International-News

Trump, the oldest man in the USA: here are all the ‘grandfathers’ and ‘granddaughters’ presidents

From the experience of Paul Biya and Sergio Mattarella to the youth of Katrin Jakobsdottir and Gabriel Boric

At the age of 79, which he will turn on 14 June next, Donald Trump has become the oldest US president at the time of taking office. If he completes his second term in January 2029, Trump will also be the oldest person to hold the office, at 82 years and seven months.

A record-breaking age by US standards, but one that, globally, is surpassed by some particularly long-lived leaders.

Long-lived leaders: the case of Paul Biya and Sergio Mattarella

The President of Cameroon, Paul Biya, is the longest serving world leader. Born in 1933, the almost 92-year-old has led the country since 1982. He is followed by Mahmoud Abbas, 89, President of the Palestinian Authority, and Saudi King Salman bin Abdulaziz al Saud, also 89.

In Europe, Sergio Mattarella, at 83, is among the longest-serving leaders. The President of the Italian Republic, who will be re-elected in 2022, comes close to the big names in international politics in terms of experience and longevity in the role.

The younger generation of leaders

Opposing these numbers are leaders belonging to a decidedly younger generation. The 36-year-old Katrin Jakobsdottir, Prime Minister of Iceland, is currently the youngest person in the world to head a government. She is followed by Chilean President Gabriel Boric (38), Saudi Prime Minister Mohammed bin Salman (39) and Syrian interim PM Mohammed al-Bashir (40).

Europe is also distinguished by a certain generational dynamism: Giorgia Meloni, 48, is the youngest G20 leader, while Emmanuel Macron (47) and Volodymyr Zelensky (46) represent the band of middle-aged leaders with growing global influence.

Increasingly diverse leadership

The age of the world’s leaders reflects an increasingly diverse political landscape, with experienced and long-lived figures flanked by young protagonists of change. Between experience and innovation, generations alternate, shaping evolving political scenarios.

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