List of Presidents of Marshall Islands: Past and Present

Last updated November 2026

This page lists the presidents and heads of state of Marshall Islands from 1979 to the present, with the years each leader was in office and a short summary of their time in power. Use it to find the current president of Marshall Islands, former leaders, and key dates in the country's political history.

Current president of Marshall Islands: Hilda Heine (in office since 2024). The Marshall Islands is a republic in free association with the United States. The president is both head of state and head of government and is elected by the Nitijela (parliament) from among its members after each general election.

Presidents of Marshall Islands in order, with years in office

Amata Kabua

Served: 1979–1996

First president, in office from the start of self-government in 1979 and through independence in 1986 until his death in December 1996.

Kunio Lemari

Served: 1996–1997

Acting president after Amata Kabua's death, until Imata Kabua took office in January 1997.

Imata Kabua

Served: 1997–2000

Elected by the Nitijela in January 1997, succeeding his cousin Amata Kabua.

Kessai Note

Served: 2000–2008

Elected in January 2000 and re-elected in 2004; he served until January 2008.

Litokwa Tomeing

Served: 2008–2009

Elected in January 2008 and removed by a vote of no confidence in October 2009.

Jurelang Zedkaia

Served: 2009–2012

Elected after Tomeing's removal in October 2009 and served until January 2012.

Christopher Loeak

Served: 2012–2016

Elected in January 2012 and in office until January 2016.

Hilda Heine

Served: 2016–2020

First woman to lead a Pacific island nation as president, elected in January 2016; she also holds a doctorate in education.

David Kabua

Served: 2020–2024

Son of Amata Kabua; elected in January 2020 and in office until January 2024.

Hilda Heine

Served: 2024–present

Returned to office on 3 January 2024 after the November 2023 general election and was still in office in October 2026.

Frequently asked questions about the presidents of Marshall Islands

Who is the current president of Marshall Islands?

The current president of Marshall Islands is Hilda Heine, in office since 2024. The Marshall Islands is a republic in free association with the United States. The president is both head of state and head of government and is elected by the Nitijela (parliament) from among its members after each general election.

Who were the previous presidents of Marshall Islands?

The presidents and heads of state of Marshall Islands listed on this page, in order, are: Amata Kabua, Kunio Lemari, Imata Kabua, Kessai Note, Litokwa Tomeing, Jurelang Zedkaia, Christopher Loeak, Hilda Heine, David Kabua.

Who was the first president of Marshall Islands?

Amata Kabua was the first president of Marshall Islands, in office 1979–1996.

Sources: Wikipedia, Hilda Heine and President of the Marshall Islands; Marshall Islands Office of the President, Taipei Times and Islands Business reports confirming Hilda Heine in office through September 2026 (checked Nov 2026). Complete list of presidents since 1979, including the brief acting president of 1996–1997.. Last reviewed November 2026.

Presidents of other Oceania countries

Presidents of Fiji · Presidents of Kiribati · Presidents of Micronesia · Presidents of Nauru · Presidents of Palau · Presidents of Samoa · Presidents of Vanuatu · All Oceania presidents · All countries A–Z