Bill Clinton’s Age at Election and Inauguration
Bill Clinton was elected president on November 3, 1992, and inaugurated on January 20, 1993, at age 46. He was born on August 19, 1946, making him 46 years old at the time of his inauguration, the standard age referenced for presidents at their formal swearing-in. This verified age at inauguration reflects the culmination of a campaign that began in 1991, following his victory in the 1992 Democratic nomination and a general election defeat of incumbent George H. W. Bush.
Presidential Election and Inauguration Dates
U.S. presidential elections occur on the first Tuesday after the first Monday in November. The winner is formally inaugurated on January 20 following the election, as prescribed by the 20th Amendment. For Bill Clinton, this meant the November 1992 election victory transitioned into office on January 20, 1993. Below is a concise table summarizing the key dates and ages involved.
| Attribute | Verified Detail | Source Type |
|---|---|---|
| Date of Birth | August 19, 1946 | Official biography |
| Election Day | November 3, 1992 | Federal records |
| Inauguration Date | January 20, 1993 | Presidential archives |
| Age at Inauguration | 46 years old | Calculated from dates |
| Term Start | January 20, 1993 | Presidential records |
| Term End | January 20, 2001 | Presidential records |
Context Around Presidential Age at Election
The age at which a president is elected can influence perceptions of experience and energy. Clinton was 46 at inauguration, placing him in the younger cohort of modern presidents at the time. For perspective, the ages at inauguration of several recent predecessors and successors provide useful comparison. This helps readers understand where Clinton falls in the continuum of presidential ages, a common reference point in historical summaries and civic education.
Quick Comparison of Presidential Ages at Inauguration
- George H. W. Bush: 64 (1989)
- Bill Clinton: 46 (1993)
- George W. Bush: 54 (2001)
- Barack Obama: 47 (2009)
- Donald Trump: 70 (2017)
- Joe Biden: 78 (2021)
Methods for Determining Presidential Age
Establishing a president’s age at any given point relies on two core data elements: the verified date of birth and the event date being measured. Reputable sources such as official biographies, federal election records, and presidential archives all align on Clinton’s birth date of August 19, 1946, and his inauguration on January 20, 1993. No conflicting dates appear in authoritative references, ensuring consistent and accurate age reporting across datasets used by researchers, educators, and journalists.
Common Questions About Presidential Age at Election
Readers often ask whether the age at election differs from age at inauguration. Technically, the election occurs in November, but the constitutional inauguration date in January determines when the president begins duties and is counted in official age metrics for tenure purposes. For Clinton, election-day age in November 1992 was 46, and inauguration-day age in January 1993 remained 46, since his birthday had already passed. Understanding this distinction helps clarify why inauguration age is typically cited in historical summaries.
Reliable Sources for Age Verification
Confirming a president’s age requires consulting recognized repositories of official information. Key source categories include presidential libraries, federal election commission filings, and authoritative biographical databases. For Bill Clinton, these converge on consistent dates: birth in August 1946 and inauguration in January 1993. Cross-referencing across these source types minimizes ambiguity and supports accurate, repeatable verification for public records and educational use.