Current Age and Biographical Details
President Russell M Nelson is 100 years old as of the latest available public records. He was born on September 9, 1924, in Salt Lake City, Utah. His age is frequently referenced in news coverage and official church communications, especially around milestone birthdays and leadership anniversaries. This makes him one of the oldest living leaders of a major global religious organization. For a concise overview of his early life and education, see this biographical summary on the official Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints website Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.
His full name is Russell Marion Nelson, and he holds a medical degree from the University of Utah. Before his religious leadership role, he was a prominent cardiothoracic surgeon. He is widely cited in discussions about longevity, leadership transitions, and institutional governance in faith-based organizations.
Leadership Timeline and Key Milestones
Russell M Nelson became president of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in January 2018. He succeeded Thomas S. Monson, who passed away at age 90. The transition was widely reported by major outlets, with many noting the significance of a centenarian leading a global faith community. Coverage of his leadership style often highlights his emphasis on temple worship, family, and international expansion.
Under his presidency, the church has announced new temple construction plans and adjusted its global schedule, including changes related to Sunday worship services. These decisions are analyzed by religion analysts and financial observers who track the church's extensive real estate, education, and media operations. A detailed timeline of his presidency is maintained on the official church newsroom site Church Newsroom.
Public Profile and Financial Context
President Nelson does not hold a corporate or public company executive role, but his position carries significant influence over one of the largest religious institutions in the world. The church operates a diversified portfolio including real estate, media, education, and humanitarian programs. While the church is not publicly traded, its financial scale is often compared to major institutional investors and nonprofit organizations.
Public disclosures and journalistic investigations have estimated the church's total assets in the tens of billions of dollars, though exact figures are not formally audited or published in the same way as for public companies. Analysts and journalists frequently reference the church's investment arm, Ensign Peak Advisors, when discussing the financial footprint of large faith-based entities. For background on the scale of nonprofit and religious institutional finance, see this overview from a respected financial publication Forbes.