, 349 days | 77 years, 349 days | 40th |
| Dwight D. Eisenhower | 62 years, 98 days | 70 years, 98 days | 34th |
| Andrew Jackson | 61 years, 11 months, 19 days | 69 years, 11 months, 19 days | 7th |
| James Buchanan | 65 years, 315 days | 69 years, 315 days | 15th |
| George H.W. Bush | 64 years, 222 days | 68 years, 222 days | 41st |
| William Henry Harrison | 68 years | 68 years (died in office) | 9th |
| Zachary Taylor | 64 years | 65 years (died in office) | 12th |
| John Adams | 61 years | 65 years | 2nd |
1. Donald Trump
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- Full name: Donald John Trump
- Date of birth: 14 June 1946
- Age at inauguration: 78 years, 220 days
- Place of birth: Jamaica Hospital Medical Centre, New York, United States
- Presidency: 45th and 47th U.S. President (2017 – 2021, 2025 – present)
Donald Trump is the oldest U.S. president to serve in office, taking his second oath on 20 January 2025, at 78 years and 7 months old. He was first elected as the 45th president in 2016 and later won a second term in 2024, making him the 47th president.
Before politics, Donald was a successful businessman and TV personality, best known for his real estate empire and hosting The Apprentice. Trump's presidency has focused on economic policies, immigration, and strong nationalist views, making him a significant figure in modern U.S. history.
2. Joe Biden
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- Full name: Joseph Robinette Biden Jr.
- Date of birth: 20 November 1942
- Age at inauguration: 78 years and 61 days
- Age at end of term: 82 years, 61 days
- Place of birth: Scranton, Pennsylvania, USA
- Presidency: 20 January 2021 – 2025
Joe Biden became the 46th president of the United States on 20 January 2021, at 78 years old, making him the oldest to take office at the time. At 80, he became the oldest sitting U.S. president. His age brought experience and scrutiny, making him one of the most discussed leaders in recent history.
Biden took office when COVID-19 was hitting older people in America hard, and he admitted he was older too. During an interview with The View during his candidacy, he stated:
It’s a legitimate question to ask about my age. Hopefully, I can demonstrate not only with age has come wisdom and experience that can make things a lot better.
Before serving as president, Biden had a long political career, serving as a U.S. senator for over 35 years and later as vice president under Barack Obama from 2009 to 2017.
3. Ronald Reagan
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- Full name: Ronald Wilson Reagan
- Date of birth: 6 February 1911
- Age at inauguration: 69 years, 349 days
- Age at end of term: 77 years, 349 days
- Place of birth: Tampico, Illinois, United States
- Presidency: 20 January 1981 – 20 January 1989
Ronald Reagan served as the 40th president of the United States from 1981 to 1989. He took office at 69 years old and completed his second term just before turning 78. While campaigning in 1980, Reagan tried to put to rest questions about his age by pledging that he would resign if the White House physician ever detected signs of mental deterioration.
Before politics, Ronald was a Hollywood actor and the Governor of California. As president, Reagan focused on economic growth, reducing government regulations, strengthening the military, and confronting the Soviet Union during the Cold War.
4. Dwight D. Eisenhower
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- Full name: Dwight David Eisenhower
- Date of birth: 14 October 1890
- Age at inauguration: 62 years, 98 days
- Age at end of term: 70 years, 98 days
- Place of birth: Denison, Texas, USA
- Presidency: 20 January 1953 – 20 January 1953
Dwight D. Eisenhower was the 34th president of the United States from 1953 to 1961. He took office at 62 and finished his second term at 70, making him one of the oldest presidents of his time. He was succeeded by the second-youngest president ever elected, John F. Kennedy, a brother of Eunice Kennedy Shriver.
Before his presidency, Dwight was a five-star general in World War II, leading Allied forces in Europe and playing a key role in the D-Day invasion. He died of heart failure on 28 March 1969, at the age of 78 at the Walter Reed Army Medical Center in Washington, DC.
5. Andrew Jackson
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- Full name: Andrew Jackson
- Date of birth: 15 March 1767
- Age at inauguration: 61 years, 11 months, 19 days
- Age at end of term: 69 years, 11 months, 19 days
- Place of birth: Waxhaws
- Presidency: 4 March 1829 – 4 March 1837
Andrew Jackson was the seventh president of the United States from 1829 to 1837. He took office at 61 and finished his second term just before turning 70. Before his presidency, he rose to fame as a general in the U.S. Army and served in both houses of the U.S. Congress. He was recognised for his victory in the Battle of New Orleans during the War of 1812.
As president, Jackson focused on expanding democracy, opposing the national bank, and enforcing federal authority. He died on 8 June 1845 at the age of 78. His cause of death was likely a combination of chronic tuberculosis, heart failure, and lead poisoning from bullets that remained in his body from past duels.
6. James Buchanan
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- Full name: James Buchanan Jr.
- Date of birth: 23 April 1791
- Age at inauguration: 65 years, 315 days
- Age at end of term: 69 years, 315 days
- Place of birth: Cove Gap, Pennsylvania, USA
- Presidency: 4 March 1857 – 4 March 1861
James Buchanan served as the 15th president of the United States from 1857 to 1861. He took office at 65 years old and completed his term just before turning 70. Buchanan promised not to seek reelection and was succeeded by President Lincoln in 1860. He served immediately before the American Civil War.
