List of prime ministers of Trinidad and Tobago facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Prime Minister of theRepublic of Trinidad and Tobago |
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![]() Prime Ministerial Seal
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Style | The Honourable |
Residence |
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Seat | Whitehall, 29 Maraval Road, Saint Clair, Port of Spain, Trinidad and Tobago |
Appointer | The president of Trinidad and Tobago |
Term length | Five years, renewable |
Precursor | |
Formation | 31 August 1962 |
First holder | Eric Williams |
Salary | TT$ 576,000 annually |
The Prime Minister of Trinidad and Tobago is the main leader of the government. They are in charge of the executive branch, which means they help run the country day-to-day.
Every five years, there is a general election. After the election, the President chooses the person who has the most support in the House of Representatives to be Prime Minister. This person is usually the leader of the political party that won the most seats.
The current Prime Minister of Trinidad and Tobago is Kamla Persad-Bissessar. She was sworn into office on May 1, 2025, by President Christine Kangaloo.
This article lists the people who have held this important role. It starts from when the position was called Chief Minister in 1950, up to today.
Contents
Leaders of Trinidad and Tobago
This section shows the different leaders Trinidad and Tobago has had over the years. The role changed names a few times before becoming Prime Minister.
Chief Minister (1950–1959)
This was the first main leadership role before Trinidad and Tobago became fully independent.
No. | Portrait | Name (born–died) |
Term of office | Political party | Elected | Ref. | |||
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Took office | Left office | Time in office | |||||||
1 | ![]() |
Albert Gomes (1911–1978) MP for Port of Spain North |
18 September 1950 | 28 October 1956 | 6 years, 40 days | Party of Political Progress Groups | 1950 | ||
2 | ![]() |
Eric Williams (1911–1981) MP for Port of Spain South-East |
28 October 1956 | 9 July 1959 | 2 years, 254 days | People's National Movement | 1956 |
Premier (1959–1962)
The title changed to Premier just before the country gained independence.
No. | Portrait | Name (born–died) |
Term of office | Political party | Elected | Ref. | |||
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Took office | Left office | Time in office | |||||||
1 | ![]() |
Eric Williams (1911–1981) MP for Port of Spain South-East, later Port of Spain South |
9 July 1959 | 31 August 1962 | 3 years, 53 days | People's National Movement | — | ||
1961 |
Prime Minister (1962–present)
Since Trinidad and Tobago became independent in 1962, the leader of the government has been called the Prime Minister.
No. | Portrait | Name (born–died) |
Term of office | Political party | Elected | Government | Ref. | |||
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Took office | Left office | Time in office | ||||||||
1 | ![]() |
Eric Williams (1911–1981) MP for Port of Spain South |
31 August 1962 | 29 March 1981 | 18 years, 210 days | People's National Movement | — | Williams I | ||
1966 | ||||||||||
1971 | Williams II | |||||||||
1976 | Williams III | |||||||||
2 | ![]() |
George Chambers (1928–1997) MP for St. Ann's East |
30 March 1981 | 18 December 1986 | 5 years, 263 days | People's National Movement | 1981 | Chambers | ||
3 | ![]() |
A. N. R. Robinson (1926–2014) MP for Tobago East |
19 December 1986 | 17 December 1991 | 4 years, 363 days | National Alliance for Reconstruction | 1986 | Robinson | ||
4 | ![]() |
Patrick Manning (1946–2016) MP for San Fernando East |
17 December 1991 | 9 November 1995 | 3 years, 327 days | People's National Movement | 1991 | Manning I | ||
5 | ![]() |
Basdeo Panday (1933–2024) MP for Couva North |
9 November 1995 | 24 December 2001 | 6 years, 45 days | United National Congress | 1995 | Panday–Robinson | ||
2000 | Panday II | |||||||||
(4) | ![]() |
Patrick Manning (1946–2016) MP for San Fernando East |
24 December 2001 | 26 May 2010 | 8 years, 153 days | People's National Movement | 2001 | Manning II | ||
2002 | Manning III | |||||||||
2007 | Manning IV | |||||||||
6 | ![]() |
Kamla Persad-Bissessar (born 1952) MP for Siparia |
26 May 2010 | 9 September 2015 | 5 years, 106 days | United National Congress | 2010 | Persad-Bissessar | ||
7 | ![]() |
Keith Rowley (born 1949) MP for Diego Martin West |
9 September 2015 | 17 March 2025 | 9 years, 189 days | People's National Movement | 2015 | Rowley | ||
2020 | Rowley II | |||||||||
8 | ![]() |
Stuart Young (born 1975) MP for Port-of-Spain North/St. Ann's West |
17 March 2025 | 1 May 2025 | 45 days | People's National Movement | — | Young | ||
(6) | ![]() |
Kamla Persad-Bissessar (born 1952) MP for Siparia |
1 May 2025 | Incumbent | 86 days | United National Congress | 2025 | Persad-Bissessar II |
Timeline of Prime Ministers
This timeline shows how long each Prime Minister served.

More to Explore
- Politics of Trinidad and Tobago
- List of governors of Trinidad and Tobago
- President of Trinidad and Tobago
- List of heads of state of Trinidad and Tobago
- Leader of the Opposition (Trinidad and Tobago)
- Lists of office-holders
See also
In Spanish: Primer ministro de Trinidad y Tobago para niños