Astronaut
John Glenn
John Glenn was born on July 18, 1921 in Cambridge, Ohio. He was selected as an astronaut the year he turned 38, and was elected to the U.S. Senate the year he turned 53.
John Glenn was born in 1921 and lived to age 95. Anyone born before 1921 is older than John. Anyone over 95 is older than John ever was.
John Glenn was born on July 18, 1921 in Cambridge, Ohio and died on December 8, 2016 at the age of 95. John would be 105 years old today.
John Glenn would be 105 years old in 2026 and would have turned 105 on July 18, 2026. John Glenn's age in every year ↓
Born
July 18, 1921
Died
December 8, 2016
World pop. at birth
~1.9B
John's age at death
95
Your age
20
Are you older than John Glenn?
No — John Glenn was born in 1921. You were born in 2006, making you 85 years younger. John lived to age 95. You are currently 20, so you are not yet older than John was when he died.
At your age (20), John hadn't yet reached his first major milestone: he was selected as an astronaut the year he turned 38. That's 18 years from now for you.
Are you older than them?
oldest → youngest
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Dr. Seuss
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Jimmy Stewart
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Lyndon B. Johnson
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Jacques Cousteau
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Mother Teresa
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Ronald Reagan
Lived to 93
Lucille Ball
Lived to 77
Alan Turing
Lived to 41
Richard Nixon
Lived to 81
Rosa Parks
Lived to 92
Hedy Lamarr
Lived to 85
Joe DiMaggio
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Frank Sinatra
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Lived to 46
Indira Gandhi
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Richard Feynman
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Jackie Robinson
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Edmund Hillary
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Isaac Asimov
Lived to 72
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John Glenn
Lived to 95
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Judy Garland
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Henry Kissinger
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Rocky Marciano
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Lived to 94
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Lived to 63
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Lived to 87
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Lived to 36
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John's age vs family
John's Life Timeline
John Glenn was born on July 18, 1921, in Cambridge, Ohio. He grew up in a modest family and showed an early interest in aviation, which led him to join the U.S. Navy during World War II. After the war, he became a test pilot and earned a reputation for his flying skills, which eventually paved the way for his selection as an astronaut in the early 1960s.
Read more
Glenn was 40 years old when he became the first American to orbit the Earth on February 20, 1962, aboard the Friendship 7 spacecraft. This historic flight made him a national hero and a symbol of American ingenuity during the Space Race. After his time in space, he served as a U.S. senator from Ohio from 1974 to 1999, where he focused on issues related to science and technology. At the age of 77, he returned to space on the Space Shuttle Discovery in 1998, becoming the oldest person to fly in space.
John Glenn passed away on December 8, 2016, at the age of 95. His legacy as a pioneering astronaut and dedicated public servant continues to inspire future generations. Glenn's contributions to space exploration and his commitment to public service have left an indelible mark on American history, making him a celebrated figure in both fields.
Was selected as an astronaut
John Glenn was 38 years old when he was selected as one of NASA's original Mercury 7 astronauts in 1959. This selection was a pivotal moment in his career and the beginning of his journey into space exploration.
John Glenn turned 38 in 1959, the year he was selected as an astronaut. Are you older than John was? Enter your birth year to compare.
Orbited the Earth
John Glenn was 40 years old when he orbited the Earth on February 20, 1962, aboard the Friendship 7 spacecraft. This mission marked a significant milestone in the Space Race and established Glenn as a national hero.
John Glenn turned 41 in 1962, the year he orbited the Earth. Are you older than John was? Enter your birth year to compare.
Was elected to the U.S. Senate
John Glenn was 53 years old when he was elected to the U.S. Senate in 1974. His experience as an astronaut and a veteran brought valuable insights to his legislative work, particularly in science and technology.
John Glenn turned 53 in 1974, the year he was elected to the U.S. Senate. Are you older than John was? Enter your birth year to compare.
Received the Congressional Gold Medal
John Glenn was 77 years old when he received the Congressional Gold Medal in 1998. This honor recognized his significant contributions to the United States' space program and his service to the nation.
John Glenn turned 77 in 1998, the year he received the Congressional Gold Medal. Are you older than John was? Enter your birth year to compare.
Returned to space
John Glenn was 77 years old when he returned to space on the Space Shuttle Discovery in 1998. This mission made him the oldest person to fly in space, demonstrating that age is not a barrier to exploration.
John Glenn turned 77 in 1998, the year he returned to space. Are you older than John was? Enter your birth year to compare.
Passed away
John Glenn was 95 years old when he passed away on December 8, 2016. His death marked the end of an era for American space exploration and public service.
John Glenn turned 95 in 2016, the year he passed away. Are you older than John was? Enter your birth year to compare.
Age by year
How old was John Glenn in each year?
- 2026
- John Glenn would be 105 years old in 2026 and would have turned 105 on July 18, 2026.
- 1959
- John Glenn was 37 at the start of 1959 and turned 38 on July 18, 1959. That year, he was selected as an astronaut.
- 1974
- John Glenn was 52 at the start of 1974 and turned 53 on July 18, 1974. That year, he was elected to the U.S. Senate.
- 1998
- John Glenn was 76 at the start of 1998 and turned 77 on July 18, 1998. That year, he received the Congressional Gold Medal.
- 2016
- John Glenn was 95 years old when he died on December 8, 2016. That year, he passed away.
John Glenn's age in every year
Ages change on July 18: the first number is before that birthday, the second after it.
- 19210 years old
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- 201088 → 89 years old
- 201189 → 90 years old
- 201290 → 91 years old
- 201391 → 92 years old
- 201492 → 93 years old
- 201593 → 94 years old
- 201694 → 95 years old
