Throughout American history, the office of Vice President has been filled by individuals of varying ages and backgrounds. While many Vice Presidents have been seasoned politicians in their later years, others have assumed the role at remarkably young ages.
Let’s look at the ten youngest individuals to hold the second-highest office in the United States, examining their backgrounds, accomplishments, and lasting impacts on American politics.
| Name | Dtae of Birth | Assumed To Office | Age when Assumed To Office |
|---|---|---|---|
| Charles Curtis | January 25, 1860 | 69 Years | 1929 |
| Thomas R. Marshall | March 14, 1854 | 53 Years | 1913 |
| Al Gore | March 31, 1948 | 44 Years | 1993 |
| Theodore Roosevelt | October 27, 1858 | 42 Years | 1901 |
| John C. Calhoun | March 18, 1782 | 42 Years | 1825 |
| Dan Quayle | February 4, 1947 | 41 Years | 1989 |
| J.D. Vance | August 2, 1984 | 40 years | 2025 |
| Aaron Burr | February 6, 1756 | 40 Years | 1801 |
| Richard Nixon | January 9, 1913 | 40 Years | 1953 |
| John C. Breckinridge | January 21, 1821 | 36 Years | 1857 |
10. John C. Breckinridge
Dtae of Birth: January 21, 1821
Current Age: Deceased on May 17, 1875
Age when Assumed To Office: 36 Years
Assumed To Office: 1857
John C. Breckinridge holds the distinction of being the youngest Vice President in American history, assuming office in 1857 at just 36 years old. Born in Kentucky in 1821, Breckinridge practiced law before entering politics and served as a U.S. Representative from Kentucky prior to his vice-presidential term under President James Buchanan.
Breckinridge’s youth brought fresh perspectives to the office, though his tenure was marked by the growing sectional tensions that would eventually lead to the Civil War. After his vice presidency, Breckinridge’s path took a controversial turn when he joined the Confederate Army as a general. This decision made him the only former Vice President to be branded a traitor to the United States, though he was later pardoned posthumously.
Curious about today’s young leaders? Check out our spotlight on some of the youngest members currently serving in Congress.
9. Richard Nixon
Dtae of Birth: January 9, 1913
Current Age: Deceased on April 22, 1994
Age when Assumed To Office: 40 Years
Assumed To Office: 1953
Long before his controversial presidency, Richard Nixon served as Vice President under Dwight D. Eisenhower, taking office in 1953 at age 40. Born in California in 1913, Nixon’s early career included naval service during World War II and terms as both a U.S. Representative and Senator.
As Vice President, Nixon played a significant role in Cold War diplomacy, including his famous “Kitchen Debate” with Soviet leader Nikita Khrushchev. His relative youth brought energy to the administration, though his relationship with Eisenhower was sometimes strained. Nixon’s vice presidency served as a crucial stepping stone to his later presidency, which would end in his resignation due to the Watergate scandal in 1974.
8. Aaron Burr
Dtae of Birth: February 6, 1756
Current Age: Deceased on September 14, 1836
Age when Assumed To Office: 40 Years
Assumed To Office: 1801
Aaron Burr took office as Vice President in 1801 at age 40 under President Thomas Jefferson. Born in New Jersey in 1756, Burr was a Revolutionary War veteran who later served as a U.S. Senator from New York before becoming Vice President.
Burr’s vice presidency was defined by political rivalry and intrigue. His most infamous action came in 1804 when he fatally shot Alexander Hamilton in a duel, forever altering his legacy. Following his term as Vice President, Burr became embroiled in controversial western adventures that led to his trial for treason—though he was ultimately acquitted. His complex life story represents one of the most dramatic rises and falls in American political history.
7. J.D. Vance
Dtae of Birth: August 2, 1984
Current Age: 40 years
Age when Assumed To Office: 40Years
Assumed To Office:2025
J.D. Vance became Vice President in January 2025 at age 40, representing a new generation of political leadership. Born in Ohio in 1984, Vance first gained national attention as the author of “Hillbilly Elegy,” a memoir about growing up in the Rust Belt that explored issues of poverty and social mobility.
Before becoming Vice President, Vance worked as a venture capitalist and served as a U.S. Senator from Ohio. His vice presidency has focused on economic revitalization and addressing the concerns of working-class Americans. As one of the youngest Vice Presidents, Vance brings perspectives shaped by more recent American experiences to the Trump administration’s second term.
6. Dan Quayle
Dtae of Birth: February 4, 1947
Current Age: 78 years
Age when Assumed To Office: 41 Years
Assumed To Office:1989
Dan Quayle assumed the vice presidency under George H.W. Bush in 1989 at age 41. Born in Indiana in 1947, Quayle worked as a lawyer and journalist before entering politics and serving as a U.S. Senator from Indiana.
