List of Presidents of Timor-Leste: Past and Present

Last updated November 2026

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 presidents, and key dates in the country's political history.

Current president of Timor-Leste: José Ramos-Horta (in office since 2022).

Presidents of Timor-Leste in order, with years in office

Xanana Gusmão

Served: 2002–2007

Independence resistance leader and first president of the restored state.

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.

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.

Frequently asked questions about the presidents of Timor-Leste

Who is the current president of Timor-Leste?

The current head of state 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, José Ramos-Horta.

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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