The Age Barrier Shattered: 5 Oldest U.S. Presidents And The New Record Holder

The question of who is the oldest president of the United States has become one of the most dynamic and frequently updated topics in American political history. As of the current date, December 10, 2025, the record for the oldest person to be inaugurated as U.S. President has been officially broken, highlighting an unprecedented trend of increasing age in the nation's highest office. The title now belongs to a history-making figure who took the oath of office at an age exceeding 78 years.

This article provides the most current and authoritative list of the most senior U.S. leaders, examining the men who have shattered age barriers and the historical context surrounding their presidencies. We will detail the biography of the new record holder, compare the ages of the top contenders, and explore who holds the record for the oldest president to leave the Oval Office.

Donald J. Trump: The New Oldest President at Inauguration

The record for the oldest person to be sworn in as President of the United States now belongs to Donald J. Trump. Upon his second inauguration as the 47th President on January 20, 2025, Trump was 78 years, 7 months, and 6 days old, narrowly eclipsing the previous record. This historic event solidified a new era in presidential politics where candidates in their late 70s are viable and successful.

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Biography and Profile: Donald J. Trump (47th U.S. President)

• Full Name: Donald John Trump
• Date of Birth: June 14, 1946
• Place of Birth: Queens, New York
• Parents: Fred Trump and Mary Anne MacLeod Trump
• Education: Fordham University; University of Pennsylvania (Wharton School)
• Prior Office: 45th President of the United States (2017–2021)
• Age at Second Inauguration (January 20, 2025): 78 years, 7 months, 6 days
• Political Party: Republican
• Spouse: Melania Trump
• Children: Donald Jr., Ivanka, Eric, Tiffany, Barron

Trump’s second term inauguration age is a significant milestone, marking the first time in history that the president has taken office past the age of 78. His first inauguration, on January 20, 2017, already made him one of the oldest at the time, at 70 years and 220 days, a record that was subsequently broken by his successor.

The Top 5 Oldest Presidents at the Moment of Inauguration

The list of the oldest presidents at the time of their inauguration has been drastically reshuffled in the 21st century. Before 2017, the record had stood for nearly four decades, held by Ronald Reagan. Today, the top spots are dominated by the most recent occupants of the Oval Office, reflecting a major shift in the demographic of American leadership.

1. Donald J. Trump (47th President)

Age at Inauguration: 78 years, 7 months, 6 days (January 20, 2025)

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Trump’s second term began with him setting a new historical benchmark. His age at his first inauguration (70 years, 220 days) was a record at the time, only to be surpassed four years later by Joe Biden, and then by himself again in 2025. This makes him the only person to hold the record twice and to break the age 78 barrier.

2. Joe Biden (46th President)

Age at Inauguration: 78 years, 61 days (January 20, 2021)

Joe Biden, a former Vice President and long-serving Senator from Delaware, became the oldest president upon his inauguration in 2021. He was the first president to take office at the age of 78, breaking the record previously held by Ronald Reagan. Although his record for the oldest *at inauguration* was short-lived, Biden still holds another significant age-related record.

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3. Ronald Reagan (40th President)

Age at Inauguration: 69 years, 348 days (January 20, 1981)

The former actor and Governor of California, Ronald Reagan, held the record as the oldest president for nearly 40 years. He was just 17 days shy of his 70th birthday when he was sworn in for his first term. Reagan's presidency, which lasted from 1981 to 1989, ended when he was 77 years old.

4. William Henry Harrison (9th President)

Age at Inauguration: 68 years, 23 days (March 4, 1841)

William Henry Harrison, a military officer and politician, was the oldest president for an astonishing 140 years, from 1841 until Ronald Reagan's inauguration in 1981. His presidency is famous for its brevity; he delivered the longest inaugural address in history and died just 31 days later, making his the shortest presidency on record. His death was the first time a U.S. president died in office.

5. James Buchanan (15th President)

Age at Inauguration: 65 years, 315 days (March 4, 1857)

James Buchanan was the fifth oldest president at his inauguration, taking office just before his 66th birthday. Buchanan is often cited in discussions of the oldest presidents, as his age was considered quite advanced for the time, though he is now far down the list. He served a single term from 1857 to 1861, preceding Abraham Lincoln.

The Oldest President to Leave Office: An Often-Overlooked Record

While the focus is often on the age at inauguration, an equally compelling record is the age at which a president concludes their time in office. This record is currently held by Joe Biden, the 46th President.

Joe Biden: The Oldest to Complete a Term

When Joe Biden's term concluded on January 20, 2025, he was 82 years old. This makes him, by a significant margin, the oldest person to ever complete a presidential term. This figure is a testament to the increasing longevity and political endurance of modern U.S. leaders.

The previous record holder for the oldest president to leave office was Ronald Reagan, who was 77 years and 349 days old when his second term ended in January 1989.

The Age Trend: Why are Presidents Getting Older?

The shift in the age of U.S. presidents is not accidental; it reflects several major societal and political changes. In the 19th century, being in your 60s was genuinely considered "old age," as evidenced by the significance of William Henry Harrison's age in 1841.

• Increased Longevity: Modern medicine and improved standards of living mean that politicians remain active and vigorous much later in life than their historical counterparts.
• Experience as an Asset: In the modern political landscape, decades of experience in the Senate, as a Vice President, or as a Governor are often seen as necessary qualifications, which naturally favors older candidates.
• Political Dynamics: The current political environment often sees former presidents or long-time political figures returning to the national stage, such as the unique situation of the 45th and 47th President.

The average age of a U.S. president at their first inauguration is approximately 55 years old, making the current top five a significant deviation from the historical norm. The focus on age in recent elections has sparked national debates about the physical and mental stamina required for the presidency, a conversation that will undoubtedly continue as the nation moves forward with its most senior leaders to date.

The current record holder, Donald J. Trump, and the oldest to complete a term, Joe Biden, have set new benchmarks that fundamentally change the perception of the age limit for the highest office in the United States. The question now is not who *will* break the record, but by how much the next generation of candidates will push the age ceiling.