Karl Marx · Vladimir Lenin Were Karl Marx and Vladimir Lenin alive at the same time? Yes. Karl Marx and Vladimir Lenin were alive at the same time for 12 years, from 1870 to 1883. Karl Marx was 51 when Vladimir Lenin was born.Vladimir Lenin was 12 when Karl Marx died, aged 64. Karl MarxGerman-born philosopherBorn 5 May 1818 · died 14 March 1883, aged 64Vladimir LeninFounding leader of the Soviet UnionBorn 22 April 1870 · died 21 January 1924, aged 53 NapoleonAbraham LincolnKarl MarxMahatma GandhiVladimir LeninAlbert EinsteinAdolf HitlerRonald ReaganNelson Mandela Karl Marx and Vladimir Lenin in bold, with some of their best-known contemporaries. Drag across to see the age each reached in any year. Faded ends mark uncertain dates.