Who Runs the Game? List of 50 Female Presidents in the World You Should Know

Leadership doesn’t wear a gender, and these women proved it. In parliaments once dominated by suits and ties, female presidents around the World have stepped up, redefined power, and rewritten history. Whether leading nations through economic reform or crisis, these leaders brought empathy, resilience, and clarity to global politics. While women in top offices are still a minority, their impact is monumental. Here’s a look at the 50 most influential female presidents in the World, each one a symbol of change.

List of 50 Female Presidents in the World

No.	Name	Country	Term(s) Served	Age at First Term	First in Country?	Notable Reforms/Events
1	María Estela Perón	Argentina	1974–1976	43	Yes	Took over after husband’s death, political unrest
2	Vigdís Finnbogadóttir	Iceland	1980–1996	50	Yes	First elected female head of state
3	Corazon Aquino	Philippines	1986–1992	53	Yes	Restored democracy after the Marcos dictatorship
4	Mary McAleese	Ireland	1997–2011	46	No	Promoted reconciliation in Northern Ireland
5	Ellen Johnson Sirleaf	Liberia	2006–2018	67	Yes	First female elected head of state in Africa
6	Dalia Grybauskaitė	Lithuania	2009–2019	53	Yes	Nicknamed the “Iron Lady” of the Baltics
7	Dilma Rousseff	Brazil	2011–2016	63	Yes	Focused on economic programs, later impeached
8	Michelle Bachelet	Chile	2006–2010, 2014–18	54	Yes	Improved social programs, women’s rights
9	Kolinda Grabar-Kitarović	Croatia	2015–2020	46	Yes	Youngest president in Croatian history
10	Tsai Ing-wen	Taiwan	2016–Present	59	Yes	Defended Taiwan’s sovereignty
11	Zuzana Čaputová	Slovakia	2019–Present	45	Yes	Environmental advocate, anti-corruption
12	Sahle-Work Zewde	Ethiopia	2018–Present	68	Yes	Promoted gender parity in government
13	Ameenah Gurib-Fakim	Mauritius	2015–2018	56	Yes	Scientist turned president
14	Paula-Mae Weekes	Trinidad & Tobago	2018–2023	59	Yes	First female president in the island’s history
15	Samia Suluhu Hassan	Tanzania	2021–Present	61	Yes	First Muslim woman president in Africa
16	Katalin Novák	Hungary	2022–Present	44	Yes	Youngest and first female president
17	Droupadi Murmu	India	2022–Present	64	Yes	First tribal woman to hold presidency
18	Tarja Halonen	Finland	2000–2012	56	Yes	Social equality champion
19	Roza Otunbayeva	Kyrgyzstan	2010–2011	60	Yes	Guided peaceful power transition
20	Pratibha Patil	India	2007–2012	72	Yes	Promoted education and women’s rights
21	Joyce Banda	Malawi	2012–2014	62	Yes	Advocated against corruption
22	Aung San Suu Kyi (de facto)	Myanmar	2016–2021	70	Yes (sort of)	Symbol of democracy, later controversial
23	Chandrika Kumaratunga	Sri Lanka	1994–2005	49	Yes	Survived assassination attempts, peace efforts
24	Megawati Sukarnoputri	Indonesia	2001–2004	54	Yes	First female president of the world’s largest Muslim-majority nation
25	Laura Chinchilla	Costa Rica	2010–2014	50	Yes	Security and economic reforms
26	Mireya Moscoso	Panama	1999–2004	53	Yes	Focused on social programs
27	Cristina Fernández de Kirchner	Argentina	2007–2015	54	No	Boosted welfare, increased state intervention
28	Claudette Werleigh	Haiti	1995–1996	50	Yes	First female president in Haiti
29	Susana Díaz Pacheco	Spain (Andalusia)	2013–2019	38	No	Not a national but a prominent regional leader
30	Atifete Jahjaga	Kosovo	2011–2016	36	Yes	Youngest female head of state in Europe
31	Monique Ohsan Bellepeau	Mauritius (Acting)	2010–2015	69	Yes	Held interim power twice
32	Lidia Gueiler Tejada	Bolivia	1979–1980	58	Yes	First Bolivian woman in power
33	Ertha Pascal-Trouillot	Haiti	1990–1991	47	Yes	First provisional female president
34	Catherine Samba-Panza	Central African Republic	2014–2016	60	Yes	Guided transitional period
35	Sylvie Kinigi	Burundi	1993–1994	40	Yes	Short transitional role
36	Ruth Perry	Liberia (Interim)	1996–1997	57	Yes	Africa’s first female interim leader
37	Vaira Vīķe-Freiberga	Latvia	1999–2007	61	Yes	Strengthened NATO & EU ties
38	Beatriz Merino	Peru (Interim PM)	2003	55	No	First woman Prime Minister
39	Soong Ching-ling	China (Acting Head)	1981	88	Yes	Honorary president, revolutionary figure
40	Aja Fatoumata Jallow-Tambajang	Gambia (Vice Pres.)	2017–2018	68	No	Pivotal in democratic transition
41	Ana Brnabić	Serbia (PM, Head of State functions)	2017–Present	41	No	Serbia’s first female and openly gay PM
42	Najla Bouden Romdhane	Tunisia (PM)	2021–2023	63	Yes	First female PM in the Arab world
43	Sükhbaataryn Yanjmaa	Mongolia	1953	59	Yes	Communist figure, transitional leader
44	Guðrún Katrín Þorbergsdóttir	Iceland (First Lady, nominated for president)	NA	NA	NA	Cultural icon, declined presidential run
45	Simone Veil	France (President of European Parliament)	1979–1982	52	No	Symbol of women’s rights in France
46	Carmen Pereira	Guinea-Bissau (Acting)	1984	43	Yes	Short tenure, symbolic shift
47	Mame Madior Boye	Senegal	2001–2002	52	Yes	First female PM, acted in a crisis
48	Hilda Heine	Marshall Islands	2016–2020	65	Yes	Promoted climate resilience
49	Chandrika Persaud	Guyana (Acting)	2005	58	Yes	Short transitional period
50	Maia Sandu	Moldova	2020–Present	48	Yes	Anti-corruption reforms, EU integration

