text: The only United States executive official to take the oath of office on foreign soil , King died of tuberculosis after only 45 days in office . With the exceptions of John Tyler and Andrew Johnson -- both of whom succeeded to the Presidency -- he remains the shortest-serving Vice President .
simplified: Excluding John Tyler and Andrew Johnson â '' both of whom ascended to the Presidency â '' he was the shortest-serving person to occupy that office ( 45 days , see List of U.S. Vice Presidents by time in office ) .