Xanana Gusmão
Served: 2002–2007
Independence resistance leader and first president of the restored state.
List of Presidents of Timor-Leste: Past and Present
Last updated
This page lists the presidents and heads of state of Timor-Leste from 2002 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 Timor-Leste, former leaders, and key dates in the country's political history.
Current president of Timor-Leste: José Ramos-Horta (in office since 2022).
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Presidents of Timor-Leste in order, with years in office
José Ramos-Horta
Served: 2007–2012
Nobel Peace Prize laureate (1996) and former prime minister.
Taur Matan Ruak
Served: 2012–2017
Former head of the armed forces.
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Francisco Guterres
Served: 2017–2022
Known as Lú-Olo; he served one term and died in June 2026.
José Ramos-Horta
Served: 2022–present
Returned to the presidency in 2022 after winning a runoff election.
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Frequently asked questions about the presidents of Timor-Leste
Who is the current president of Timor-Leste?
The current president of Timor-Leste is José Ramos-Horta, in office since 2022.
Who were the previous presidents of Timor-Leste?
The presidents and heads of state of Timor-Leste listed on this page, in order, are: Xanana Gusmão, José Ramos-Horta, Taur Matan Ruak, Francisco Guterres.
Who was the first president of Timor-Leste?
Xanana Gusmão was the first president of Timor-Leste, in office 2002–2007.
Sources: Wikipedia, President of Timor-Leste and 2026 in Timor-Leste; TATOLI, Korea Times and ABC News reports (checked Nov 2026). Presidents since independence was restored in 2002; the unrecognised 1975 declaration of independence is not listed.. Last reviewed November 2026.
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