The Age Barrier: 7 Oldest U.S. Presidents At Inauguration And The New Record Holder

As of December 2025, the question of who was the oldest president ever inaugurated has a definitive, and very recent, answer. The United States has seen a dramatic shift in its presidential age demographics over the last decade, culminating in a new record holder who took the oath of office for a non-consecutive second term at an unprecedented age.

The distinction of being the oldest person to assume the presidency is now held by Donald J. Trump, who surpassed the record set by his immediate predecessor, Joe Biden, just four years prior. This recent change highlights a remarkable trend toward older candidates in modern American politics, pushing the boundaries of what was once considered the typical age for a commander-in-chief.

Donald J. Trump: Biography and The New Age Record

The 45th and 47th President of the United States, Donald J. Trump, broke the record for the oldest president inaugurated, a title he took back from Joe Biden in January 2025. His age at the time of his second inauguration cemented a new historical benchmark for the office.

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• Full Name: Donald John Trump
• Date of Birth: June 14, 1946
• Place of Birth: Queens, New York City, New York
• Political Party: Republican
• Spouses: Ivana Zelnickova (m. 1977; div. 1992), Marla Maples (m. 1993; div. 1999), Melania Knauss (m. 2005)
• Children: Donald Jr., Ivanka, Eric, Tiffany, Barron
• Education: Fordham University; University of Pennsylvania (Wharton School, B.S. in Economics)
• Previous Career: Real estate developer, businessman, television personality (The Apprentice)
• First Inauguration (45th President): January 20, 2017 (Age: 70 years, 220 days)
• Second Inauguration (47th President): January 20, 2025 (Age: 78 years, 220 days)

On Inauguration Day 2025, Donald Trump was 78 years and 220 days old, officially making him the oldest person in U.S. history to take the presidential oath of office. This second non-consecutive term inauguration saw him reclaim a record that was briefly held by his successor, Joe Biden, who was 78 years and 61 days old at his 2021 inauguration.

The Top 7 Oldest Presidents at the Time of Inauguration

The list of the oldest presidents inaugurated is now dominated by recent figures, a clear sign of the longevity and shifting demographics in American political leadership. The average age of a U.S. president at their first inauguration is approximately 55 years old, making the top of this list a collection of significant outliers.

Here are the seven oldest presidents at the time they were sworn into office, ranked by their age:

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1. Donald J. Trump (47th President): 78 years, 220 days (Inaugurated January 20, 2025)
2. Joe Biden (46th President): 78 years, 61 days (Inaugurated January 20, 2021)
3. Ronald Reagan (40th President): 73 years, 349 days (At the start of his second term in 1985)
4. William Henry Harrison (9th President): 68 years, 23 days (Inaugurated March 4, 1841)
5. James Buchanan (15th President): 65 years, 315 days (Inaugurated March 4, 1857)
6. George H.W. Bush (41st President): 64 years, 222 days (Inaugurated January 20, 1989)
7. Zachary Taylor (12th President): 64 years, 100 days (Inaugurated March 5, 1849)

It is important to note the distinction between a first inauguration and a subsequent one. While Ronald Reagan was 69 at his first inauguration, his second term saw him sworn in at nearly 74, making him the third oldest president to take the oath of office. The fact that both the first and second spots are held by presidents inaugurated in the 2020s underscores the recent phenomenon of septuagenarians and octogenarians reaching the pinnacle of American power.

The Modern Trend: From Reagan to Trump and the Age Debate

The discussion surrounding the age of the president has become a central theme in modern political discourse, largely driven by the three most recent record-holders: Donald Trump, Joe Biden, and Ronald Reagan. Before Reagan's first inauguration in 1981, the record for the oldest president was held by William Henry Harrison, who was 68 when he took office in 1841. This record stood for 140 years, highlighting the dramatic acceleration of presidential age in the late 20th and early 21st centuries.

Ronald Reagan: The Beginning of the Shift

Ronald Reagan was a groundbreaking figure in many respects, not least for his age. When he left office in 1989, he was 77 years and 349 days old, making him the oldest president to leave office at that time. His successful two terms demonstrated that advanced age was not an insurmountable barrier to effective leadership, setting a precedent that paved the way for subsequent older candidates. Reagan's age, particularly during his second term, brought the issue of presidential health and longevity into the public spotlight, a discussion that continues today.

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The Biden-Trump Exchange: A New Era of Septuagenarians

The 2020 and 2024 elections saw both major party candidates setting and breaking age records. Joe Biden’s victory in 2020 made him the oldest person ever to become president, immediately shattering the previous record. His age of 78 years and 61 days on Inauguration Day 2021 was a significant leap from Reagan's record. However, this title was short-lived. Donald Trump’s successful return to the White House in 2025, at 78 years and 220 days, pushed the record even higher, confirming a new political reality where candidates in their late seventies are viable and successful.

The proximity in age between Trump and Biden, both born in the 1940s, reflects a unique moment in U.S. history where the two leading political figures are both septuagenarians. This trend raises important questions about generational representation, the rigors of the office, and the potential for a new unwritten threshold for presidential age.

Historical Age Extremes and Longevity Records

While the focus is often on the oldest president to be sworn in, it is also insightful to consider the other end of the age spectrum and the records of presidential longevity.

The Youngest Presidents

For context, the youngest president ever to take office was Theodore Roosevelt, who ascended to the presidency in 1901 after the assassination of William McKinley. Roosevelt was only 42 years and 322 days old. The youngest person ever elected president was John F. Kennedy, who was 43 years and 236 days old at his inauguration in 1961.

The Oldest Presidents to Die

The record for the longest-lived president is a separate but related measure of longevity. This title belongs to Jimmy Carter, the 39th President, who passed away in December 2024 at the remarkable age of 100 years and 86 days. Carter’s life, which extended decades beyond his single term in office, set a new standard for post-presidency service and lifespan.

The second longest-lived president was George H.W. Bush, who died at 94 years and 171 days. Gerald Ford and Ronald Reagan also lived into their early 90s, reinforcing the notion that modern medical advancements are contributing to the increased longevity of former presidents.

The Oldest President to Leave Office

With Donald Trump’s second term ending in January 2029, he is projected to be the oldest president to leave office, at 82 years and 220 days old. This will surpass the record set by Ronald Reagan, who was 77 when he departed the White House. This metric is significant as it represents the age at which a president completes the demanding duties of the office.

The current landscape of presidential age is a testament to both the improved health and lifespan of modern political figures and a changing electorate willing to entrust the nation's highest office to older candidates. The record set by Donald Trump in 2025 is the new benchmark, but given the recent trend, it may only be a matter of time before it is challenged again by a future generation of octogenarian aspirants.