Becoming president of the United States means you’ve become the leader of one of the most powerful nations in the world. You have to make critical decisions and work with people whose views you might not agree with. Because of all these pressures, no person can become president until they’re 35 years old. U.S. presidents must also be naturally born citizens. The Founding Fathers wrote this into the Constitution because they feared someone trying to overtake the nation who wasn’t from the country.
As of 2024, the United States has only had male presidents. There have been presidents in the past who have been in their 40s when they took office. However, most presidents are around 55 when they’re sworn in. The younger the president is, the more they feel like they have to prove themselves to be taken seriously. This is the same with any job.
The youngest president in the United States history was Theodore Roosevelt, becoming elected when he turned 42. Taking control and being successful as president of anything is impressive. That’s why, perhaps, seeing the lives of John F. Kennedy and Barack Obama is inspiring to younger people. For more on the presidents of the past, click here to read about the 12 U.S. Presidents who were generals before taking office.
To compile this list of youngest presidents, 24/7 Tempo consulted several educational sources. These include U.S. News, TheWhiteHouse.gov.
Theodore Roosevelt
- Age at inauguration: 42
- Years as president: 8
As of 2024, President Theodore Roosevelt is the youngest man to become the leader of the United States. He was 42 years old when first day on the job rolled around. Roosevelt was born in New York City in 1858. He went through eight successful years running the United States. After his presidency finished, Roosevelt lived nine more years before passing away at age 60 in a New York City suburb. He died of natural causes.
John F. Kennedy
- Age at inauguration: 43
- Years as president: 2
Few presidents in history have been as interesting as John F. Kennedy. The question “What if?” comes up all the time when thinking about him, his life, and his ethics. When Kennedy was 43 years old, he took office. He helped spearhead the Civil Rights Movement and he was willing to be an open-minded president for the people. Kennedy also had the looks to charm a nation. The world never got to see the full potential of Kennedy, though, as he got murdered on November 22, 1963, in Dallas, Texas.
Bill Clinton
- Age at inauguration: 46
- Years as president: 8
Another polarizing former president of the United States is Bill Clinton. He did a lot of good for the community, but his era is marked by his affair with Monica Lewinsky. Another president of the people, Clinton has been by his wife’s side as she’s been gunning for the position of power during the last few runnings. It’s still unknown whether or not Hillary will get the same seat her husband once occupied, though.
Ulysses S. Grant
- Age at inauguration: 46
- Years as president: 8
As a former military officer, Ulysses S. Grant was first sworn into office at the age of 46. His presidency followed Andrew Johnson’s, who stepped up after Abraham Lincoln got murdered. The United States was curious to see how Grant followed in the footsteps of the men who freed the slaves. Grant took on the role of America’s president for eight years. With nearly every decision he made, he proved he had the faith of the nation behind him. He lived for an additional eight years before passing away in Wilton, New York.
Barack Obama
- Age at inauguration: 47
- Years as president: 8
President Barack Obama was a trailblazer. When elected, he was the first African-American to be chosen as the leader of the United States. What’s more impressive is he did so at 47 years old. Few presidents have been as heavily scrutinized as Obama. For as many people were excited and happy to see him in office, the same amount wanted to see him fail.
Obama faced the racism and prejudice spewed his way and never missed a beat. He was elected a second term and has stayed in the news as someone people can turn to for political commentary.
Grover Cleveland
- Age at inauguration: 47
- Years as president: 8
The nation realized it wanted Grover Cleveland back years after his first term as president. After his first stint as America’s leader from 1885 to 1889, Cleveland wasn’t re-elected. Rather than sulk in his sorrow, he figured out what to do differently and got himself elected again in 1993.
It all occurred just one term after the people voted him out. His first term started when he turned 47, and his second began at age 55. It just goes to show that what sticking with what you believe in can take you far.
