Richard Wagner · Vladimir Lenin Were Richard Wagner and Vladimir Lenin alive at the same time? Yes. Richard Wagner and Vladimir Lenin were alive at the same time for 12 years, from 1870 to 1883. Richard Wagner was 56 when Vladimir Lenin was born.Vladimir Lenin was 12 when Richard Wagner died, aged 69. Richard WagnerGerman composerBorn 22 May 1813 · died 13 February 1883, aged 69Vladimir LeninFounding leader of the Soviet UnionBorn 22 April 1870 · died 21 January 1924, aged 53 NapoleonAbraham LincolnRichard WagnerKarl MarxVladimir LeninAlbert EinsteinAdolf HitlerRonald ReaganNelson Mandela Richard Wagner 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.