how old is rhett butler at the beginning of gone with the wind

Rhett Butler is estimated to be around 32-33 years old at the beginning of Gone With the Wind.

The novel doesn’t explicitly state his age, but clues point to him being significantly older than the 16-year-old Scarlett O’Hara. He’s established as a wealthy man with a reputation, suggesting a longer life experience compared to the young Scarlett.