Eldest Surviving Heads of State Across the Globe in 2025
In 2025, the world's oldest living leaders span across various countries, holding positions of influence and power. Here's a snapshot of their current political roles and backgrounds:
1. **Guillermo Rodríguez** (Ecuador) - **Position**: Former President of Ecuador (1972–1976) - **Background**: At 101 years old, Rodríguez is the oldest living former state leader, having served during a tumultuous period in Ecuadorian history.
2. **Tomiichi Murayama** (Japan) - **Position**: Former Prime Minister of Japan (1994–1996) - **Background**: Known for addressing historical issues, such as the 1995 apology for Japan's wartime atrocities, Murayama is the second-oldest living former state leader.
3. **Mahathir Mohamad** (Malaysia) - **Position**: Former Prime Minister of Malaysia (1981–2003, 2018–2020) - **Background**: Known for his long tenure and efforts in transforming Malaysia into a modern, industrialized nation, Mohamad was a significant figure in Malaysian politics for decades.
4. **Mohammad Hasan Sharq** (Afghanistan) - **Position**: Former Governor of Nimruz Province - **Background**: Although details about his political position in 2025 are limited, Sharq is noted among the oldest living leaders.
5. **Abdoulaye Wade** (Senegal) - **Position**: Former President of Senegal (2000–2012) - **Background**: Known for promoting democracy and economic reforms, Wade was a key figure in West African politics.
6. **Paul Biya** (Cameroon) - **Position**: President of Cameroon (since 1982) - **Background**: Biya is the longest-serving non-royal leader currently in office, having faced criticism for human rights issues and authoritarian practices.
7. **Mahmoud Abbas** (Palestine) - **Position**: President of the State of Palestine and the Palestinian National Authority (since 2005) - **Background**: Abbas has been a central figure in the Israeli-Palestinian peace process but faces challenges within the Palestinian community.
8. **Ali Khamenei** (Iran) - **Position**: Supreme Leader of Iran (since 1989) - **Background**: Khamenei holds significant power in Iran, influencing both domestic and foreign policies.
9. **King Salman** (Saudi Arabia) - **Position**: King of Saudi Arabia (since 2015) - **Background**: Salman has been involved in significant reforms and foreign policy decisions for Saudi Arabia.
10. **Teodoro Obiang Nguema Mbasogo** (Equatorial Guinea) - **Position**: President of Equatorial Guinea (since a coup in August 1979) - **Background**: Information about Obiang's current political role was not provided, but he is now the longest-serving non-royal head of state in the world, having led Equatorial Guinea to become very rich in oil during his tenure.
Other frequently mentioned leaders include Raif Dizdarević (Yugoslavia), who served as President of Yugoslavia from 1988 to 1989, although his current political position is not available.
This list may vary based on the source, but these leaders consistently rank among the oldest living state leaders as of 2025.
In 2025, amongst the various forms of published general-news articles, there were reports of the oldest living leaders being interviewed about their political roles and backgrounds. These politicians, such as Guillermo Rodríguez, Tomiichi Murayama, and Mahathir Mohamad, shared insightful perspectives on their time in office and the impact their decisions had on global politics. Additionally, the forms of political commentary and analysis, a staple in general-news media, provided critical analysis on the political landscape and the significance of these aging statesmen.
