How many times has a Vice-President become President?

The correct answer is that a Vice-President has become President nine times in U.S. history. This typically occurs when a sitting president dies in office, resigns, or is removed from office, leading the Vice-President to assume the presidency as outlined in the U.S. Constitution, specifically under the 25th Amendment.

The first instance was John Tyler, who became President in 1841 following William Henry Harrison’s death. Since then, there have been other instances, including those involving Vice-Presidents who assumed the presidency for similar reasons, such as Harry S. Truman taking over after Franklin D. Roosevelt’s death and Lyndon B. Johnson succeeding John F. Kennedy.

All previous instances of a Vice-President stepping into the presidential role resulted in a total of nine transitions. This showcases not just the continuity of governance but also the critical role of the Vice-President in the executive line of succession, ensuring that there is always a leader in place even during unexpected transitions.