On November 21, 2024, US President Biden celebrated his 82nd birthday, further solidifying his position as the oldest serving president in American history.
After wrapping up a six-day trip to South America, Biden returned to the White House after 11 p.m. on Tuesday.
There were no public events scheduled for Biden on Wednesday. A White House official told The Hill that the president would be celebrating his 82nd birthday with his family.
First Lady Jill Biden, former President Barack Obama, as well as Biden’s other family members, friends, and colleagues took to social media to extend their birthday wishes to Biden.
Vice President Kamala Harris also posted on social media, saying: “Wishing a very happy birthday to my dear friend, our extraordinary President Joe Biden.”
Biden typically approaches his increasing age with self-deprecating humor.
On his birthday last year, 81-year-old Biden posted on Instagram a photo showing his birthday cake seemingly overwhelmed by a large number of burning candles. In the post, he said, “Thank you all for the birthday wishes today. Turns out when you turn 146, you run out of places to put the candles!”
In July, Biden withdrew from the presidential race following poor performances in the debates, which raised concerns among Democrats that his age could be a disadvantage in seeking re-election.
The previous oldest serving US president was Ronald Reagan, who completed his second term at the age of 77.
Biden’s record as the oldest serving president may not last long. After winning the presidential election again earlier this month, 78-year-old Trump became the oldest elected president in American history. By the end of his second term in 2029, Trump is set to break Biden’s record, becoming the oldest serving president in American history at the age of 82 years and 7 months.