List of prime ministers of the United Kingdom by age - wikipedia List of prime ministers of the United Kingdom by age This is a list of Prime Ministers of the United Kingdom by age. This table can be sorted to display prime ministers of the United Kingdom by name, order of office, date of birth, age at appointment, length of retirement, or lifespan. Age at appointment is determined by the day a prime minister assumed office for the first time. Length of retirement is determined from the day a prime minister leaves office for the final time until their death. Two measures of longevity are given ; this is to allow for the differing number of leap days occurring within the life of each Prime Minister. The first figure is the number of days between date of birth and date of death, allowing for leap days ; in parentheses the same period given in years and days, with the number of whole years that the Prime Minister had lived, and the days being the remaining number of days from their last birthday. Where the prime minister in question is still living, their longevity is measured up to 29 August 2018. Contents 1 Overview 2 List of prime ministers 3 Oldest living prime ministers of the United Kingdom 4 See also Overview The median age upon accession to the premiership is 53 years and 87 days, which falls between Earl of Derby ( 23rd ) and Margaret Thatcher ( 24th ). The youngest Prime Minister to assume office was William Pitt the Younger ( aged 24 years, and 205 days ). The youngest Prime Minister to leave office was Duke of Grafton ( aged 34 years, and 122 days ). The oldest Prime Minister to assume office for the first time was Viscount Palmerston ( aged 70 years, and 109 days ). The oldest Prime Minister to be appointed overall was William Ewart Gladstone ( aged 82 years, and 230 days ) when he was appointed for the fourth and final time on 15 August 1892. Gladstone was also the oldest Prime Minister to leave office ( aged 84 years and 63 days ) at his final retirement on 2 March 1894. There are currently five living British prime ministers including incumbent Theresa May. The oldest living former Prime Minister is John Major, born 29 March 1943 ( aged 75 years, 153 days ). Gordon Brown is the second oldest, 7 years, and 328 days younger than Major. Brown was born on 20 February 1951 ( aged 67 years, 190 days ). The youngest living former Prime Minister is David Cameron, born 9 October 1966 ( aged 51 years, 324 days ). Tony Blair is the second youngest, 13 years, and 156 days older than Cameron. Blair was born on 6 May 1953 ( aged 65 years, 115 days ). The longest - lived prime minister was James Callaghan, who died on the eve of his 93rd birthday on 26 March 2005. Harold Macmillan was the second longest - lived, 42 days short of Callaghan. The oldest living prime minister, John Major, will tie Macmillan if he lives to 15 February 2036, and tie Callaghan if he lives to 28 March 2036. The second - oldest living prime minister, Gordon Brown, will tie Macmillan if he lives to 8 January 2044, and tie Callaghan if he lives to 19 February 2044. The shortest - lived prime minister was Duke of Devonshire who was 44 years, and 147 days when he died on 2 October 1764. The prime minister with the longest retirement is Duke of Grafton, at 41 years and 45 days. He achieved this record on 1 January 1799, surpassing Earl of Bute, who died 28 years, and 337 days after leaving office. Bute held the record for 7 years. The closest anyone has been to Grafton 's record since was Henry Addington, who left office on 10 May 1804, and died 39 years, and 281 days later on 15 February 1844. Of the four former prime ministers currently alive, John Major has been retired the longest, he left office on 2 May 1997. If he is still alive on 24 June 2038, he will surpass Grafton 's record