10 Youngest Vice President in U.S. History: Is JD Vance on the List?

TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - Upon the inauguration of Donald Trump and JD Vance as the 47th serving leaders of the , did you know that Trump now holds the distinction of being the oldest U.S. President in history?

But the spotlight does not only shine on presidents—some of the individuals who have served as vice presidents have also made their mark on history. Take John C. Breckinridge, for example, who is named the youngest vice president in U.S. history.

Breckinridge is just one name on a long list of influential figures who achieved this high office at an impressively young age.

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

Citing the U.S. News, this article takes you on a closer look at the list of the youngest vice presidents in U.S. history. Read on to learn more about these fascinating individuals.

1. John C. Breckinridge

Age when serving: 36

Taking office at the age of 36, John C. Breckinridge maintains his reputation as the youngest vice president in U.S. history. The 14th vice president served under President James Buchanan from 1857 to 1861. He was also a Confederate officer during the American Civil War.

2. Richard Nixon

Age when serving: 40

At 40 years old, Richard Nixon became the 37th Vice President of the United States under President Dwight D. Eisenhower from 1953 to 1961. Nixon’s career continued to rise, leading him to the presidency in 1969.

3. James David Vance

Age when serving: 40

Making it to the top three, James David Vance is in office from 2025 to 2028 to serve as Trump’s second-term mate. Previously, he served as a Republican senator from Ohio for two years after being elected in 2022.

4. James Danforth Quayle

Age when serving: 41

Serving as Vice President under George H.W. Bush from 1989 to 1993, Dan Quayle was only 41 years old when he took office. He continued to play an important role in political and goodwill missions.

5. Theodore Roosevelt

Age when serving: 42

Theodore Roosevelt was the vice president under McKinley's second term. Roosevelt’s term was short, just about 129 days, as he vaulted to the presidency after the assassination of William McKinley.

6. Daniel D. Tompkins

Age when serving: 42

Daniel D. Tompkins was the nation’s 6th vice president, serving under President James Monroe from 1817 to 1825. Prior to this role, Tompkins was the governor of New York from 1807 to 1817.

7. John C. Calhoun

Age when serving: 42

John C. Calhoun was another of the youngest vice presidents in U.S. history, taking office in 1825 at the age of 42. Serving as Vice President under both John Quincy Adams and Andrew Jackson, Calhoun’s political influence extended far beyond his time in office.

8. Al Gore

Age when serving: 44

From 1993–2001, Al Gore served as Vice President under President Bill Clinton. Widely recognized for his advocacy on climate change, Gore’s name is also closely tied to the 2000 U.S. presidential election—one of the most controversial in American history where he won the national popular vote.

9. Aaron Burr

Age when serving: 45

Aaron Burr, the 3rd Vice President, served under President Thomas Jefferson’s first term from 1801–1805. Burr is perhaps best known for his infamous duel with Alexander Hamilton, the former Secretary of the Treasury and a long-time political rival. 

In 1804, Burr killed Hamilton in a duel, a highly controversial event that led to his arrest for treason in 1807.

10. Schuyler Colfax

Age when serving: 45

Schuyler Colfax served as Vice President under President Ulysses S. Grant from 1869 to 1873. At 45, Colfax was relatively young for the position at the time, and his term was marked by his strong support for Reconstruction and the post-Civil War era.

These vice presidents made history not only because of their contributions to U.S. politics but also because of the early ages at which they took office.

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