If you’re wondering how old is the president of russia, the answer is pretty straightforward on paper but gets a whole lot weirder the deeper you dig. As of early 2026, Vladimir Putin is 73 years old. He was born on October 7, 1952, in what was then Leningrad.
But age in the Kremlin isn't just a number. It's a state secret, a political weapon, and lately, a bit of a sci-fi obsession.
73 is a significant number in Russia. It's well past the average life expectancy for Russian men, which has hovered around 66 to 67 in recent years. Yet, if you watch the official state broadcasts, you aren't seeing a typical septuagenarian. You’re seeing a man who—honestly—seems desperate to outrun time itself.
Is 73 the New 50 in the Kremlin?
To understand how old is the president of russia, you have to look at the "official" version versus the rumors. For decades, the Kremlin has carefully curated an image of Putin as the ultimate "alpha" male. We’ve all seen the photos: riding horses shirtless, flipping opponents in judo matches, and diving for ancient amphorae in the Black Sea.
Lately, though, the optics have shifted. During his fifth inauguration in May 2024, at the age of 71, observers noted he looked visibly older, perhaps a bit stiffer. But he’s still outlasting almost everyone. By the time 2026 rolled around, he had already surpassed the tenures of most Soviet leaders, with only Joseph Stalin still ahead of him in the "years in power" rankings.
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There’s a real obsession with longevity here. Just last year, reports surfaced about Putin discussing "immortality" and organ transplants with other world leaders. It sounds like a movie plot, but according to sources like The Guardian, he’s actually pouring state money into genetic research aimed at "rejuvenating the organism." When you’re 73 and have the keys to a nuclear superpower, apparently, you start looking for a way to stay in the driver's seat forever.
The Health Rumors That Won't Die
You've probably seen the headlines. For years, "insiders" have claimed he has everything from Parkinson's to advanced thyroid cancer. In 2022 and 2023, these rumors hit a fever pitch. People were analyzing the way he gripped a table or the way his leg twitched during meetings.
Basically, nobody actually knows.
The Kremlin is a black box. In the West, we get detailed reports on a president’s physical; in Russia, a sneeze is a national security risk. CIA Director William Burns famously joked that Putin looked "too healthy," which was a polite way of saying the US intelligence community wasn't seeing any "he's-going-to-die-tomorrow" evidence.
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How Old Is the President of Russia Compared to Past Leaders?
It's tempting to think he's ancient, but historically, Russia is used to old men in charge. Look at the Soviet "Gerontocracy" of the early 80s.
- Leonid Brezhnev: Died in office at 75.
- Yuri Andropov: Died at 69.
- Konstantin Chernenko: Died at 73 (Putin's current age).
The difference? Those guys looked like they were on their last legs for years. Putin, at 73, is still traveling, giving four-hour press conferences, and micromanaging a massive war in Ukraine. He’s not the "old man in the bunker" that his critics like to call him, at least not physically.
Under the constitutional changes he pushed through in 2020, he can technically stay in power until 2036. By then, he would be 83. That would make him the oldest person to ever lead Russia, surpassing even the most grizzled czars and communists.
The Politics of Aging
Why does everyone care so much about how old is the president of russia? Because there is no "Plan B."
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In a system where everything revolves around one guy, his biological clock is the country's most important clock. If he's healthy, the system is stable. If he's fading, the sharks start circling. Experts at places like the RAND Corporation have pointed out that Russia’s future is basically tied to Putin's medical chart. Without a clear successor, his age creates a "biological ticking clock" for the entire world's geopolitical stability.
His eldest daughter, Maria Vorontsova, is an endocrinologist. Interestingly enough, she’s been involved in some of that state-funded genetic research. Whether it’s about helping the general population live longer or just keeping her father in the Kremlin, it shows how deeply the "age" issue is woven into the family and the state.
Practical Realities for 2026 and Beyond
If you're tracking this for business, travel, or just because you're a news junkie, here is what 73 actually means in this context:
- Increased Secrecy: Expect even less transparency. As he ages, the "circle of trust" gets smaller.
- Focus on Legacy: Leaders in their 70s stop thinking about the next election and start thinking about history books. This usually makes them more aggressive, not less.
- Succession Anxiety: Even if he’s fit, the question of "who's next?" will dominate every diplomatic conversation behind closed doors.
Keep an eye on his public appearances. In 2026, the best way to gauge his "real" age isn't through a birth certificate—it's through his stamina. If he's still doing those marathon TV call-ins, he’s likely not going anywhere soon.
To stay ahead of how this affects global markets or regional security, look for shifts in the Russian "power vertical." When top-tier officials start getting replaced by younger "technocrats" in their 40s, it’s a sign the 73-year-old president is finally starting to build a bridge to what comes after him. Until then, age is just a number he intends to beat.