List of heads of state of Malta facts for kids

Malta is an island country in Europe. Like many countries, it has a special leader called the head of state. This person is the official symbol of the country and represents it on the world stage. This article explains who has been Malta's head of state since it became independent in 1964.

From 1964 to 1974, Malta was a Commonwealth realm. This means its head of state was the Queen of Malta, Elizabeth II, who was also the Queen of the United Kingdom and other Commonwealth countries. She had a special representative in Malta called the Governor-General. In 1974, Malta changed its laws and became a republic within the Commonwealth. This meant the Queen and Governor-General were replaced by a President, who is chosen by the country's Parliament.

Queen of Malta (1964–1974)

When Malta became independent, Queen Elizabeth II was its head of state. The rules for who would become Queen were the same as for the British throne.

No.	Picture	Monarch (Born–Died)	Time as Queen			Royal Family	Prime Minister
			Started	Ended	How long
1	Queen Elizabeth II was Malta's head of state from 1964 to 1974.	Queen Elizabeth II (1926–2022)	21 September 1964	13 December 1974	10 years, 83 days	Windsor	Borg Olivier Mintoff

Governors-General of Malta

The Governor-General of Malta was the Queen's representative in Malta. This person carried out most of the Queen's duties. The Governor-General was chosen by the Queen based on advice from Malta's government. If the position was empty, the Chief Justice of Malta would temporarily take over.

What the colors mean

     This color means the Chief Justice was temporarily acting as Governor-General.

No.	Picture	Governor-General (Born–Died)	Time in office			Monarch	Prime Minister
			Started	Ended	How long
1	The Coat of arms of Malta.	Sir Maurice Dorman (1912–1993)	21 September 1964	22 June 1971	6 years, 274 days	Elizabeth II	Borg Olivier Mintoff
2	Sir Anthony Mamo was the last Governor-General of Malta.	Sir Anthony Mamo (1909–2008)	22 June 1971	5 July 1971	3 years, 174 days		Mintoff
			5 July 1971	13 December 1974

Presidents of the Republic of Malta (1974–present)

In 1974, Malta became a republic. This meant the role of the British Monarch as head of state was replaced by the President of Malta. The President is chosen by the Parliament for a five-year term. Since 1989, new Presidents usually start their term on April 4th. If the President cannot do their job, an Acting President is chosen by the Prime Minister. If no one is chosen, the Chief Justice acts as President.

Political parties

     Labour Party      Nationalist Party     Independent

What the colors mean

     This color means the person was an Acting President.

No.	Picture	President (Born–Died)	Elected	Time in office			Political party	Prime minister
				Started	Ended	How long
1	Sir Anthony Mamo became Malta's first President.	Sir Anthony Mamo (1909–2008)	1974	13 December 1974	27 December 1976	2 years, 14 days	Independent	Mintoff
2	Anton Buttigieg was the second President of Malta.	Anton Buttigieg (1912–1983)	1976	27 December 1976	27 December 1981	5 years	Labour Party	Mintoff
—	Albert Hyzler served as Acting President.	Albert Hyzler (1916–1993)	—	27 December 1981	15 February 1982	50 days	Labour Party	Mintoff
3	Agatha Barbara was Malta's first female President.	Agatha Barbara (1923–2002)	1982	15 February 1982	15 February 1987	5 years	Labour Party	Mintoff Mifsud Bonnici
—	Paul Xuereb served as Acting President.	Paul Xuereb (1923–1994)	—	15 February 1987	4 April 1989	2 years, 48 days	Labour Party	Mifsud Bonnici Fenech Adami
4	Ċensu Tabone was the fourth President.	Ċensu Tabone (1913–2012)	1989	4 April 1989	4 April 1994	5 years	Nationalist Party	Fenech Adami
5	Ugo Mifsud Bonnici served as President from 1994 to 1999.	Ugo Mifsud Bonnici (born 1932)	1994	4 April 1994	4 April 1999	5 years	Nationalist Party	Fenech Adami Sant Fenech Adami
6	Guido de Marco was President from 1999 to 2004.	Guido de Marco (1931–2010)	1999	4 April 1999	4 April 2004	5 years	Nationalist Party	Fenech Adami Gonzi
7	Eddie Fenech Adami served as President after being Prime Minister.	Eddie Fenech Adami (born 1934)	2004	4 April 2004	4 April 2009	5 years	Nationalist Party	Gonzi
8	George Abela was President from 2009 to 2014.	George Abela (born 1948)	2009	4 April 2009	4 April 2014	5 years	Labour Party	Gonzi Muscat
9	Marie-Louise Coleiro Preca was Malta's second female President.	Marie-Louise Coleiro Preca (born 1958)	2014	4 April 2014	4 April 2019	5 years	Labour Party	Muscat
10	George Vella served as President from 2019 to 2024.	George Vella (born 1942)	2019	4 April 2019	4 April 2024	5 years	Labour Party	Muscat Abela
11		Myriam Spiteri Debono (born 1952)	2024	4 April 2024	Incumbent	1 year, 82 days	Labour Party	Abela

Standards

These are the official flags used by the heads of state in Malta.

• 

  Royal standard used by the Queen of Malta.

• 

  Flag of the Governor-General of Malta.

• 

  Flag of the President of Malta.

See also

• List of governors of Malta
• List of prime ministers of Malta