Revealed: The Shocking Age Of The Youngest U.S. Vice President Ever (And 5 Close Contenders)

The title of the youngest U.S. Vice President in history belongs to a man from the mid-19th century, a record that has stood for over 160 years. As of December 10, 2025, no one has come close to matching the youthful age of this 14th Vice President, who was a mere 36 years old when he was sworn into office, setting a precedent for young political power that remains unbroken in the modern era.

The individual who holds this remarkable record is John Cabell Breckinridge, who served under President James Buchanan. His inauguration in 1857 at just 36 years and 47 days old highlights a stark contrast to the age of most modern Vice Presidents, making his story a fascinating look into the early political landscape of the United States and the surprising youth of some of its highest-ranking officials.

John C. Breckinridge: The Youngest VP’s Full Biography & Profile

John Cabell Breckinridge (1821–1875) was an American lawyer, politician, and soldier whose career was marked by rapid political ascent and a dramatic fall during the Civil War. His tenure as Vice President was short, but his subsequent actions cemented his place as one of the most controversial figures in American history.

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• Full Name: John Cabell Breckinridge
• Born: January 16, 1821, in Lexington, Kentucky
• Died: May 17, 1875, in Lexington, Kentucky
• Education: Centre College and Transylvania Law School (graduated 1845)
• Political Party: Democratic Party
• Political Offices Held:
  • Member of the Kentucky House of Representatives (1849–1851)
  • U.S. Representative for Kentucky (1851–1855)
  • 14th Vice President of the United States (1857–1861)
  • U.S. Senator for Kentucky (1861)
• Age at Inauguration: 36 years and 47 days
• President Served Under: James Buchanan (1857–1861)
• Post-VP Career: Major General in the Confederate States Army during the Civil War. He also served as the Confederate Secretary of War.

Breckinridge’s political career was a whirlwind. He was elected to the U.S. House of Representatives at age 30 and became the youngest Vice President in U.S. history just six years later. His political life, however, was inextricably tied to the growing tensions over slavery, which ultimately led to his break with the Union. In the divisive 1860 presidential election, Breckinridge ran as the candidate of the Southern Democrats, splitting the Democratic vote and facilitating the election of Abraham Lincoln.

After his term as Vice President, he was elected to the U.S. Senate but resigned to join the Confederate Army, a decision that led to his expulsion from the Senate and a formal charge of treason by the U.S. government. He fled the country after the war, eventually receiving amnesty and returning to Kentucky, where he practiced law until his death.

The Astonishing List of the Youngest U.S. Vice Presidents in History

Breckinridge’s record of 36 years old is an anomaly in the modern political landscape, where most Vice Presidents are in their 50s or 60s upon taking office. For instance, current Vice President Kamala Harris was 56 when she was inaugurated in 2021. The following list highlights the top contenders for the title of the youngest VP, showcasing just how rare true youth is in the Executive Branch.

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1. John C. Breckinridge (Age: 36)

As the undisputed record holder, Breckinridge’s inauguration in 1857 under President James Buchanan marks the pinnacle of youthful political achievement in the Vice Presidency. His short tenure was overshadowed by the impending Civil War, but his age record remains untouched.

2. Richard Nixon (Age: 40)

Richard Milhous Nixon became the second-youngest Vice President when he was inaugurated in 1953 at the age of 40. He served under President Dwight D. Eisenhower and later went on to become the 37th President of the United States. Nixon’s relative youth at the start of his national career is often forgotten due to his later controversial presidency.

3. Aaron Burr (Age: 45)

One of the most infamous figures in American political history, Aaron Burr became the third Vice President of the United States in 1801 at the age of 45. He served under Thomas Jefferson and is famously known for killing his political rival, Alexander Hamilton, in a duel in 1804.

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4. John C. Calhoun (Age: 46)

John Caldwell Calhoun was a prominent political theorist and statesman who served as the seventh Vice President from 1825 to 1832. He was 46 when he began his first term under President John Quincy Adams and continued under Andrew Jackson, making him one of the few VPs to serve two different presidents.

5. George M. Dallas (Age: 52)

George Mifflin Dallas became the 11th Vice President in 1845 at the age of 52, serving under President James K. Polk. While significantly older than Breckinridge, Dallas makes the top five list because the vast majority of Vice Presidents throughout history were older than 50 at their inauguration.

How Does the Youngest VP Compare to the Youngest U.S. President?

The record for the youngest Vice President is a full six years younger than the record for the youngest person to ever become President of the United States. This comparison highlights the historical tendency for the Vice Presidency to be a proving ground for younger, rising political stars.

Theodore Roosevelt: The Youngest President

The youngest person to ever become U.S. President was Theodore "Teddy" Roosevelt. He was not elected to the office initially but ascended to the presidency in 1901 following the assassination of President William McKinley. Roosevelt was 42 years and 322 days old when he took the oath of office.

Although John F. Kennedy is often cited as the youngest *elected* President, taking office at age 43, Theodore Roosevelt holds the all-time record for the youngest person to occupy the Oval Office.

The difference in age between the two record holders—Breckinridge at 36 and Roosevelt at 42—is a significant margin in a national political career. It suggests that while the presidential office has historically required a greater degree of age and experience, the vice presidency has, at times, been a position for younger politicians on a fast track to power.

The modern political discussion, which includes young potential candidates like J.D. Vance, who is in his late 30s, continues to bring the topic of age and experience in the executive branch to the forefront. However, for now, John C. Breckinridge’s 168-year-old record remains a powerful testament to a bygone era of American politics when a politician could reach the second-highest office in the land before their 40th birthday.