and become the longest lived prime minister after office. The prime minister with the shortest retirement is Henry Campbell - Bannerman, who died only 15 days after leaving office. Four British prime ministers have lived into their 90s. They are ( in order of birth ) : Winston Churchill ( 1874 -- 1965 ) Harold Macmillan ( 1894 -- 1986 ) Alec Douglas - Home ( 1903 -- 1995 ) James Callaghan ( 1912 -- 2005 ) List of prime ministers indicates the prime minister died in office Order of office Prime Minister Date of birth Date of ( first ) appointment Age at ( first ) appointment End date of ( final ) term Age at leaving office Length of retirement Date of death hide Lifespan Robert Walpole ( 1676 - 08 - 26 ) 26 August 1676 4 April 1721 ( 1721 - 04 - 04 ) 7004162910000000000 ♠ 44 years, 221 days 11 February 1742 ( 1742 - 02 - 11 ) 7004239090000000000 ♠ 65 years, 169 days 7003113100000000000 ♠ 3 years, 35 days ( 1745 - 03 - 18 ) 18 March 1745 7004250400000000000 ♠ 68 years, 204 days ( 25,040 days ) Earl of Wilmington ( 1673 - 01 - 01 ) 1 January 1673 1673 16 February 1742 ( 1742 - 02 - 16 ) 7004250660000000000 ♠ 68 years, 230 days 68 -- 69 years ( 1743 - 07 - 02 ) 2 July 1743 N / A N / A ( 1743 - 07 - 02 ) 2 July 1743 7004255670000000000 ♠ 70 years, 1 day 69 -- 70 years ( 25,577 days ) Henry Pelham ( 1694 - 09 - 25 ) 25 September 1694 27 August 1743 ( 1743 - 08 - 27 ) 7004178670000000000 ♠ 48 years, 336 days 6 March 1754 ( 1754 - 03 - 06 ) N / A N / A ( 1754 - 03 - 06 ) 6 March 1754 7004217110000000000 ♠ 59 years, 162 days ( 21,711 days ) Duke of Newcastle ( 1693 - 07 - 21 ) 21 July 1693 16 March 1754 ( 1754 - 03 - 16 ) 7004221520000000000 ♠ 60 years, 238 days 26 May 1762 ( 1762 - 05 - 26 ) 7004251450000000000 ♠ 68 years, 309 days 7003236700000000000 ♠ 6 years, 175 days ( 1768 - 11 - 17 ) 17 November 1768 7004275120000000000 ♠ 75 years, 119 days ( 27,512 days ) Duke of Devonshire ( 1720 - 05 - 08 ) 8 May 1720 16 November 1756 ( 1756 - 11 - 16 ) 7004133410000000000 ♠ 36 years, 192 days 25 June 1757 ( 1757 - 06 - 25 ) 7004135620000000000 ♠ 37 years, 48 days 7003265600000000000 ♠ 7 years, 99 days ( 1764 - 10 - 02 ) 2 October 1764 7004162180000000000 ♠ 44 years, 147 days ( 16,218 days ) 6 Earl of Bute ( 1713 - 05 - 25 ) 25 May 1713 26 May 1762 ( 1762 - 05 - 26 ) 7004178980000000000 ♠ 49 years, 1 day 8 April 1763 ( 1763 - 04 - 08 ) 7004182150000000000 ♠ 49 years, 318 days 7004105640000000000 ♠ 28 years, 337 days ( 1792 - 03 - 10 ) 10 March 1792 7004287790000000000 ♠ 78 years, 290 days ( 28,779 days ) 7 George Grenville ( 1712 - 10 - 14 ) 14 October 1712 16 April 1763 ( 1763 - 04 - 16 ) 7004184460000000000 ♠ 50 years, 184 days 13 July 1765 ( 1765 - 07 - 13 ) 7004192650000000000 ♠ 52 years, 272 days 7003194900000000000 ♠ 5 years, 123 days ( 1770 - 11 - 13 ) 13 November 1770 7004212140000000000 ♠ 58 years, 30 days ( 21,214 days ) 8 Marquess of Rockingham ( 1730 - 05 - 13 ) 13 May 1730 13 July 1765 ( 1765 - 07 - 13 ) 7004128450000000000 ♠ 35 years, 61 days 1 July 1782 ( 1782 - 07 - 01 ) N / A N / A ( 1782 - 07 - 01 ) 1 July 1782 7004190420000000000 ♠ 52 years, 49 days ( 19,042 days ) 9 William Pitt the Elder ( 1708 - 11 - 15 ) 15 November 1708 30 July 1766 ( 1766 - 07 - 30 ) 7004210760000000000 ♠ 57 years, 257 days 14 October 1768 ( 1768 - 10 - 14 ) 7004218830000000000 ♠ 59 years, 334 days 7003349600000000000 ♠ 9 years, 209 days ( 1778 - 05 - 11 ) 11 May 1778 7004253790000000000 ♠ 69 years, 177 days ( 25,379 days ) 10 Duke of Grafton ( 1735 - 09 - 28 ) 28 September 1735 14 October 1768 ( 1768 - 10 - 14 ) 7004120700000000000 ♠ 33 years, 16 days 28 January 1770 ( 1770 - 01 - 28 ) 7004125410000000000 ♠ 34 years, 122 days 7004150190000000000 ♠ 41 years, 45 days ( 1811 - 03 - 14 ) 14 March 1811 7004275600000000000 ♠ 75 years, 167 days ( 27,560 days ) 11 Lord North ( 1732 - 04 - 13 ) 13 April 1732 28 January 1770 ( 1770 - 01 - 28 ) 7004138040000000000 ♠ 37 years, 290 days 22 March 1782 ( 1782 - 03 - 22 ) 7004182400000000000 ♠ 49 years, 343 days 7003378900000000000 ♠ 10 years, 136 days ( 1792 - 08 - 05 ) 5 August 1792 7004220290000000000 ♠ 60 years, 114 days ( 22,029 days ) 12 Earl of Shelburne ( 1737 - 05 - 02 ) 2 May 1737 4 July 1782 ( 1782 - 07 - 04 ) 7004164990000000000 ♠ 45 years, 63 days 2 April 1783 ( 1783 - 04 - 02 ) 7004167710000000000 ♠ 45 years, 335 days 7003807000000000000 ♠ 22 years, 35 days ( 1805 - 05 - 07 ) 7 May 1805 7004248410000000000 ♠ 68 years, 5 days ( 24,841 days ) 13 Duke of Portland ( 1738 - 04 - 14 ) 14 April 1738 2 April 1783 ( 1783 - 04 - 02 ) 7004164240000000000 ♠ 44 years, 353 days 4 October 1809 ( 1809 - 10 - 04 ) 7004261050000000000 ♠ 71 years, 173 days 7001260000000000000 ♠ 26 days ( 1809 - 10 - 30 ) 30 October 1809 7004261310000000000 ♠ 71 years, 199 days ( 26,131 days ) 14 William Pitt the Younger ( 1759 - 05 - 28 ) 28 May 1759 19 December 1783 ( 1783 - 12 - 19 ) 7003897100000000000 ♠ 24 years, 205 days 23 January 1806 ( 1806 - 01 - 23 ) N / A N / A ( 1806 - 01 - 23 ) 23 January 1806 7004170410000000000 ♠ 46 years, 240 days ( 17,041 days ) 15 Henry Addington ( 1757 - 05 - 30 ) 30 May 1757 17 March 1801 ( 1801 - 03 - 17 ) 7004159960000000000 ♠ 43 years, 291 days 10 May 1804 ( 1804 - 05 - 10 ) 7004171460000000000 ♠ 46 years, 346 days 7004145250000000000 ♠ 39 years, 281 days ( 1844 - 02 - 15 ) 15 February 1844 7004316710000000000 ♠ 86 years, 261 days ( 31,671 days ) 16 William Grenville ( 1759 - 10 - 25 ) 25 October 1759 11 February 1806 ( 1806 - 02 - 11 ) 7004169100000000000 ♠ 46 years, 109 days 31 March 1807 ( 1807 - 03 - 31 ) 7004173230000000000 ♠ 47 years, 157 days 7003978400000000000 ♠ 26 years, 287 days ( 1834 - 01 - 12 ) 12 January 1834 7004271070000000000 ♠ 74 years, 79 days ( 27,107 days ) 17 Spencer Perceval ( 1762 - 11 - 01 ) 1 November 1762 4 October 1809 ( 1809 - 10 - 04 ) 7004171380000000000 ♠ 46 years, 337 days 11 May 1812 ( 1812 - 05 - 11 ) N / A N / A ( 1812 - 05 - 11 ) 11 May 1812 7004180880000000000 ♠ 49 years, 192 days ( 18,078 days ) 18 Earl of Liverpool ( 1770 - 06 - 07 ) 7 June 1770 8 June 1812 ( 1812 - 06 - 08 ) 7004153410000000000 ♠ 42 years, 1 day 9 April 1827 ( 1827 - 04 - 09 ) 7004207590000000000 ♠ 56 years, 306 days 7002605000000000000 ♠ 1 year, 239 days ( 1828 - 12 - 04 ) 4 December 1828 7004213640000000000 ♠ 58 years, 180 days ( 21,364 days ) 19 George Canning ( 1770 - 04 - 11 ) 11 April 1770 10 April 1827 ( 1827 - 04 - 10 ) 7004208170000000000 ♠ 56 years, 364 days 8 August 1827 ( 1827 - 08 - 08 ) N / A N / A ( 1827 - 08 - 08 ) 8 August 1827 7004209370000000000 ♠ 57 years, 119 days ( 20,937 days ) 20 Viscount Goderich ( 1782 - 11 - 01 ) 1 November 1782 31 August 1827 ( 1827 - 08 - 31 ) 7004163730000000000 ♠ 44 years, 303 days 21 January 1828 ( 1828 - 01 - 21 ) 7004165160000000000 ♠ 45 years, 81 days 7004113300000000000 ♠ 31 years, 7 days ( 1859 - 01 - 28 ) 28 January 1859 7004278460000000000 ♠ 76 years, 88 days ( 27,846 days ) 21 Duke of Wellington ( 1769 - 05 - 01 ) 1 May 1769 22 January 1828 ( 1828 - 01 - 22 ) 7004214490000000000 ♠ 58 years, 266 days 10 December 1834 ( 1834 - 12 - 10 ) 7004239630000000000 ♠ 65 years, 223 days 7003648800000000000 ♠ 17 years, 279 days ( 1852 - 09 - 14 ) 14 September 1852 7004304510000000000 ♠ 83 years, 136 days ( 30,451 days ) 22 Earl Grey ( 1764 - 03 - 13 ) 13 March 1764 22 November 1830 ( 1830 - 11 - 22 ) 7004243590000000000 ♠ 66 years, 254 days 9 July 1834 ( 1834 - 07 - 09 ) 7004256840000000000 ♠ 70 years, 118 days 7003402600000000000 ♠ 11 years, 8 days ( 1845 - 07 - 17 ) 17 July 1845 7004297100000000000 ♠ 81 years, 126 days ( 29,710 days ) 23 Viscount Melbourne ( 1779 - 03 - 15 ) 15 March 1779 16 July 1834 ( 1834 - 07 - 16 ) 