The Oldest Presidents in U.S. History, Based on Their Age at the Time of Inauguration
Age was nothing but a number for the leaders who ascended to the presidency in the later years of their lives
Jim Watson-Pool/Getty Images; Jeff J Mitchell/Getty Images; Harry Langdon/Getty Images
(Left) Joe Biden on June 2, 2023; (Middle) Donald Trump on May 1, 2023; (Right) Ronald Reagan in 1980With Election Day approaching on Tuesday, Nov. 5, former President Donald Trump is the oldest presidential nominee in U.S. history at age 78. If he were to win the race against Vice President Kamala Harris, Trump would be the oldest American president ever inaugurated in January 2025 — inspiring a look back at the oldest sitting presidents in U.S. history so far.
While the Constitution states that presidents must be at least 35 years old, the median age of U.S. presidents on the day of their first inauguration is 55, according to the Pew Research Center. Many enter the highest office in the land with backgrounds in the military, law or government — and for the oldest presidents to date, some additional life experiences.
Here are the 10 oldest people to be sworn in as president of the United States, including multiple recent office-holders.
Related: The Longest-Living Presidents in U.S. History, from Jimmy Carter to Joe Biden
Joe Biden
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President Joe Biden at the Democratic National Convention in Chicago, Illinois on Aug. 19, 2024.Years in office: 2021-present
Age at inauguration: 78 years, 61 days
Age at end of term: Incumbent
Lifespan after presidency: Still living
Donald Trump
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Years in office: 2017-2021
Age at inauguration: 70 years, 220 days
Age at end of term: 74 years, 220 days
Lifespan after presidency: Still living
Ronald Reagan
Harry Langdon/Getty
Ronald Reagan poses for a portrait in Los Angeles, California in 1980.Years in office: 1981-1989
Age at inauguration: 69 years, 349 days
Age at end of term: 77 years, 349 days
Lifespan after presidency: 15 years, 137 days
William Henry Harrison
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William Henry Harrison.Years in office: 1841
Age at inauguration: 68 years, 23 days
Age at end of term: 68 years, 34 days
Lifespan after presidency: Died in office of pneumonia, making his 32-day tenure the shortest in U.S. presidential history
James Buchanan
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James Buchanan.Years in office: 1857-1861
Age at inauguration: 65 years, 315 days
Age at end of term: 69 years, 315 days
Lifespan after presidency: 7 years, 89 days
George H. W. Bush
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George H.W. Bush.Years in office: 1989-1993
Age at inauguration: 64 years, 222 days
Age at end of term: 68 years, 222 days
Lifespan after presidency: 25 years, 314 days
Zachary Taylor
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Zachary Taylor.Years in office: 1849-1850
Age at inauguration: 64 years, 100 days
Age at end of term: 65 years, 227 days
Lifespan after presidency: Died in office after falling ill, making his 16-month presidency the third-shortest in U.S. history
Dwight D. Eisenhower
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Dwight D. Eisenhower poses for a portrait at the White House in Wahington, D.C. in 1956.Years in office: 1953-1961
Age at inauguration: 62 years, 98 days
Age at end of term: 70 years, 98 days
Lifespan after presidency: 8 years, 67 days
Andrew Jackson
Hulton Archive/Getty Images
Andrew Jackson.Years in office: 1829-1837
Age at inauguration: 61 years, 354 days
Age at end of term: 69 years, 354 days
Lifespan after presidency: 8 years, 96 days
John Adams
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John Adams.Years in office: 1797-1801
Age at inauguration: 61 years, 125 days
Age at end of term: 65 years, 125 days
Lifespan after presidency: 25 years, 122 days
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