Top 10 Youngest U.S. Presidents: Ranked by Age at Inauguration
10. Millard Fillmore
- Age at Inauguration: 50 years, 6 months
- Millard Fillmore became president after the death of Zachary Taylor in 1850. His administration faced challenges related to the Compromise of 1850 and escalating tensions over slavery.
9. James K. Polk
- Age at Inauguration: 49 years, 4 months
- James K. Polk, elected in 1845, expanded U.S. territory significantly during his presidency, including acquiring California and New Mexico through the Mexican-American War.
7. Franklin Pierce
- Age at Inauguration: 48 years, 3 months
- Franklin Pierce, the 14th president, served from 1853 to 1857. His presidency was marked by challenges stemming from sectional tensions over slavery.
6. Grover Cleveland
- Age at Inauguration: 47 years, 11 months
- Grover Cleveland first took office in 1885, known for his reform-minded policies and efforts to curb corruption. He remains the only U.S. president to serve two nonconsecutive terms.
5. Barack Obama
- Age at Inauguration: 47 years, 5 months
- Barack Obama, the first African American president, was inaugurated in 2009. His tenure included landmark achievements such as the Affordable Care Act and the legalization of same-sex marriage nationwide.
4. Ulysses S. Grant
- Age at Inauguration: 46 years, 10 months
- Ulysses S. Grant, a Civil War hero, became president in 1869. Though his administration faced scandals, he is remembered for efforts to stabilize post-Civil War America and protect the rights of freed slaves.
3. Bill Clinton
- Age at Inauguration: 46 years, 5 months
- Bill Clinton, the 42nd president, brought a youthful energy to the White House in 1993. His presidency oversaw economic prosperity, welfare reform, and the North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA).
2. John F. Kennedy
- Age at Inauguration: 43 years, 7 months
- John F. Kennedy became the youngest president elected to office in 1961. Known for his charisma and ambitious vision, his presidency included the Bay of Pigs invasion, the Cuban Missile Crisis, and the initiation of the Apollo space program.
The United States has seen a variety of leaders, some of whom took office at remarkably young ages. These presidents brought energy and fresh perspectives to the Oval Office. Here’s a look at the 10 youngest presidents in U.S. history, ranked by their age at inauguration.
1. Theodore Roosevelt
- Age at Inauguration: 42 years, 10 months
- Theodore Roosevelt holds the distinction of being the youngest president in U.S. history. He assumed office after President William McKinley was assassinated in 1901. Known for his innovative and vigorous leadership style, Roosevelt left a lasting legacy, including the construction of the Panama Canal and his conservation efforts.