7004202110000000000 ♠ 55 years, 123 days 30 August 1841 ( 1841 - 08 - 30 ) 7004228130000000000 ♠ 62 years, 168 days 7003264300000000000 ♠ 7 years, 86 days ( 1848 - 11 - 24 ) 24 November 1848 7004254560000000000 ♠ 69 years, 254 days ( 25,456 days ) 24 Robert Peel ( 1788 - 02 - 05 ) 5 February 1788 10 December 1834 ( 1834 - 12 - 10 ) 7004171090000000000 ♠ 46 years, 308 days 29 June 1846 ( 1846 - 06 - 29 ) 7004213280000000000 ♠ 58 years, 144 days 7003146400000000000 ♠ 4 years, 3 days ( 1850 - 07 - 02 ) 2 July 1850 7004227920000000000 ♠ 62 years, 147 days ( 22,792 days ) 25 Lord John Russell ( 1792 - 08 - 18 ) 18 August 1792 30 June 1846 ( 1846 - 06 - 30 ) 7004196730000000000 ♠ 53 years, 316 days 26 June 1866 ( 1866 - 06 - 26 ) 7004269740000000000 ♠ 73 years, 312 days 7003435400000000000 ♠ 11 years, 336 days ( 1878 - 05 - 28 ) 28 May 1878 7004313280000000000 ♠ 85 years, 283 days ( 31,328 days ) 26 Earl of Derby ( 1799 - 03 - 29 ) 29 March 1799 23 February 1852 ( 1852 - 02 - 23 ) 7004193230000000000 ♠ 52 years, 331 days 25 February 1868 ( 1868 - 02 - 25 ) 7004251690000000000 ♠ 68 years, 333 days 7002606000000000000 ♠ 1 year, 240 days ( 1869 - 10 - 23 ) 23 October 1869 7004257750000000000 ♠ 70 years, 208 days ( 25,775 days ) 27 Earl of Aberdeen ( 1784 - 01 - 28 ) 28 January 1784 19 December 1852 ( 1852 - 12 - 19 ) 7004251620000000000 ♠ 68 years, 326 days 30 January 1855 ( 1855 - 01 - 30 ) 7004259340000000000 ♠ 71 years, 2 days 7003214500000000000 ♠ 5 years, 319 days ( 1860 - 12 - 14 ) 14 December 1860 7004280790000000000 ♠ 76 years, 321 days ( 28,079 days ) 28 Viscount Palmerston ( 1784 - 10 - 20 ) 20 October 1784 6 February 1855 ( 1855 - 02 - 06 ) 7004256750000000000 ♠ 70 years, 109 days 18 October 1865 ( 1865 - 10 - 18 ) N / A N / A ( 1865 - 10 - 18 ) 18 October 1865 7004295820000000000 ♠ 80 years, 363 days ( 29,582 days ) 29 Benjamin Disraeli ( 1804 - 12 - 21 ) 21 December 1804 27 February 1868 ( 1868 - 02 - 27 ) 7004230780000000000 ♠ 63 years, 68 days 21 April 1880 ( 1880 - 04 - 21 ) 7004275150000000000 ♠ 75 years, 122 days 7002363000000000000 ♠ 363 days ( 1881 - 04 - 19 ) 19 April 1881 7004278780000000000 ♠ 76 years, 119 days ( 27,878 days ) 30 William Ewart Gladstone ( 1809 - 12 - 29 ) 29 December 1809 3 December 1868 ( 1868 - 12 - 03 ) 7004215240000000000 ♠ 58 years, 340 days 2 March 1894 ( 1894 - 03 - 02 ) 7004307440000000000 ♠ 84 years, 63 days 7003153900000000000 ♠ 4 years, 78 days ( 1898 - 05 - 19 ) 19 May 1898 7004322830000000000 ♠ 88 years, 141 days ( 32,283 days ) 31 Marquess of Salisbury ( 1830 - 02 - 03 ) 3 February 1830 23 June 1885 ( 1885 - 06 - 23 ) 7004202290000000000 ♠ 55 years, 140 days 11 July 1902 ( 1902 - 07 - 11 ) 7004264550000000000 ♠ 72 years, 158 days 7002407000000000000 ♠ 1 year, 42 days ( 1903 - 08 - 22 ) 22 August 1903 7004268620000000000 ♠ 73 years, 200 days ( 26,862 days ) 32 Earl of Rosebery ( 1847 - 05 - 07 ) 7 May 1847 5 March 1894 ( 1894 - 03 - 05 ) 7004171040000000000 ♠ 46 years, 302 days 22 June 1895 ( 1895 - 06 - 22 ) 7004175780000000000 ♠ 48 years, 46 days 7004123860000000000 ♠ 33 years, 333 days ( 1929 - 05 - 21 ) 21 May 1929 7004299640000000000 ♠ 82 years, 14 days ( 29,964 days ) 33 Arthur Balfour ( 1848 - 07 - 25 ) 25 July 1848 11 July 1902 ( 1902 - 07 - 11 ) 7004197080000000000 ♠ 53 years, 351 days 5 December 1905 ( 1905 - 12 - 05 ) 7004209510000000000 ♠ 57 years, 133 days 7003887000000000000 ♠ 24 years, 104 days ( 1930 - 03 - 19 ) 19 March 1930 7004298210000000000 ♠ 81 years, 237 days ( 34,204 days ) 34 Henry Campbell - Bannerman ( 1836 - 09 - 07 ) 7 September 1836 5 December 1905 ( 1905 - 12 - 05 ) 7004252900000000000 ♠ 69 years, 89 days 7 April 1908 ( 1908 - 04 - 07 ) 7004261440000000000 ♠ 71 years, 213 days 7001150000000000000 ♠ 15 days ( 1908 - 04 - 22 ) 22 April 1908 7004261590000000000 ♠ 71 years, 228 days ( 