List of Presidents of Myanmar: Past and Present

Last updated November 2026

This page lists the presidents and heads of state of Myanmar from 1948 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 Myanmar, former presidents, and key dates in the country's political history.

Current president of Myanmar: Min Aung Hlaing (in office since 2026).

Presidents of Myanmar in order, with years in office

Sao Shwe Thaik

Served: 1948–1952

First president of independent Burma, a Shan prince.

Ba U

Served: 1952–1957

Served as president after Sao Shwe Thaik.

Mahn Win Maung

Served: 1957–1962

Last president before the 1962 coup.

Ne Win

Served: 1962–1981

Led the 1962 coup, ruled as chairman of the Revolutionary Council, and was formally president from 1974 to 1981.

San Yu

Served: 1981–1988

Ne Win's successor as president.

Sein Lwin

Served: 1988

Held office for about 17 days during the 1988 uprising.

Maung Maung

Served: 1988

Civilian president for a few weeks before the September 1988 coup.

Saw Maung

Served: 1988–1992

Military head of state as chairman of the State Law and Order Restoration Council; he was never styled president.

Than Shwe

Served: 1992–2011

Military head of state as chairman of the ruling council until 2011; he was never styled president.

Thein Sein

Served: 2011–2016

First president of the post-military-rule transition.

Htin Kyaw

Served: 2016–2018

First civilian president in decades, from the National League for Democracy.

Win Myint

Served: 2018–2021

Removed in the February 2021 military coup.

Myint Swe

Served: 2021–2024 (acting)

Vice president who became acting president after the 2021 coup.

Min Aung Hlaing

Served: 2024–2026 (acting)

Military commander who acted as president in addition to leading the armed forces.

Min Aung Hlaing

Served: 2026–present

Elected president by parliament on 3 April 2026, with 429 of 584 votes, after giving up his post as commander-in-chief.

Frequently asked questions about the presidents of Myanmar

Who is the current president of Myanmar?

The current head of state of Myanmar is Min Aung Hlaing, in office since 2026.

Who were the previous presidents of Myanmar?

The presidents and heads of state of Myanmar listed on this page, in order, are: Sao Shwe Thaik, Ba U, Mahn Win Maung, Ne Win, San Yu, Sein Lwin, Maung Maung, Saw Maung, Than Shwe, Thein Sein, Htin Kyaw, Win Myint, Myint Swe, Min Aung Hlaing, Min Aung Hlaing.

Who was the first president of Myanmar?

Sao Shwe Thaik was the first president of Myanmar, in office 1948–1952.

Sources: Wikipedia, List of presidents of Myanmar; Eleven Myanmar, Associated Press, Reuters and Al Jazeera reports on the April 2026 election (checked Nov 2026). Heads of state since independence in 1948. Military heads of state who were never styled president (the chairmen of the Revolutionary Council and of the State Law and Order Restoration Council) are listed with that explained.. Last reviewed November 2026.

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