As we near 250 years of the United States of America’s independence, it’s worth more closely examining the presidency itself as an institution.
45 men have served in 47 presidencies since the office was established in 1789, with Grover Cleveland and Donald Trump having the only non-consecutive terms.
However, despite Article Two of the US Constitution stating that the minimum age for a president to take office is only 35 years old, the median age has actually leaned closer to 55. While figures like Zohran Mamdani have contributed to an influx of younger thought in public office, the top brass remains in that upper age group.
In honor of our incumbent POTUS reaching a milestone in his presidency (and a major birthday), plus ahead of the country’s major anniversary, we’re looking back at the oldest American Presidents to assume office…
© Getty ImagesJoe Biden
Joe Biden only narrowly follows Trump, named the 46th POTUS on January 20, 2021 at 78 years and 61 days. He was 82 years old when his term concluded in January 2026, making him the oldest sitting president in American history.
During his second run for the presidency leading up to the 2024 election, Biden was often criticized by his opponents (primarily Trump himself) for his age and weakened health, compounded by his performance in his very first debate against Trump. He was replaced just over 100 days prior to the election in the race by his Vice President, Kamala Harris.
© Getty ImagesRonald Reagan
“Hollywood’s President,” as he was often known, Ronald Reagan was 69 years and 349 days when he ascended to the office on January 20, 1981 as the United States’ 40th president, two weeks shy of his milestone 70th birthday.
Reagan’s two terms were defined by his focus on economics and wartime efforts, with “Reaganomics” dominating his first term and foreign affairs his second. He passed away in June 2004 at the age of 93.
© Getty ImagesWilliam Henry Harrison
William Henry Harrison remains an anomaly among American presidents, assuming office at the age of 68 years and 23 days on March 4, 1841 as the ninth POTUS. However, he fell ill shortly after and died just 31 days into his presidency, the shortest serving American president to date. His Vice President John Tyler took over.
© Getty ImagesJames Buchanan
James Buchanan, the 15th POTUS, was 65 years and 315 days when he was named to the office on March 4, 1857. His term primarily focused on upholding the rights of the South’s “slave states,” and he has been retrospectively criticized for failing to unite the fractured states and parties, thereby speeding up the arrival of the American Civil War and giving way to his successor, Abraham Lincoln, to step in.
© Getty ImagesGeorge H.W. Bush
On January 20, 1989, at 64 years and 222 days old, George H.W. Bush was named the 41st President of the United States, after eight years spent as Reagan’s VP. Foreign policy dominated a majority of his run, coming at the tail end of the Cold War. Fun fact, his son George W. Bush was a full decade younger when he was named president in 2001.
© Getty ImagesZachary Taylor
On May 4, 1849, at 64 years and 100 days, Zachary Taylor was named the 12th American president. Elected more so for his military accomplishments than his interest in politics, Taylor’s run was also a short one. He died of a sudden stomach illness just 16 months into his presidency, with his VP Millard Fillmore taking over and completing his term.
Who was the youngest U.S. president to assume office?
Technically, there are two. At 42 years and 322 days, Theodore Roosevelt is officially considered the youngest person to be named the President of the United States, although he did so as a rising VP, after William McKinley’s assassination six months into his term.
The youngest person to actually be elected into the Oval Office, though, is John F. Kennedy, who was 43 years and 236 days old.
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