The Youngest Vice President in U.S. History (And 5 Others Who Got There Fast)

Some people spend a lifetime climbing the political ladder. Others get there fast. Really fast. In American history, only one person has ever become vice president before turning 37. That person is still the youngest vice president the country has ever had. Let’s talk about him. Then we’ll look at five others who came close.

Who Is the Youngest Vice President in U.S. History?

John C. Breckinridge became vice president in 1857. He was just 36 years old. That’s the youngest age allowed by the Constitution. He didn’t waste any time. He came from Kentucky. He was smart. He was confident. People saw him as a rising star in the Democratic Party. When James Buchanan ran for president, Breckinridge was picked as his running mate. They won. At 36, Breckinridge became the youngest vice president in U.S. history. No one has broken that record yet.

What Was Breckinridge Like?

Breckinridge had a strong start. People liked him. But things changed. He ran for president in 1860 and lost. Then came the Civil War. He joined the Confederacy. That move changed everything. He even became the Confederate Secretary of War. When the war ended, he left the country for a while. He later came back. But his political career was over. Even with all that, he still holds the title. Youngest VP in American history.

JD Vance – The New Young Face of the Vice Presidency

Now, fast forward to 2025. JD Vance became the 50th vice president of the United States. He was 40 years old. That makes him the youngest VP since Richard Nixon. JD Vance is known for his book Hillbilly Elegy. It made him famous. He grew up in a working-class family in Ohio. He later went to Yale Law School. His life story helped him connect with voters. He became a senator. Then vice president. All before turning 40. That’s fast.

Other Young Vice Presidents Worth Mentioning

Let’s take a quick look at a few other young vice presidents who made it to the top early in life.

Richard Nixon – Age 40

Nixon became vice president in 1953. He was 40. He served under President Dwight Eisenhower. Nixon was known for his tough stance on communism. He was a rising star. He later became president. Then he resigned during the Watergate scandal. But in the early days, he was young, sharp, and moving fast.

Theodore Roosevelt – Age 42

Teddy Roosevelt was 42 when he became VP. That was in 1901. Just months later, President McKinley was shot. Roosevelt became president. He’s still the youngest president in U.S. history. People loved his energy. He spoke straight. He didn’t wait around. He made big changes.

Dan Quayle – Age 41

Dan Quayle became vice president under George H.W. Bush in 1989. He was 41 when he took office. He was often criticized in the media for his public speaking, but behind the scenes, he was known as someone who took his job seriously and worked hard to represent the administration’s views.

Al Gore – Age 44

Al Gore was another young VP, starting his term under Bill Clinton in 1993. While he was 44—not as young as Breckinridge—he brought a modern and environmentally focused voice to the office. He’s perhaps better known for his later presidential run and his work on climate change (An Inconvenient Truth, anyone?), but his time as vice president was full of initiatives on technology and government reform.

Thomas Marshall – Age 48

Marshall isn’t as young as the others on this list, but he’s worth mentioning for one reason—he served under Woodrow Wilson during World War I and played a vital role during Wilson’s illness. While 48 isn’t exactly “young” for a VP in the early 1900s, it was definitely on the younger side. He also had a wit about him that made him memorable. One of his famous quotes? “What this country needs is a good five-cent cigar.”

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Why Do Young Vice Presidents Matter?

It’s not just about age—it’s about energy, ideas, and perspective. Young leaders can connect with voters in a different way. They’re often more in tune with the culture of the moment and sometimes more willing to shake things up. That’s not to say older politicians don’t bring value (they do), but age can shape how someone sees the world. With someone like JD Vance now in office, a lot of people are wondering what this means for the future. Will he run for president next? Will he stay in politics for decades? Too early to tell. But clearly, he’s someone to watch.

Final Thoughts

John C. Breckinridge was just 36 when he took office. That was more than 165 years ago. No one has beaten that record. JD Vance is the newest name on the list. At 39, he joins a small club of young vice presidents. The job isn’t easy. But starting young gives them time. Time to grow. Time to lead. Whether they succeed or not, they all show one thing: sometimes, history moves fast. And sometimes, so do people.