Franklin Pierce
- Age at inauguration: 48
- Years as president: 4
Franklin Pierce was elected to be the 14th President of the United States. Ultimately, he only served one term. One of his biggest downfalls as president was his desire to push slavery further. While this wasn’t an uncommon thought in the early 1800s, it ruffled a lot of anti-slavery groups the wrong way.
These groups went to extreme works to ensure Pierce didn’t get re-elected when the time came. Their efforts proved to be worthwhile, as Pierce’s lifespan as president lasted only four years. Pierce passed away in New Hampshire 12 years after the end of his run.
James A. Garfield
- Age at inauguration: 49
- Years as president: 0.5
It’s hard to believe six months as president isn’t the shortest presidency in history. James A. Garfield was sworn in back in 1881, but got shot in July that same year. While he didn’t die right away, Garfield passed away in September 1881. His death is often overshadowed by Abraham Lincoln’s, but make no mistake about it. President Garfield did his best to leave his mark on history during his run as leader.
James K. Polk
- Age at inauguration: 49
- Years as president: 4
One of the people President Andrew Jackson mentored was James K. Polk. He took leadership advice Jackson gave him, which helped him land the presidency at age 49. Polk, who like Jackson grew up Tennessee, didn’t have as long of a run as Jackson did in office. During his run, Polk won the Mexican-American war which helped the United States get the Republic of Texas and Oregon Territories as part of the power. Polk lasted one term as leader, though.
Millard Fillmore
- Age at inauguration: 50
- Years as president: 3
The youngest person to take control of the United States after the death of a president is Millard Fillmore. Zachary Taylor passed away in 1850, which is why Fillmore only lasted for three years in charge. Prior to that, he was part of the House of Representatives, speaking on behalf of people from New York State. Fillmore was also known for being one of the last members of the Whig Party, a third party around in the United States during the 1800s.
John Tyler
- Age at inauguration: 51
- Years as president: 4
Another leader to take control after the death of a president is John Tyler. He came into power after William Henry Harrison passed away a month into his role. Harrison was the first president to die in office, and while many people figured Tyler stepped up to take control, there was uncertainty surrounding it. Tyler went on to stay in office for almost the full four year term. He was not re-elected in the 1852 election.
Calvin Coolidge
- Age at inauguration: 51
- Years as president: 5
President Calvin Coolidge was forced into office when President William Harding passed away. Coolidge was tasked with the incredibly tough feat of taking over when an election was about to happen. Handling the tricky scenario with grace and ease helped him win the presidency. Naturally, this is why he graced the office for five years. Coolidge lived for three more years after exiting the White House when his run finished. He died at age 60.
Franklin D. Roosevelt
- Age at inauguration: 51
- Years as president: 12
The longest tenured president in United States history is Franklin D. Roosevelt. He was elected three times, dying in office after his twelfth year. He showed no signs of a desire to leave office, either. The people were fine with this, as they kept electing him over and over again.
After Roosevelt died, a new law got passed that said no person can be president longer than 10 years. The reason 10 was chosen was in case of a death, and a vice-president had to step up. Historians will study the presidential term of Roosevelt forever in attempts to figure out what exactly he did to woo the nation.
William Howard Taft
- Age at inauguration: 51
- Years as president: 4
As of 2024, the only person to hold the title of chief of justice and president of the United States is William Howard Taft. He was president for only one term, after which he went back and taught law at Yale Law School. That’s where he went to study. Taft struggled with his health and diet for the large bulk of his adult life, and he’s been measured as the heaviest president in the United States. The stresses of being both chief of justice and president were hard on him, which is understandable, to say the least.
Chester A. Arthur
- Age at inauguration: 51
- Years as president: 4
During his term in office, President Garfield got shot. His death meant it was time for Chester Arthur to step up and do what needed to be done. Arthur, a high ranking official in the New York Militia during the Civil War, and was often praised by Ulysses S. Grant. He also a practiced law in New York City, giving him the true idea of how to lead a nation he cared about. While President Arthur served out the one term, he’s known for stepping up in the face of adversity.
