List of heads of state of Fiji facts for kids

Fiji is a beautiful island nation in the Pacific Ocean. Like many countries, it has a special leader called the head of state. This person represents the country and holds the highest position.

This article will tell you about all the different heads of state Fiji has had, starting from 1871 until today. You'll learn about kings, queens, and presidents who have led the country.

Right now, the head of state in Fiji is the President. The Parliament chooses the President for a three-year term. This is all set out in Fiji's Constitution.

The current President is Ratu Wiliame Katonivere. He was chosen on 22 October 2021 and officially started his role on 12 November 2021.

Soon, there will be a new President! The President-elect is Ratu Naiqama Lalabalavu. He was chosen on 31 October 2024 and will officially start his role on 11 November 2024.

Fiji's First King: Ratu Seru Epenisa Cakobau (1871–1874)

Before Fiji became a republic, it was a kingdom. The first and only King of Fiji was Seru Epenisa Cakobau. He united the different parts of Fiji under his leadership in 1871.

Name	Lifespan	Reign start	Reign end	Notes	Family	Image
Seru Epenisa Cakobau	c. 1815 – 1 February 1883 (aged c. 67–68)	5 June 1871	10 October 1874	Son of Tanoa Visawaqa

Before becoming king of all Fiji, Cakobau was the Vunivalu (which means a powerful chief or warlord) of Bau Island since 1852. He had called himself the King of Fiji for a long time, but other chiefs didn't fully agree until he brought the country together in 1871.

Fiji Under British Rule (1874–1970)

On 10 October 1874, King Cakobau signed an important document called the Deed of Cession. This document gave control of the Fiji islands to the British Empire. From that day until 1970, the British monarch was the official head of state for Fiji.

Name	Lifespan	Reign start	Reign end	Notes	Family	Image
Victoria	(1819-05-24)24 May 1819 – 22 January 1901(1901-01-22) (aged 81)	10 October 1874	22 January 1901		Hanover
Edward VII	(1841-11-09)9 November 1841 – 6 May 1910(1910-05-06) (aged 68)	22 January 1901	6 May 1910	Son of Victoria	Saxe-Coburg and Gotha
George V	(1865-06-03)3 June 1865 – 20 January 1936(1936-01-20) (aged 70)	6 May 1910	20 January 1936	Son of Edward VII	Saxe-Coburg and Gotha (until 1917) Windsor (from 1917)
Edward VIII	(1894-06-23)23 June 1894 – 28 May 1972(1972-05-28) (aged 77)	20 January 1936	11 December 1936 (abdicated)	Son of George V	Windsor
George VI	(1895-12-14)14 December 1895 – 6 February 1952(1952-02-06) (aged 56)	11 December 1936	6 February 1952	Son of George V	Windsor
Elizabeth II	(1926-04-21)21 April 1926 – 8 September 2022(2022-09-08) (aged 96)	6 February 1952	10 October 1970	Daughter of George VI	Windsor

Governors Representing the British Monarch

During the time Fiji was a British colony, the British monarch didn't live in Fiji. Instead, they had a special representative called a Governor. The Governor followed advice from the British government.

Fiji Becomes Independent: The Queen of Fiji (1970–1987)

On 10 October 1970, Fiji became an independent country! It joined the Commonwealth realm, which meant it was still part of a group of countries that recognized the British monarch as their head of state. So, Queen Elizabeth II became the Queen of Fiji.

Name	Lifespan	Reign start	Reign end	Notes	Family	Image
Elizabeth II	(1926-04-21)21 April 1926 – 8 September 2022(2022-09-08) (aged 96)	10 October 1970	6 October 1987 (deposed)	Daughter of George VI	Windsor

Governors-General Representing the Queen of Fiji

After Fiji became independent, the Queen of Fiji was still represented by a Governor-General. This person acted on the advice of the Fijian government, not the British one.

No.	Portrait	Name (Birth–Death)	Term of office			Monarch (Reign)
			Took office	Left office	Time in office
1		Sir Robert Sidney Foster (1913–2005)	10 October 1970	13 January 1973	2 years, 95 days	Elizabeth II
2		Ratu Sir George Cakobau (1912–1989)	13 January 1973	12 February 1983	10 years, 30 days
3		Ratu Sir Penaia Ganilau (1918–1993)	12 February 1983	6 October 1987	4 years, 236 days

Fiji's Presidents (1987–Present)

On 7 October 1987, Fiji became a republic. This meant it no longer had a monarch as its head of state. Instead, it would be led by a President. This change happened after some important events in Fiji's history.

Portrait	President	Took office	Left office	Time in office	Party		Election	Prime minister(s)
	Major General Sitiveni Rabuka (born 1948) Acting Head of the Interim Military Government	7 October 1987	5 December 1987	59 days		RFMF	—	—
	Ratu Sir Penaia Ganilau (1918–1993)	5 December 1987	15 December 1993 †	6 years, 10 days		Independent	1987	Mara Rabuka
	Ratu Sir Kamisese Mara (1920–2004)	16 December 1993 Acting until 18 January 1994	29 May 2000	6 years, 165 days		Independent	1994	Rabuka Chaudhry Momoedonu
	Commodore Frank Bainimarama (born 1954) Acting Head of the Interim Military Government	29 May 2000	13 July 2000	45 days		RFMF	—	Qarase
	Ratu Josefa Iloilo (1920–2011)	13 July 2000	5 December 2006	6 years, 145 days		Independent	2000 2006	Qarase Momoedonu Qarase
	Commodore Frank Bainimarama (born 1954) Acting Head of the Interim Military Government	5 December 2006	4 January 2007	30 days		RFMF	—	Senilagakali
	Ratu Josefa Iloilo (1920–2011)	4 January 2007	30 July 2009	2 years, 207 days		Independent	—	Bainimarama
	Ratu Brigadier General (Rtd) Epeli Nailatikau (born 1941)	30 July 2009 Acting until 5 November 2009	12 November 2015	6 years, 105 days		Independent	2009	Bainimarama
	Major General (Rtd) Jioji Konrote (born 1947)	12 November 2015	12 November 2021	6 years		FijiFirst	2015 2018	Bainimarama
	Ratu Wiliame Katonivere (born 1964)	12 November 2021	Incumbent	3 years, 247 days		People's Alliance (Fiji) (FijiFirst 2021–24)	2021	Bainimarama Rabuka
	Ratu Naiqama Lalabalavu (born 1953) President-elect	Set to assume office on 11 November 2024		248 days		People's Alliance (Fiji)	2024	Rabuka

Timeline of Fiji's Heads of State

This timeline shows you all the different leaders Fiji has had since 1871. It also shows when they were in power and what their political group was.

See Also

In Spanish: Anexo:Presidentes de Fiyi para niños

• Monarchy of Fiji
• President of Fiji
• Prime Minister of Fiji