10 Famous Female Presidents in the World

1. Ellen Johnson Sirleaf

• Age: 67 (at the start of her presidency)
• Country: Liberia
• Term Served: 2006–2018

Often called the “Iron Lady of Africa,” Ellen Johnson Sirleaf was Africa’s first democratically elected female president. Taking charge after a brutal civil war, she rebuilt Liberia’s institutions, promoted women’s rights, and brought the country back into the global community. Her leadership during the Ebola crisis and fight against corruption earned her a Nobel Peace Prize. Sirleaf’s presidency inspired a new generation of African women to believe in leadership beyond gender, making her one of the most famous female presidents in the world.

2. Tsai Ing-wen

• Age: 59
• Country: Taiwan
• Term Served: 2016–Present

Tsai Ing-wen became Taiwan’s first female president and quickly became a steady, unshaken leader. She focused on national identity, economic reform, and digital infrastructure. Her firm stance against Chinese pressure and her management of the COVID-19 pandemic gained her respect at home and abroad. Tsai’s presidency shows how calm, calculated leadership can steer a nation forward in turbulent geopolitical waters.

3. Michelle Bachelet

• Age: 54
• Country: Chile
• Term Served: 2006–2010, 2014–2018

Michelle Bachelet was Chile’s first female president and held the office twice. A former pediatrician and political exile, she introduced education reform, improved access to healthcare, and expanded pension systems. Her personal story, shaped by dictatorship and an unwavering spirit, made her widely respected. Bachelet remains one of the most influential female presidents in the world, known for combining compassion with progressive reforms. After her presidency, she became the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights, continuing her advocacy on a global scale.

4. Droupadi Murmu

• Age: 64
• Country: India
• Term Served: 2022–Present

Droupadi Murmu made history as India’s first tribal woman to become president. Rising from humble beginnings in a remote village in Odisha, she became a symbol of social inclusion and equality. Her presence in the highest constitutional office reflects a changing India that is slowly embracing representation across caste, gender, and geography. Murmu’s journey resonates deeply with millions of Indians who never saw themselves in positions of power.