Abraham Lincoln
- Age at inauguration: 52
- Years as president: 4
One of the most important figures in modern history is Abraham Lincoln. He had the courage to do what was right by freeing the people who were enslaved. Lincoln knew what he did was going to ruffle some feathers and put a target on his back. The story of Lincoln is known, he was murdered by John Wilkes Booth at the Ford Theater in Washington D.C.
Without Lincoln having the faith in himself to change history, who knows where society would be today. It’s one of the reasons he has a monument dedicated to just him in Washington D.C.
Jimmy Carter
- Age at inauguration: 52
- Years as president: 4
As of 2024, the oldest surviving president in history is Jimmy Carter. He was elected at 52 years old, and remained America’s leader for one term. However, Carter handled many things during these four years in charge. One of the most important things he did was pardon those who chose against fighting in the Vietnam War.
At the time, that war was controversial, and plenty of young men decided it wasn’t for them. They got in trouble if they were drafted to fight and didn’t show up. President Carter made sure they weren’t in trouble when he got elected. It appears he’s about to become the first former president to reach 100 years in age. He will turn 100 on October 1, 2024.
William McKinley
- Age at inauguration: 54
- Years as president: 4
Another president with an untimely death is William McKinley. President McKinley got murdered in 1901, four years after getting into office. He had a successful presidency, as he helped acquire Hawaii, Puerto Rico, and Cuba a the time. The country was going through tough economic times, which President McKinley helped get out of. McKinley was shot by Leon Czolgosz, who heard a speech from someone named Emma Goldman. She pushed an agenda of revolting during this time, which Czolgosz took too far.
Martin Van Buren
- Age at inauguration: 54
- Years as president: 4
One of the earliest presidents in the history of the United States is Martin Van Buren. He was elected as the eighth president of the United States, being 54 at that time. Van Buren was known for his stance in the anti-slavery movement later in his life. He was one of the older people in this movement, which helped it gain more and more traction. While he only served four years as president, Van Buren left a mark on history he could be proud of when he passed away.
Rutherford B. Hayes
- Age at inauguration: 54
- Years as president: 4
One of the men at the front of the Union Army during the Civil War was Rutherford B. Hayes. He was a huge believer in using gold to value the nation’s currency. There used to be a point in time where people wanted to get away with this. While these days it’s not used as much anymore, this was a radical idea during the late 1800s when Hayes led the nation.
He also needed to deal with the Railroad Strike of 1877, almost immediately after he got into office. Hayes only held office for one term, but he accomplished a great deal in that timeframe.
George W. Bush
- Age at inauguration: 54
- Years as president: 8
Serving as president when the internet was first taking off is what George W. Bush dealt with. Right when Bush got into office the tragic events of 9/11 happened as well. Bush is remembered for walking out to the mound during the 2001 World Series between the Yankees and Diamondbacks. He was advised not to do that since the attack were so recent.
Bush did it anyway, and threw a pitch right down the middle. Th moment isn’t just iconic in sports history, but the history of the United States. Bush is still around today, and has a good relationship with the Obamas.
Herbert Hoover
- Age at inauguration: 54
- Years as president: 4
There weren’t many worse times to be president than when Herbert Hoover was in office. He came into power as a wealthy man, but he was in charge when the Great Depression started. The people needed to take their blame out on someone, and that person ended up being President Hoover.
That’s why he got the boot after one term. Hoover still ran for a second term, feeling as though he got wrongfully blamed for the circumstances the country faced after he left. He wasn’t re-elected, despite his efforts.
Lyndon B. Johnson
- Age at inauguration: 55
- Years as president: 6
The story of Lyndon B. Johnson’s swearing into presidency is known around the world. The pictures of him taking office on Air Force One following the murder of John F. Kennedy are etched in time. Johnson took control of the country, and the people followed him.
The graphic depiction of what happened to the former leader gave Johnson a soft spot in the eyes of the people. He ran for office a second time after his first two years were finished, which he won. For more on the presidents of the United States, click here to read about the 31 presidents who served in the military.