26,159 days ) 35 H.H. Asquith ( 1852 - 09 - 12 ) 12 September 1852 7 April 1908 ( 1908 - 04 - 07 ) 7004202950000000000 ♠ 55 years, 208 days 7 December 1916 ( 1916 - 12 - 07 ) 7004234610000000000 ♠ 64 years, 86 days 7003408700000000000 ♠ 11 years, 70 days ( 1928 - 02 - 15 ) 15 February 1928 7004275480000000000 ♠ 75 years, 156 days ( 27,548 days ) 36 David Lloyd George ( 1863 - 01 - 17 ) 17 January 1863 7 December 1916 ( 1916 - 12 - 07 ) 7004196820000000000 ♠ 53 years, 325 days 22 October 1922 ( 1922 - 10 - 22 ) 7004218270000000000 ♠ 59 years, 278 days 7003819100000000000 ♠ 22 years, 155 days ( 1945 - 03 - 26 ) 26 March 1945 7004300180000000000 ♠ 82 years, 68 days ( 30,018 days ) 37 Bonar Law ( 1858 - 09 - 16 ) 16 September 1858 23 October 1922 ( 1922 - 10 - 23 ) 7004234120000000000 ♠ 64 years, 37 days 20 May 1923 ( 1923 - 05 - 20 ) 7004236210000000000 ♠ 64 years, 246 days 7002163000000000000 ♠ 163 days ( 1923 - 10 - 30 ) 30 October 1923 7004237840000000000 ♠ 65 years, 44 days ( 23,784 days ) 38 Stanley Baldwin ( 1867 - 08 - 03 ) 3 August 1867 23 May 1923 ( 1923 - 05 - 23 ) 7004203810000000000 ♠ 55 years, 293 days 28 May 1937 ( 1937 - 05 - 28 ) 7004255000000000000 ♠ 69 years, 298 days 7003378500000000000 ♠ 10 years, 133 days ( 1947 - 12 - 14 ) 14 December 1947 7004293520000000000 ♠ 80 years, 133 days ( 29,352 days ) 39 Ramsay MacDonald ( 1866 - 10 - 12 ) 12 October 1866 22 January 1924 ( 1924 - 01 - 22 ) 7004209200000000000 ♠ 57 years, 102 days 7 June 1935 ( 1935 - 06 - 07 ) 7004250740000000000 ♠ 68 years, 238 days 7002886000000000000 ♠ 2 years, 155 days ( 1937 - 11 - 09 ) 9 November 1937 7004259600000000000 ♠ 71 years, 28 days ( 25,960 days ) 40 Neville Chamberlain ( 1869 - 03 - 18 ) 18 March 1869 28 May 1937 ( 1937 - 05 - 28 ) 7004249070000000000 ♠ 68 years, 71 days 10 May 1940 ( 1940 - 05 - 10 ) 7004259850000000000 ♠ 71 years, 53 days 7002183000000000000 ♠ 183 days ( 1940 - 11 - 09 ) 9 November 1940 7004261680000000000 ♠ 71 years, 236 days ( 26,168 days ) 41 Winston Churchill ( 1874 - 11 - 30 ) 30 November 1874 10 May 1940 ( 1940 - 05 - 10 ) 7004239020000000000 ♠ 65 years, 162 days 7 April 1955 ( 1955 - 04 - 07 ) 7004293470000000000 ♠ 80 years, 128 days 7003358000000000000 ♠ 9 years, 292 days ( 1965 - 01 - 24 ) 24 January 1965 7004329270000000000 ♠ 90 years, 55 days ( 32,927 days ) 42 Clement Attlee ( 1883 - 01 - 03 ) 3 January 1883 26 July 1945 ( 1945 - 07 - 26 ) 7004228490000000000 ♠ 62 years, 204 days 26 October 1951 ( 1951 - 10 - 26 ) 7004251320000000000 ♠ 68 years, 296 days 7003582600000000000 ♠ 15 years, 347 days ( 1967 - 10 - 08 ) 8 October 1967 7004309580000000000 ♠ 84 years, 278 days ( 30,958 days ) 43 Anthony Eden ( 1897 - 06 - 12 ) 12 June 1897 7 April 1955 ( 1955 - 04 - 07 ) 7004211170000000000 ♠ 57 years, 299 days 10 January 1957 ( 1957 - 01 - 10 ) 7004217610000000000 ♠ 59 years, 212 days 7003730900000000000 ♠ 20 years, 4 days ( 1977 - 01 - 14 ) 14 January 1977 7004290700000000000 ♠ 79 years, 216 days ( 29,070 days ) 44 Harold Macmillan ( 1894 - 02 - 10 ) 10 February 1894 10 January 1957 ( 1957 - 01 - 10 ) 7004229790000000000 ♠ 62 years, 335 days 18 October 1963 ( 1963 - 10 - 18 ) 7004254510000000000 ♠ 69 years, 250 days 7003847300000000000 ♠ 23 years, 72 days ( 1986 - 12 - 29 ) 29 December 1986 7004339240000000000 ♠ 92 years, 322 days ( 33,924 days ) 45 Alec Douglas - Home ( 1903 - 07 - 02 ) 2 July 1903 18 October 1963 ( 1963 - 10 - 18 ) 7004220230000000000 ♠ 60 years, 108 days 16 October 1964 ( 1964 - 10 - 16 ) 7004223870000000000 ♠ 61 years, 106 days 7004113150000000000 ♠ 30 years, 358 days ( 1995 - 10 - 09 ) 9 October 1995 7004337020000000000 ♠ 92 years, 99 days ( 33,702 days ) 46 Harold Wilson ( 1916 - 03 - 11 ) 11 March 1916 16 October 1964 ( 1964 - 10 - 16 ) 7004177510000000000 ♠ 48 years, 219 days 5 April 1976 ( 1976 - 04 - 05 ) 