List of heads of state of Greece facts for kids

Kids Encyclopedia Facts

This article tells you about the people who have been the leaders of Greece, from when it became an independent country during the Greek Revolution until today. These leaders are called "heads of state."

Early Greek Leaders (1822–1832)
- Leaders of the Provisional Administration (1822–1827)
- Governors of the Hellenic State (1827–1832)
Kings of Greece (1832–1924)
- The Wittelsbach Royal Family (1832–1862)
- The Glücksburg Royal Family (1863–1924)
The Second Greek Republic (1924–1935)
Return of the Kingdom (1935–1973)
- The Glücksburg Royal Family (1935–1973)
Greece Under Military Rule (1973–1974)
The Third Greek Republic (1974–Present)
- Timeline of Presidents (1974–Present)
Titles of Greek Leaders
Images for kids
See also

Early Greek Leaders (1822–1832)

The first government of Greece was called the "Provisional Administration of Greece." It was set up during the Greek Revolution. Later, it was renamed the "Hellenic State." In these early years, the head of state was also the head of the government.

Leaders of the Provisional Administration (1822–1827)

These leaders were called "Presidents of the Executive." They helped guide Greece in its very first years as a new nation.

No.	Name	Term Start	Term End	Title
1	Alexandros Mavrokordatos	15 January 1822	26 April 1823	President of the Executive
2	Petros Mavromichalis	26 April 1823	5 January 1824	President of the Executive
3	Georgios Kountouriotis	6 January 1824	17 April 1826	President of the Executive
4	Andreas Zaimis	18 April 1826	26 March 1827	President of the Government Commission
—	Vice-gubernatorial Committee of 1827	3 April 1827	20 January 1828

Governors of the Hellenic State (1827–1832)

After the Provisional Administration, Greece became the Hellenic State. It was led by governors.

No.	Name	Term Start	Term End	Political Group
1	Ioannis Kapodistrias	20 January 1828	27 September 1831	Independent
2	Augustinos Kapodistrias	8 December 1831	27 March 1832	Independent
—	Administrative Committee of Greece (1832)	28 March 1832	25 January 1833	Independent

Kings of Greece (1832–1924)

After the early years, Greece became a kingdom. This happened at a big meeting in London in 1832. Three powerful countries (the United Kingdom, France, and Russia) decided that Greece should have a king. They chose Prince Otto from Bavaria to be the first King of Greece.

The Wittelsbach Royal Family (1832–1862)

King Otto ruled Greece for many years. It was decided that if he had no children, his younger brothers would become king. It was also agreed that the King of Greece could never also be the King of Bavaria. King Otto was removed from power in 1862.

No.	Portrait	Name	Reign Start	Reign End	How they became King
1		Otto	25 April 1832	12 October 1862	Chosen at the 1832 London Conference

The Glücksburg Royal Family (1863–1924)

After King Otto was removed, the Greek people still wanted a king. Many hoped that Prince Alfred, the son of Queen Victoria of Great Britain, would become king. However, old rules prevented this. So, the Greeks held a vote in 1862 to decide on their new leader. This was the first time Greece ever had a public vote like this!

Prince Alfred said no to the crown. Instead, Prince William of Denmark was chosen by the Greek leaders to become King George I of the Hellenes.

Denotes Regent

No.	Name	Reign Start	Reign End	How they became King
2	George I	30 March 1863	18 March 1913	Chosen after the 1862 public vote
3	Constantine I	18 March 1913	11 June 1917	Son of George I
4	Alexander	11 June 1917	25 October 1920	Second son of Constantine I
—	Pavlos Kountouriotis	28 October 1920	17 November 1920	Regent (temporary ruler)
—	Queen Olga	17 November 1920	19 December 1920	Regent (temporary ruler)
(3)	Constantine I	19 December 1920	27 September 1922	Returned to the throne after a public vote
5	George II	27 September 1922	25 March 1924	Eldest son of Constantine I

The Second Greek Republic (1924–1935)

In 1924, Greece decided to stop being a kingdom and became a parliamentary republic. This means the country was led by a president, not a king. A public vote was held to confirm this change. The president's job was mostly symbolic, like a national symbol. This republic ended in 1935.

