Jamesty
The global political landscape continues to contain a remarkable number of senior leaders as of the middle of the year 2025. Some of these leaders have been shaping their countries for decades by this point. The fact that these individuals contribute a wealth of experience and a historical perspective to their responsibilities cannot be denied, despite the fact that age is merely a number. Take a look at the top ten oldest living leaders in the world, which are as follows:
List Of Top 10 Oldest Living Leaders In The World 2025
1. Paul Biya (Cameroon)
Cameroon since November 6, 1982, making him one of the longest-serving non-royal leaders of state in the world. Biya was born in 1933 and worked his way up through the Cameroonian administration to become president. He has been in power for decades, and while he has focused on stability, he has also faced criticism for how he has handled the Anglophone conflict in the Northwest and Southwest sections of the country, as well as for how he has run the government and protected human rights. Biya has always won presidential elections, even though he has faced a lot of problems. This has kept him in charge of politics in Cameroon.
2. Mahmoud Abbas (Palestine)
Abu Mazen, commonly known as Mahmoud Abbas, has been the President of the State of Palestine and the Palestinian National Authority since January 15, 2005. Abbas was born in 1935 and was an important member of the Palestine Liberation Organization (PLO). He also signed the Oslo Accords. His presidency has been mostly about trying to reach a two-state solution with Israel, but the talks have hit a wall. He still has to deal with complicated political situations, like the ongoing Israeli-Palestinian conflict and the differences among the Palestinian community.
3. Ali Khamenei (Iran)
Since 1989, Sayyid Ali Hosseini Khamenei has been the second and current Supreme Leader of Iran. He was born in 1939 and was President of Iran from 1981 to 1989. Khamenei is the Supreme Leader of Iran, which means he is in charge of all religious and political matters and makes sure that all key official policies are followed. Strong anti-Western rhetoric, a concentration on regional power, and the continuance of Iran’s nuclear program have all been hallmarks of his leadership. He has a big say in how Iran handles its own problems and those of other countries.
4. King Salman (Saudi Arabia)
On January 23, 2015, King Salman became the King of Saudi Arabia and the Keeper of the Two Holy Mosques. He was born in 1935 and was the Crown Prince and Minister of Defense before that. As part of the Vision 2030 plan, his son, Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, has started major social and economic changes throughout his reign. These changes are meant to make the Saudi economy less dependent on oil and bring the country up to date. They also have to deal with complicated regional and geopolitical issues.
5. King Harald V (Norway)
Since January 17, 1991, King Harald V has been the King of Norway. He was born in 1937 and is a well-liked king who stands for tradition and continuity for the people of Norway. As a constitutional monarch, his job is mostly ceremonial. He is a symbol of national identity and a unifying figure. People remember King Harald V for his dedication to environmental issues and his friendly, open personality.
6. Teodoro Obiang Nguema Mbasogo
Teodoro Obiang Nguema Mbasogo took over as President of Equatorial Guinea in a coup in August 1979. He was born in 1942 and is now the longest-serving non-royal head of state in the world. During his long time in office, Equatorial Guinea has become very rich in oil, but he has also been widely criticized around the world for human rights abuses, corruption, and a lack of political freedom. Even so, he has held on to power for more than 40 years.
7. Emmerson Mnangagwa
Robert Mugabe stepped down as President of Zimbabwe in November 2017, and Emmerson Mnangagwa took over. Mnangagwa was born in 1942 and was a close friend of Mugabe’s for a long time. Before becoming president, he held a number of cabinet positions. His leadership has been about fixing the economy and getting Zimbabwe back in touch with the rest of the world. But his government has also come under fire for its human rights and democratic reforms.
8. Michael D. Higgins
Since November 2011, Michael D. Higgins has been the ninth President of Ireland. Higgins was born in 1941 and has been a well-known figure in Irish public life for decades as a poet, sociologist, and politician. He is a respected leader as president who supports Irish culture, human rights, and social justice. He is known for giving great presentations and being a good leader.
9. Sergio Mattarella
Since February 2015, Sergio Mattarella has been the President of Italy. Mattarella was born in 1941. He used to be a judge and a politician. He has been able to stay stable and fair in Italy’s sometimes complicated and changing political scene. His main job as president is ceremonial, but he is very important for defending the constitution and making sure that politics continues, especially during government difficulties.
10. Emir Mishal Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah
Emir Mishal Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah became the Emir of Kuwait on December 16, 2023, after his half-brother Sheikh Nawaf Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah died. He was born in 1940 and was once Crown Prince. As the new Emir, he is expected to keep leading Kuwait’s economic growth and foreign policy in the region while also protecting the country’s constitutional monarchy.