7004219400000000000 ♠ 60 years, 25 days 7003698800000000000 ♠ 19 years, 49 days ( 1995 - 05 - 24 ) 24 May 1995 7004289280000000000 ♠ 79 years, 74 days ( 28,928 days ) 47 Edward Heath ( 1916 - 07 - 09 ) 9 July 1916 19 June 1970 ( 1970 - 06 - 19 ) 7004197030000000000 ♠ 53 years, 345 days 4 March 1974 ( 1974 - 03 - 04 ) 7004210570000000000 ♠ 57 years, 238 days 7004114580000000000 ♠ 31 years, 135 days ( 2005 - 07 - 17 ) 17 July 2005 7004325150000000000 ♠ 89 years, 8 days ( 32,515 days ) 48 James Callaghan ( 1912 - 03 - 27 ) 27 March 1912 5 April 1976 ( 1976 - 04 - 05 ) 7004233850000000000 ♠ 64 years, 9 days 4 May 1979 ( 1979 - 05 - 04 ) 7004245090000000000 ♠ 67 years, 38 days 7003945800000000000 ♠ 25 years, 326 days ( 2005 - 03 - 26 ) 26 March 2005 7004339670000000000 ♠ 92 years, 364 days ( 33,967 days ) 49 Margaret Thatcher ( 1925 - 10 - 13 ) 13 October 1925 4 May 1979 ( 1979 - 05 - 04 ) 7004195610000000000 ♠ 53 years, 203 days 28 November 1990 ( 1990 - 11 - 28 ) 7004237870000000000 ♠ 65 years, 46 days 7003816700000000000 ♠ 22 years, 131 days ( 2013 - 04 - 08 ) 8 April 2013 7004319540000000000 ♠ 87 years, 177 days ( 31,954 days ) 50 John Major ( 1943 - 03 - 29 ) 29 March 1943 28 November 1990 ( 1990 - 11 - 28 ) 7004174110000000000 ♠ 47 years, 244 days 2 May 1997 ( 1997 - 05 - 02 ) 7004197580000000000 ♠ 54 years, 34 days 7003778900000000000 ♠ 21 years, 119 days 7004275470000000000 ♠ 75 years, 153 days ( 27,547 days ) 51 Tony Blair ( 1953 - 05 - 06 ) 6 May 1953 2 May 1997 ( 1997 - 05 - 02 ) 7004160670000000000 ♠ 43 years, 361 days 27 June 2007 ( 2007 - 06 - 27 ) 7004197750000000000 ♠ 54 years, 52 days 7003408100000000000 ♠ 11 years, 63 days 7004238560000000000 ♠ 65 years, 115 days ( 23,856 days ) 52 Gordon Brown ( 1951 - 02 - 20 ) 20 February 1951 27 June 2007 ( 2007 - 06 - 27 ) 7004205810000000000 ♠ 56 years, 127 days 11 May 2010 ( 2010 - 05 - 11 ) 7004216300000000000 ♠ 59 years, 80 days 7003303200000000000 ♠ 8 years, 110 days 7004246620000000000 ♠ 67 years, 190 days ( 24,662 days ) 53 David Cameron ( 1966 - 10 - 09 ) 9 October 1966 11 May 2010 ( 2010 - 05 - 11 ) 7004159200000000000 ♠ 43 years, 214 days 13 July 2016 ( 2016 - 07 - 13 ) 7004181750000000000 ♠ 49 years, 278 days 7002777000000000000 ♠ 2 years, 47 days 7004189520000000000 ♠ 51 years, 324 days ( 18,952 days ) 54 Theresa May ( 1956 - 10 - 01 ) 1 October 1956 13 July 2016 ( 2016 - 07 - 13 ) 7004218350000000000 ♠ 59 years, 286 days Incumbent Incumbent Incumbent 7004226120000000000 ♠ 61 years, 332 days ( 22,612 days ) Order of office Prime Minister Date of birth Date of ( first ) appointment Age at ( first ) appointment End date of ( final ) term Age at leaving office Length of retirement Date of death Lifespan Oldest living prime ministers of the United Kingdom See also : Living Prime Ministers of the United Kingdom Not all prime ministers live to become the oldest of their time. Of the 49 deceased prime ministers, 30 eventually became the oldest of their lifetime, while 19 did not ( including 4 of the 7 prime ministers who died in office, Earl of Wilmington, Henry Pelham, and Viscount Palmerston being the only exceptions ). Henry Addington became the oldest living prime minister when Duke of Grafton died in 1811 and remained so until his death in 1844, for a record of almost 33 years. Edward Heath became the oldest living prime minister after the death of James Callaghan, but he survived Callaghan by only 113 days. On two occasions the oldest living prime minister lost this distinction not by his death, but due to the appointment of a prime minister who was older. Robert Walpole lost this distinction when Earl of Wilmington was appointed, then a year later when Wilmington died in office Walpole regained it again until his own death in 1745 for a total period of 22 years, and 207 days. Earl of Rosebery lost