Status

Denotes Acting President

No.	Name	Elected	Term Start	Term End	Political Group
1	Pavlos Kountouriotis	1924	25 March 1924	6 April 1926	Military
2	Theodoros Pangalos	—	6 April 1926	18 April 1926	Military
2	Theodoros Pangalos	1926	18 April 1926	22 August 1926	Military
(1)	Pavlos Kountouriotis	—	22 August 1926	24 August 1926	Military
(1)	Pavlos Kountouriotis	—	24 August 1926	10 December 1929	Military
3	Alexandros Zaimis	—	10 December 1929	14 December 1929	Independent
3	Alexandros Zaimis	1929, 1933	14 December 1929	10 October 1935	Independent

Return of the Kingdom (1935–1973)

After the Second Republic, Greece became a kingdom again in 1935. The Glücksburg royal family returned to the throne.

The Glücksburg Royal Family (1935–1973)

Denotes Regent

No.	Name	Reign Start	Reign End	How they became King
—	Georgios Kondylis	10 October 1935	25 November 1935	Regent (took power and brought back the monarchy)
(5)	George II	25 November 1935	31 December 1944	Returned to the throne after a public vote
—	Archbishop Damaskinos	31 December 1944	27 September 1946	Regent (temporary ruler after Greece was freed)
(5)	George II	27 September 1946	1 April 1947	Returned to the throne after a public vote
6	Paul	1 April 1947	6 March 1964	Third son of Constantine I
7	Constantine II	6 March 1964	1 June 1973	Son of Paul
—	Georgios Zoitakis	13 December 1967	21 March 1972	Regent (appointed by the military government)
—	Georgios Papadopoulos	21 March 1972	31 May 1973	Regent (military leader who declared himself regent)

Greece Under Military Rule (1973–1974)

In 1973, a military government took control of Greece. They ended the monarchy and created a presidential republic. This change was approved by a public vote that was not fair.

No.	Portrait	Name	Term Start	Term End	Political Group
1		Georgios Papadopoulos	1 June 1973	25 November 1973	Military
2		Phaedon Gizikis	25 November 1973	24 July 1974	Military

The Third Greek Republic (1974–Present)

In 1974, the military government was overthrown, and democracy returned to Greece. Another public vote was held, and the people decided to keep the republic and not bring back the monarchy. Today, Greece is a parliamentary republic, and the President is the head of state, mostly in a symbolic role.

Status

Denotes Acting President

No.	Name	Elected	Term Start	Term End	Political Group
—	Phaedon Gizikis	— (stayed in office temporarily)	24 July 1974	17 December 1974	Military
1	Michail Stasinopoulos	1974 (Interim)	18 December 1974	19 July 1975	New Democracy
2	Konstantinos Tsatsos	1975	19 July 1975	10 May 1980	New Democracy
3	Konstantinos Karamanlis	1980	10 May 1980	10 March 1985	New Democracy
—	Ioannis Alevras	— (Acting)	10 March 1985	30 March 1985	PASOK
4	Christos Sartzetakis	1985	30 March 1985	4 May 1990	Independent
(3)	Konstantinos Karamanlis	1990	5 May 1990	10 March 1995	New Democracy
5	Konstantinos Stephanopoulos	1995, 2000	10 March 1995	12 March 2005	Independent
6	Karolos Papoulias	2005, 2010	12 March 2005	13 March 2015	PASOK
7	Prokopis Pavlopoulos	2014–2015	13 March 2015	13 March 2020	New Democracy
8	Katerina Sakellaropoulou	2020	13 March 2020	Incumbent	Independent

Timeline of Presidents (1974–Present)

This timeline shows when each president of the Third Hellenic Republic served.

Titles of Greek Leaders

The title for Greece's head of state has changed over time, depending on whether it was a republic or a kingdom.

State	Years	Title
First Hellenic Republic	1827–1832	Governor
Kingdom of Greece (Wittelsbach family)	1832–1862	King of Greece
Kingdom of Greece (Glücksburg family)	1863–1924	King of the Hellenes
Second Hellenic Republic	1924	Governor
Second Hellenic Republic	1924–1935	President of the Republic
Kingdom of Greece (Restored Glücksburg family)	1935–1973	King of the Hellenes
Hellenic Republic (Military Government)	1973–1974	President of the Republic
Third Hellenic Republic	1974–present	President of the Republic