 Mackenzie Bowell lost this distinction when Charles Tupper was appointed, but when Tupper died in 1915, Bowell regained it again until his own death in 1917 for a total period of 3 years and 182 days.Louis St. Laurent was the oldest to acquire this distinction for the first time at the age of 78 years and 186 days.Lester B. Pearson, who was 75 years and 248 days old when he died, on December 27, 1972 was the oldest and most recent prime minister to die without ever acquiring this distinction.