it when Henry Campbell - Bannerman was appointed, but regained it again when Campbell - Bannerman died. Consequently, Rosebery too was the oldest living prime minister twice : first from 1903 to 1905 ( after the death of Lord Salisbury ), and a second time after Campbell - Bannerman 's death in 1908 until his own death in 1929 for a total period of 23 years, and 134 days. Edward Heath was the oldest to acquire this distinction at age 89. Anthony Eden, who was 79 years and 216 days old when he died, was the oldest prime minister to die without also being the oldest prime minister. Harold Wilson who died on 24 May 1995 at 79 years and 74 days old, is the most recent prime minister to die without ever acquiring this distinction. Prime Minister Became oldest living prime minister Ceased to be oldest living prime minister Age at start date Age at end date Duration ( years, days ) Robert Walpole 4 April 1721 11 February 1742 7004162910000000000 ♠ 44 years, 221 days 7004239090000000000 ♠ 65 years, 169 days 7003761800000000000 ♠ 20 years, 313 days Earl of Wilmington 11 February 1742 2 July 1743 69 70 7002506000000000000 ♠ 1 year, 141 days Robert Walpole 2 July 1743 18 March 1745 7004244150000000000 ♠ 66 years, 310 days 7004250400000000000 ♠ 68 years, 204 days 7002625000000000000 ♠ 1 year, 259 days Henry Pelham 18 March 1745 6 March 1754 7004184360000000000 ♠ 50 years, 174 days 7004217110000000000 ♠ 59 years, 162 days 7003327500000000000 ♠ 8 years, 353 days Duke of Newcastle 6 March 1754 17 November 1768 7004221420000000000 ♠ 60 years, 228 days 7004275120000000000 ♠ 75 years, 119 days 7003537000000000000 ♠ 14 years, 256 days William Pitt the Elder 17 November 1768 11 May 1778 7004219170000000000 ♠ 60 years, 2 days 7004253790000000000 ♠ 69 years, 177 days 7003346200000000000 ♠ 9 years, 175 days Earl of Bute 11 May 1778 10 March 1792 7004237270000000000 ♠ 64 years, 351 days 7004287790000000000 ♠ 78 years, 290 days 7003505200000000000 ♠ 13 years, 304 days Lord North 10 March 1792 5 August 1792 7004218810000000000 ♠ 59 years, 332 days 7004220290000000000 ♠ 60 years, 114 days 7002148000000000000 ♠ 148 days Duke of Grafton 5 August 1792 14 March 1811 7004207660000000000 ♠ 56 years, 312 days 7004275600000000000 ♠ 75 years, 167 days 7003679400000000000 ♠ 18 years, 221 days Henry Addington 14 March 1811 15 February 1844 7004196450000000000 ♠ 53 years, 288 days 7004316710000000000 ♠ 86 years, 261 days 7004120260000000000 ♠ 32 years, 338 days Earl Grey 15 February 1844 17 July 1845 7004291920000000000 ♠ 79 years, 339 days 7004297100000000000 ♠ 81 years, 126 days 7002518000000000000 ♠ 1 year, 152 days Duke of Wellington 17 July 1845 14 September 1852 7004278350000000000 ♠ 76 years, 77 days 7004304510000000000 ♠ 83 years, 136 days 7003261600000000000 ♠ 7 years, 59 days Viscount Goderich 14 September 1852 28 January 1859 7004255190000000000 ♠ 69 years, 318 days 7004278460000000000 ♠ 76 years, 88 days 7003232700000000000 ♠ 6 years, 136 days Earl of Aberdeen 28 January 1859 14 December 1860 7004273930000000000 ♠ 75 years, 0 days 7004280790000000000 ♠ 76 years, 321 days 7002686000000000000 ♠ 1 year, 321 days Viscount Palmerston 14 December 1860 18 October 1865 7004278130000000000 ♠ 76 years, 55 days 7004295820000000000 ♠ 80 years, 363 days 7003176900000000000 ♠ 4 years, 308 days Lord John Russell 18 October 1865 28 May 1878 7004267230000000000 ♠ 73 years, 61 days 7004313280000000000 ♠ 85 years, 283 days 7003460500000000000 ♠ 12 years, 222 days Benjamin Disraeli 28 May 1878 19 April 1881 7004268210000000000 ♠ 73 years, 158 days 7004278780000000000 ♠ 76 years, 119 days 7003105700000000000 ♠ 2 years, 326 days William Ewart Gladstone 19 April 1881 19 May 1898 7004260440000000000 ♠ 71 years, 111 days 7004322830000000000 ♠ 88 years, 141 days 7003623900000000000 ♠ 17 years, 30 days