Buchanan was a lifelong politician and the only bachelor president in U.S. history. His presidency was marked by rising tensions between the North and South over slavery, and his failure to address the crisis is often blamed for the start of the Civil War. James died on 1 June 1868 at the age of 77. His cause of death was believed to be respiratory failure, likely due to pneumonia.
7. George H.W. Bush
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- Full name: George Herbert Walker Bush
- Date of birth: 12 June 1924
- Age at inauguration: 64 years, 222 days
- Age at end of term: 68 years, 222 days
- Place of birth: Milton, Massachusetts, United States
- Presidency: 20 January 1989 – 20 January 1993
George H.W. Bush is another U.S. president who served at the oldest age. He served as the 41st president of the United States from 1989 to 1993. He took office at 64 years old and completed his term at 68. President Bush was the first sitting vice president to ascend to the presidency since 1837.
Before becoming president, he served as vice president under Ronald Reagan, CIA director, U.S. ambassador to the United Nations, and a congressman. His presidency focused on foreign policy, including leading the U.S. during the Gulf War, managing the end of the Cold War, and overseeing the fall of the Berlin Wall. He lost re-election in 1992 to Bill Clinton.
8. William Henry Harrison
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- Full name: William Henry Harrison
- Date of birth: 9 February 1773
- Age at inauguration: 68 years
- Age at end of term: 68 years (died in office after 32 days)
- Place of birth: Charles City County, Virginia
- Presidency: 4 March – 4 April 1841
William Henry Harrison was the 9th President of the United States, but his time in office was very short. He became president on 4 March 1841 but got sick and died just 32 days later on 4 April 1841.
William was the first president to die in office, causing a brief constitutional crisis since presidential succession was not then fully defined in the U.S. Constitution. Harrison is remembered for his Indian treaties, and also his inventive election campaign tactics.
9. Zachary Taylor
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- Full name: Zachary Taylor
- Date of birth: 24 November 1784
- Age at inauguration: 64 years
- Age at end of term: 65 years (died in office)
- Place of birth: Orange County, Virginia, United States
- Presidency: (4 March 1849 – 9 July 1850)
Zachary Taylor was an American military officer and politician who was the 12th president of the United States. He became president on 4 March 1849 at the age of 64 but died 16 months into his term, on 9 July 1850 from a stomach disease.
Taylor had the third-shortest presidential term in U.S. history. Before becoming president, he was a famous general who fought in the Mexican-American War.
10. John Adams
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- Full name: John Adams
- Date of birth: 30 October 1735
- Age at inauguration: 61 years
- Age at end of term: 65 years
- Place of birth: Braintree, Massachusetts
- Presidency: (4 March 1797 – 4 March 1801)
John Adams is another U.S. president who served at an older age. He was the second president of the United States from 1797 to 1801. He took office at 61 and completed his term at 65. Before that, he was Vice President under George Washington.
Adams helped America become independent from Britain and was one of the founding fathers. He eventually lived to be 90 years old, making him one of the longest-living presidents in history.
Who was the oldest president elected?
The oldest president ever elected is Joe Biden, who won the 2020 election at 77 years old and took office on 20 January 2021 at 78 years and 61 days old.
Who was the eldest US president at death?
The oldest U.S. president at the time of death was Jimmy Carter, who passed away on 29 December 2024 at the age of 100 years, 89 days old.
Who is the oldest president in the world?
As of March 2025, the oldest serving president in the world is Paul Biya, the President of Cameroon. He was born on 13 February 1933 and is currently 92 years old. Biya has been in power since 1982.
How old was Obama when he became president?
Barack Obama was 47 years old when he became president. He was inaugurated as the 44th president of the United States on 20 January 2009.
The oldest U.S. presidents showed that age can bring experience and challenges in leadership. Ronald Reagan, Joe Biden and Donald Trump became presidents later in life after many years in politics, business, or the military.
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Proofreading by Night Mongina, copy editor at Legit.ng.
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Night Mongina (Lifestyle writer) Night Mongina is an article writer with an experience of three years. She has been working as a writer in Legit.ng since August 2021. She won the Writer of the Year Award on Legit in 2023. Night worked with (KNA) Kenya News Agency as a freelance writer (2016-2017). She graduated with a Diploma in Health Records and Information from Kisii University in 2018. In 2023, Night finished the AFP course on Digital Investigation Techniques. In March 2024, she completed the Google News Initiative course. Email: nightmongina@gmail.com
Night Mongina (Lifestyle writer) Night Mongina is an article writer with an experience of three years. She has been working as a writer in Legit.ng since August 2021. She won the Writer of the Year Award on Legit in 2023. Night worked with (KNA) Kenya News Agency as a freelance writer (2016-2017). She graduated with a Diploma in Health Records and Information from Kisii University in 2018. In 2023, Night finished the AFP course on Digital Investigation Techniques. In March 2024, she completed the Google News Initiative course. Email: nightmongina@gmail.com