5. Vigdís Finnbogadóttir

• Age: 50
• Country: Iceland
• Term Served: 1980–1996

The world’s first democratically elected female president, Vigdís Finnbogadóttir, served for 16 years, leaving an unforgettable mark on Iceland. A former theatre director and language teacher, she brought cultural diplomacy to the forefront. Vigdís reshaped leadership in Europe with grace and intellect. Her presidency opened doors for women in global politics and remains a reference point in feminist leadership history.

6. Kolinda Grabar-Kitarović

• Age: 46
• Country: Croatia
• Term Served: 2015–2020

As one of the youngest female presidents in the world, Kolinda Grabar-Kitarović blended diplomacy with charisma. She raised the country’s global profile, championed national pride during the 2018 FIFA World Cup, and advocated for youth and education. Her approachable style made her popular far beyond the realm of politics. Kolinda’s term is remembered for her efforts to connect with everyday Croatians and bring international attention to her nation.

7. Zuzana Čaputová

• Age: 45
• Country: Slovakia
• Term Served: 2019–Present

Zuzana Čaputová became Slovakia’s first female president, bringing fresh air into Eastern European politics. A lawyer and environmental activist, she gained national attention by winning a landmark waste dump case before entering politics. As one of the most admired female presidents in the world, Čaputová has championed climate action, anti-corruption reforms, and LGBTQ+ rights. Her calm demeanor and principled politics have earned her widespread admiration across Europe.

8. Dilma Rousseff

• Age: 63
• Country: Brazil
• Term Served: 2011–2016

Dilma Rousseff became Brazil’s first female president after a long career in public service and political resistance during the country’s military dictatorship. She focused on poverty reduction, infrastructure, and economic development. Despite facing political challenges and eventual impeachment, her initial term marked essential steps in Brazil’s welfare expansion. As one of the most recognized female presidents in the world, Dilma’s leadership opened the door for Brazilian women to pursue top political offices, especially in executive roles, where their presence had long been limited.

9. Tarja Halonen

• Age: 56
• Country: Finland
• Term Served: 2000–2012

As Finland’s first female president, Tarja Halonen championed equality, social welfare, and international cooperation. Her law and human rights background gave her a distinct voice in Nordic politics. Halonen was known for her accessible leadership style and for modernizing Finland’s global image. Even after her presidency, she remained active in international forums discussing social justice and sustainability, symbolizing leadership that lasts beyond office.

10. Samia Suluhu Hassan

• Age: 61
• Country: Tanzania
• Term Served: 2021–Present

After the sudden death of President Magufuli, Samia Suluhu Hassan stepped in and became Tanzania’s first female president. She brought a more moderate, diplomatic tone to Tanzanian politics and focused on public health, education, and rebuilding international ties. Her leadership style, based on collaboration and transparency, marked a clear shift in the country’s governance. She remains one of the most influential female presidents in the world in recent years.

Conclusion 

Across continents, cultures, and crises, female presidents in the world have redefined what leadership looks like. From post-conflict recovery to driving social reform, these women brought compassion, strength, and purpose to the highest offices. Their journeys remind us that politics isn’t just about power but progress. As more women rise in global politics, they inspire futures by effortlessly leading their respective countries. And while the list today is still growing, it’s only a matter of time before more girls see their dreams mirrored in the presidential portraits of tomorrow.

FAQs

Q1: How many female presidents are there in the world currently?

A. As of 2025, around 25 countries have sitting female heads of state or government, including presidents like Tsai Ing-wen (Taiwan), Samia Suluhu Hassan (Tanzania), and Maia Sandu (Moldova).

Q2: Who was the first female president in the world?

A. María Estela Perón of Argentina became the first female president in 1974, followed closely by Vigdís Finnbogadóttir of Iceland, the first woman elected in a democratic national election.

Q3: Which countries have had multiple female presidents?

A. Countries like Argentina, Chile, and India have had more than one female leader in presidential or prime ministerial roles over the decades.

Q4: Why is the role of female presidents important globally?

A. Female presidents break long-standing gender barriers, promote inclusive policymaking, and often focus on issues like healthcare, education, and equality, areas sometimes underprioritized by male-dominated administrations.

Q5: Are more women expected to become presidents in the future?

A. Yes. With growing advocacy, education access, and political participation, the number of female presidents in the world is expected to rise steadily in the coming decades.