When former vice-president Joe Biden, 76, and Sen. Bernie Sanders, 77, show up at the first Democratic debates on Thursday in Miami, there will be much public discussion about the fact that any of them – as well as President Trump – would be the oldest president in U.S. history. But in other parts of the world, their ages would hardly be an issue.
In Asia, Africa and Latin America, there is a long history of presidents in their late seventies, eighties and even nineties. I interviewed many of them in Latin America while they were in office. While some of them were sharp and active until the end of their terms, others weren’t.
By the November 2020 U.S. election, Sanders will be 79, Biden 77, and Trump 74. The oldest president in U.S. history was Ronald Reagan, who was 73 years and 274 days old when he was elected to a second term.