When it comes to being a world leader, how old is too old? Voters in Malaysia had to ponder that question this week, as former prime minister Mahathir Mohamad led the country's opposition alliance in an election to oust Najib Razak, the scandal-ridden incumbent prime minister.
At 92, Mahathir is almost three decades older than Najib. He has already been Malaysia's longest-serving prime minister, having held power from 1981 to 2003. But in the end, it didn't seem to matter: Malaysia's opposition won the election, its first victory in 60 years. Now, if Mahathir is sworn in (there is still some doubt about that), he will become the world's oldest head of state or government.
As he arrived at a 3 a.m. news conference on Thursday, Mahathir seemed to joke about his age. “Yes, yes, I am still alive,” he told the waiting crowd.
It's only when you include hereditary rulers and autocratic leaders that you realize that being the oldest world leader is a competitive title. Britain's Queen Elizabeth II, 91, holds the distinction of being the oldest world leader — a title she took from Zimbabwe's Robert Mugabe when he was ousted from office last year at age 93. Beji Caid Essebsi, Tunisia's 91-year-old president, is the oldest serving elected world leader.
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