You won’t believe that some people are still in power after clocking 100. Sometimes you wonder how much fun these oldest heads of state still have and where they get the strength to continue to rule. After earning the money and fame that are always the rewards of politics, why don’t they take a break before death knocks on their doors?
The adage that the youth are the leaders of tomorrow is becoming a mere illusion in some countries around the world as the youth sit back and watch their great-grandfathers and mothers refuse to relinquish power. Some of them are leaders for life, while others are just tyrants drunk on power. Be that as it may, one always wonders when the youngsters would have a chance to lead, perhaps when they are as old as their fathers and grandfathers. And that will only be possible when the old lots are out of the way – ousted by death, of course! Here are the 10 oldest presidents in the world who believe they’re capable, even if age means it.
10. Manuel Pinto da Costa – Sao Tome and Principe
Age: 81 years (August 5, 1937)
Manuel Pinto da Costa is a Santoméan-born economist and politician who was the first President of São Tomé and Príncipe from 1975 to 1991. He was re-elected President in August 2011 and took office on September 3, 2011. At 81, he was fourth in our list of the oldest African presidents.
9. Abdelaziz Bouteflika – Algeria
Age: 81 years (March 2, 1937)
Abdelaziz Bouteflika is an Algerian politicianHe was Foreign Minister from 1963 to 1979. As president, he presided over the end of Algeria’s bloody civil war in 2002 and ended the emergency government in February 2011 amid regional unrest. He was also President of the United Nations General Assembly and is now one of the oldest African Presidents.
8. Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud from Saudi Arabia
Age: 83 years (December 31, 1935)
Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud is the King of Saudi Arabia, Guardian of the Two Holy Mosques and Head of the House of Saud. From 1963 to 2011 he was deputy governor and then governor of Riyadh for 48 years. In 2011 he was appointed Secretary of Defense. He was also appointed crown prince in 2012 following the death of his brother Nayef bin Abdulaziz Al Saud. Salman was crowned as the new King of Saudi Arabia on January 23, 2015 after the death of his half-brother King Abdullah.
7.Akihito – Japan
Age: 84 years ( December 23, 1933)
Akihito, 85, ascended the throne after the death of his father Hirohito in 1989. As emperor, his duties are largely ceremonial, consisting primarily of state visits and apologizing to other Asian countries for Japan’s wartime behavior.
6. Paul Biya, Cameroon
Age: 85 years ( February 13, 1933 )
Paul hails from Cameroon and was born on February13, 1933. Politics has always been in Biya’s blood, and he has managed to become President for multiple terms. He has been President of Cameroon since November 6, 1982. At 82, Paul Biya is the third oldest serving president in Africa and also ranks 8th on the list of the ten oldest presidents in the world.
Read: The Last 12 Most Influential African Leaders You Can’t Ignore – #12 will irk you
5. Raul Castro, Cuba
Age: 86 years (June 3, 1931)
Raul Castro, who is 86 years old, was re-elected President on February 24, 2013 and announced shortly thereafter that his second term would be his final term and that he would not seek re-election in 2018.
4. Sabah al-Ahmad al-Jaber al-Sabah, Kuwait
Age: 90 years (June 16, 1929)
Sabah IV Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah GCB is the 15th Ruler and 5th Emir of Kuwait and the Commander in Chief of the Military of Kuwait. He was sworn in on January 29, 2006 after confirmation by the National Assembly of Kuwait.
3. Abdul Halim from Kedah, Malaysia
Age: 90 years (November 28, 1927)
Abdul Halim is the 14th and current Yangdi-Pertuan Agong (Supreme Head of State) of Malaysia and the 27th and current Sultan of Kedah. Previously he was the fifth Yang di-Pertuan Agong from 1970 to 1975. He was the first to hold the position twice and the oldest elected to the post. He is a week older than the world’s longest-reigning monarch, King Bhumibol Adulyadej of Thailand.
2. Beji Caid Essebsi, Tunisia
Age: 91 years (November 29, 1926)
Mohamed Beji Caid Essebsi is a Tunisian politician who has been President of Tunisia since December 2014. Before that he was Foreign Minister from 1981 to 1986 and Prime Minister from February 2011 to December 2011. He is the oldest president in Africa and the third oldest in the world.
1. Queen Elizabeth II, United Kingdom
Age: 91 years (April 21, 1926)
Being a British monarch is a job for life and Queen Elizabeth has been in power since 1952. Many people have voluntarily renounced Her Majesty, but it’s a bet that never pays, no matter how many generations of Windsors wait to gamble.