Marquess of Salisbury 19 May 1898 22 August 1903 7004249420000000000 ♠ 68 years, 105 days 7004268620000000000 ♠ 73 years, 200 days 7003192000000000000 ♠ 5 years, 95 days Earl of Rosebery 22 August 1903 5 December 1905 7004205600000000000 ♠ 56 years, 107 days 7004213960000000000 ♠ 58 years, 212 days 7002836000000000000 ♠ 2 years, 105 days Henry Campbell - Bannerman 5 December 1905 22 April 1908 7004252900000000000 ♠ 69 years, 89 days 7004261590000000000 ♠ 71 years, 228 days 7002869000000000000 ♠ 2 years, 139 days Earl of Rosebery 22 April 1908 21 May 1929 7004222650000000000 ♠ 60 years, 351 days 7004299640000000000 ♠ 82 years, 14 days 7003769900000000000 ♠ 21 years, 29 days Arthur Balfour 21 May 1929 19 March 1930 7004295190000000000 ♠ 80 years, 300 days 7004298210000000000 ♠ 81 years, 237 days 7002302000000000000 ♠ 302 days David Lloyd George 19 March 1930 26 March 1945 7004245320000000000 ♠ 67 years, 61 days 7004300180000000000 ♠ 82 years, 68 days 7003548600000000000 ♠ 15 years, 7 days Stanley Baldwin 26 March 1945 14 December 1947 7004283590000000000 ♠ 77 years, 235 days 7004293520000000000 ♠ 80 years, 133 days 7002993000000000000 ♠ 2 years, 263 days Winston Churchill 14 December 1947 24 January 1965 7004266760000000000 ♠ 73 years, 14 days 7004329270000000000 ♠ 90 years, 55 days 7003625100000000000 ♠ 17 years, 41 days Clement Attlee 24 January 1965 8 October 1967 7004299710000000000 ♠ 82 years, 21 days 7004309580000000000 ♠ 84 years, 278 days 7002987000000000000 ♠ 2 years, 257 days Harold Macmillan 8 October 1967 29 December 1986 7004269020000000000 ♠ 73 years, 240 days 7004339240000000000 ♠ 92 years, 322 days 7003702200000000000 ♠ 19 years, 82 days Alec Douglas - Home 29 December 1986 9 October 1995 7004304960000000000 ♠ 83 years, 180 days 7004337020000000000 ♠ 92 years, 99 days 7003320600000000000 ♠ 8 years, 284 days James Callaghan 9 October 1995 26 March 2005 7004305110000000000 ♠ 83 years, 196 days 7004339670000000000 ♠ 92 years, 364 days 7003345600000000000 ♠ 9 years, 168 days Edward Heath 26 March 2005 17 July 2005 7004324020000000000 ♠ 88 years, 260 days 7004325150000000000 ♠ 89 years, 8 days 7002113000000000000 ♠ 113 days Margaret Thatcher 17 July 2005 8 April 2013 7004291320000000000 ♠ 79 years, 277 days 7004319540000000000 ♠ 87 years, 177 days 7003282200000000000 ♠ 7 years, 265 days John Major 8 April 2013 Current oldest living prime minister 7004255780000000000 ♠ 70 years, 10 days Current oldest living prime minister 7003196900000000000 ♠ 5 years, 143 days Prime Minister Became oldest living prime minister Ceased to be oldest living prime minister Age at start date Age at end date Duration ( years, days ) See also List of Prime Ministers of the United Kingdom ( graphical ) List of Presidents of the United States by age Lifespan timeline of Presidents of the United States hide Lists relating to Prime Ministers of the United Kingdom List of Prime Ministers of the United Kingdom Lists by order Age Constituencies Cultural depictions Governments votes of no confidence Historical rankings Number living Records Service ( timeline ) Term length Peerages By monarch Victoria Edward VII George V Edward VIII George VI Elizabeth II Personal life Burial places Coats of arms Education Nickname Spouse In fiction Fictional Prime Ministers Retrieved from `` https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=List_of_Prime_Ministers_of_the_United_Kingdom_by_age&oldid=856927240 '' Categories : Lists of Prime Ministers of the United Kingdom Lists of political office - holders by age Hidden categories : Use dmy dates from August 2016 Talk Contents About Wikipedia Add links This page was last edited on 28 August 2018, at 12 : 42 ( UTC ). 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Question: who became prime minister at the age of 47
Answer: John Major