Top 10 Oldest U.S. Presidents in History

TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - The United States () Constitution paves the way for citizens in their golden ages to take over the highest office in the country, as it only provides the minimum age limit to run as presidents. As a result, there are multiple presidents in U.S. history serving their tenure in the White House. 

While the median age for U.S. presidents at inauguration is 55 years old, the nation’s recent leaders, former President Biden, now 82, and President-elect Donald Trump, now 78, have shown their dominance regardless of their age. 

10 Oldest U.S. Presidents in History 

The US News, CBS News, and Statista mention Joe Biden, Donald Trump, and Ronald Reagan in the list of the oldest U.S. presidents in history, with other names as follows: 

1. Joe Biden - 82 years

After graduating from the University of Delaware and Syracuse Law School, Joe emerged as one of the youngest Americans to be elected to the United States Senate, where he represented Delaware at age 29. After 36 years of devotion, Biden embarked on a new challenge as the 47th Vice President of the United States. 

In 2021, he occupied the White House and commenced an economic recovery, which resulted in more jobs than any other U.S. president has made in four years. As president, Biden was also greatly celebrated for his Inflation Reduction Act, which has been the largest investment in climate action in history. 

2. Donald Trump - 78 years

Donald was addressed as the third oldest U.S. president in history after his first term was concluded in 2020. Upon winning his second term in the 2024 presidential election, Trump became the second oldest president to oversee the White House. 

Having been born into a wealthy family in New York, Donald Trump wasn’t a stranger to formidable connections, ranging from business tycoons to entertainment giants. In June 2015, Donald J. Trump made a public announcement for his presidential candidacy against Democrat’s Hillary Clinton, where he managed to win by 304 votes of the Electoral College. 

3. Ronald Reagan - 77 years 

Much like Trump, Ronald Reagan joined the political scene through the entertainment industry, in which he was known as an actor. His popularity as a president began to soar following a deadly incident that involved an assassination attempt on himself only 69 days after he took the White House. 

During his tenure as the 40th President of the United States, he reinforced the Reagan Revolution, leading America based on the principles of conservatism.

4. Dwight D. Eisenhower - 70 years 

Dwight D. Eisenhower’s heroic status, tracing back to World War I, brought the devoted general to become U.S. president without having political experiences. During his youth, Eisenhower served in various military positions for over 22 years as part of the nation’s first and foremost defense. 

As one of the oldest U.S. presidents in history, Eisenhower won a Republican nomination in 1951 presidential candidacy, owing to his colossal contribution in shaping the country’s military positioning during World War II. 

5. Andrew Jackson - 69 years 

Elected by popular vote to be the seventh President of the United States, Andrew Jackson was considered a national hero upon defeating the British at New Orleans in the War of 1812. Born into a backwoods settlement in the Carolinas in 1767, Jackson was the first man elected from Tennessee to the House of Representatives, where he served in the Senate. 

6. James Buchanan - 69 years 

Aside from being one of the oldest U.S. presidents in history, James Buchanan was the only president who remained unmarried for the rest of his life. As a graduate of Dickinson College, Buchanan was elected five times to the House of Representatives, granting the former president adequate political experience. Serving prior to the American Civil War, James Buchanan retired to his Pennsylvania home in March 1861. 

7. Harry Truman - 68 years 

Harry S. Truman guided the United States through the closing phases of World War II and introduced a 21-point plan aimed at expanding Social Security. Known as the Fair Deal, this program addressed initiatives such as a full-employment strategy, a permanent Fair Employment Practices Act, public housing development, and slum clearance efforts.

8. George H.W Bush - 68 years 

As one of the oldest U.S. presidents in history, George H.W. Bush attended multiple political offices prior to his presidency. Later on, his determination to make the United States “a kinder and gentler nation” quickly garnered the media’s attention, leading to what the public believed was an 89% approval reelection rating, according to Investopedia.

9. William Henry Harrison - 68 years 

William Henry Harrison was the shortest-serving president in U.S. history as he had been in the White House for approximately a month before passing away. On his 32nd day of tenure, he became the nation’s first leader to die in the office after catching a cold that developed into pneumonia. However, his political career had spanned several substantial offices, including the Governor's office of the Indiana Territory for 12 years. 

10. James Monroe - 66 years 

Rounding out the list of the oldest U.S. presidents in history is the country’s fifth president, James Monroe. He was also the last president to serve from the Founding Fathers alliance. Monroe won two terms of presidency during his tenure, the first being the Republican choice in 1816 and the re-election in 1820. 

The list of the oldest U.S. presidents in history reflects the diverse and accomplished leaders who have shaped the country as a giant economy whose influence permeates across the globe. To those history geeks looking for similar knowledge, head to the page that reveals . 

US NEWS | CBS NEWS | STATISTA | WHITEHOUSE.GOV

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