How Old Is Justice Alito: Verified Profile and Background

Samuel A. Alito Jr., the Associate Justice of the Supreme Court of the United States, was born on April 1, 1950, making him 74 years old as of 2024. Appointed by President George W. Bush, he assumed office on January 31, 2006, succeeding Justice Sandra Day O’Connor. This profile provides a durable overview of his age, career milestones, and institutional role, emphasizing verifiable dates and source-attributed facts. Understanding his tenure is essential for contextualizing decades of precedent, doctrine, and jurisprudential continuity on the Court.

Key Biographical Data and Age Calculation

Birth Date and Current Age

Justice Alito was born on April 1, 1950. Using that birth date and the current Gregorian calendar, individuals can calculate his exact age at any given time. As of the most recent complete anniversary in 2024, he turned 74. The following table summarizes the key date-based attributes relevant to determining his age and tenure length.

Confirmation and Commission Details

Nomination and Senate Process

President George W. Bush nominated Alito on October 31, 2005, to fill the vacancy left by Justice Sandra Day O’Connor. The Senate Judiciary Committee held hearings in December 2005, and the full Senate confirmed him on January 31, 2006, by a vote of 58–42. He received his commission the same day, marking the formal start of his tenure.

Precedential Context

Before joining the Supreme Court, Alito served on the United States Court of Appeals for the Third Circuit from 1990 to 2006, nominated by President George H. W. Bush. His prior service on the Third Circuit informed his approach to statutory interpretation and federalism, themes that have persisted in his jurisprudence.

Tenure and Service on the Supreme Court

Role and Responsibilities

As an Associate Justice, Alito participates in adjudicating constitutional questions, statutory interpretation, and certiorari grants. He has authored notable opinions in areas such as free exercise of religion, administrative law, and criminal procedure, contributing to the Court’s precedential record.

Tenure Duration

Having served since 2006, Alito’s tenure ranks among the longer-serving members of the current Court. His age and continued service underscore the cumulative impact of institutional memory and interpretive methodology over multiple decades.

Comparative Overview of Current Members

To contextualize Alito’s age and tenure, the following table compares his service duration with the other sitting justices as of 2024, using verified dates of appointment and confirmed service length.

Legacy and Jurisprudential Influence

Alito’s opinions have shaped doctrine in national security, religious liberty, and administrative governance. His emphasis on historical tradition in Establishment Clause cases and textualism in statutory matters reflects a judicial philosophy that prioritizes original understanding and the plain meaning of enacted text. These contributions continue to inform lower court reasoning and academic discourse.

Conclusion

Justice Samuel Alito, born April 1, 1950, is 74 years old and has served on the Supreme Court since January 31, 2006. His age, appointment history, and service duration are matters of public record and are essential for understanding his influence on constitutional law. This profile relies on authoritative sources and transparent calculations to provide a reliable reference for ongoing public discourse.