His relative youth brought fresh energy to the administration, though Quayle faced significant criticism throughout his tenure, particularly regarding public gaffes and perceived inexperience. As Vice President, he focused on space policy and military affairs. Despite the criticisms, Quayle contributed to Bush administration policies and helped shape the Republican Party’s direction in the post-Reagan era.
5. John C. Calhoun
Dtae of Birth: March 18, 1782
Current Age: Deceased on March 31, 1850
Age when Assumed To Office: 42 Years
Assumed To Office: 1825
John C. Calhoun took office as Vice President in 1825 at age 42, serving under President John Quincy Adams and later under Andrew Jackson. Born in South Carolina in 1782, Calhoun was an influential political theorist who had previously served as Secretary of War and as a U.S. Representative.
As Vice President, Calhoun became a strong advocate for states’ rights and played a key role in the nullification crisis of the early 1830s. His political philosophy had lasting impacts on American federalism debates. Notably, Calhoun is one of only two individuals to serve as Vice President under two different Presidents, demonstrating his political significance despite his relatively young age when first taking office.
4. Theodore Roosevelt
Dtae of Birth: October 27, 1858
Current Age: Deceased on January 6, 1919
Age when Assumed To Office: 42 Years
Assumed To Office: 1901
Theodore Roosevelt became Vice President in March 1901 at age 42, serving under President William McKinley. Born to a wealthy New York family in 1858, Roosevelt had already built an impressive resume as Assistant Secretary of the Navy and Governor of New York.
Roosevelt’s vice presidency was remarkably brief—just six months before McKinley’s assassination elevated him to the presidency. As the youngest person to ever assume the presidency, Roosevelt brought youthful vigor to the office, championing progressive reforms, trust-busting initiatives, and conservation efforts. His dynamic personality and policies transformed the presidency and cemented his place as one of America’s most consequential leaders.
3. Al Gore
Dtae of Birth: March 31, 1948
Current Age: 77 years
Age when Assumed To Office: 44 Years
Assumed To Office: 1993
Al Gore became Vice President under Bill Clinton in 1993 at age 44. Born in Washington, D.C. in 1948 as the son of U.S. Senator Albert Gore Sr., he served as both a U.S. Representative and Senator from Tennessee before his vice presidency.
Gore’s vice presidency was characterized by his policy expertise and significant role in the Clinton administration’s decisions. He championed environmental causes and technological innovation, helping to position the internet and digital communications as central to America’s future. His post-vice presidential career as an environmental activist, culminating in a Nobel Peace Prize, further built upon initiatives he began while in office.
2. Thomas R. Marshall
Dtae of Birth: March 14, 1854
Current Age: Deceased on June 1, 1925
Age when Assumed To Office: 53 Years
Assumed To Office: 1913
Thomas Riley Marshall assumed the vice presidency under Woodrow Wilson in 1913 at age 58. Born in Indiana in 1854, Marshall practiced law before entering politics and serving as Governor of Indiana, where he implemented progressive policies.
Despite being significantly older than many others on this list, Marshall represents an important transition point in the history of the vice presidency. He is best remembered for his wit and famous quote, “What this country needs is a really good five-cent cigar.” Though Marshall played a limited role in Wilson’s administration, his tenure coincided with the dramatic changes brought by World War I and the progressive era.
1. Charles Curtis
Dtae of Birth: January 25, 1860
Current Age: Deceased on February 8, 1936
Age when Assumed To Office: 69 Years
Assumed To Office: 1929
Charles Curtis became Vice President under Herbert Hoover in 1929 at age 69, making him the oldest person on this list. Born in Kansas in 1860, Curtis was of Native American descent and a member of the Kaw Nation, making him the first person with Native American heritage to serve as Vice President.
Prior to his vice presidency, Curtis served as both a U.S. Senator and House Representative from Kansas. His tenure as Vice President coincided with the beginning of the Great Depression, during which he advocated for Native American rights and supported economic policies aimed at recovery. His life journey from the Kaw Reservation to the vice presidency represents a remarkable American story.
If you’re interested in how leadership has evolved over time, you might also enjoy our look at some of the earliest-established states in the U.S., exploring their unique histories and contributions to the nation’s foundation.
Conclusion
These Vice Presidents in American history represent diverse backgrounds, ideologies, and historical contexts. From one’s controversial career to the other’s energetic leadership, their unique individuality demonstrates the varying impacts Vice Presidents can have on American governance.
Their stories remind us that age is just one factor in a leader’s effectiveness, with personal conviction, political skill, and historical circumstance playing equally important roles in shaping their legacies.
