List of heads of state of Mexico facts for kids
The Head of State of Mexico is the top leader of the country. According to the Constitution, this leader is the President of the United Mexican States. The president is in charge of making sure the country's laws are followed.
Over its long history, Mexico has been led in different ways. Sometimes it was a republic with a president, and other times it was an empire ruled by an Emperor of Mexico. This list shows all the different leaders Mexico has had.
Mexico's history in the 1800s and early 1900s was full of changes. Because of this, many presidents did not finish their full time in office. This list includes all types of leaders, even those who led during civil wars or were part of temporary group governments.
Contents
- First Mexican Empire (1821–1823)
- Provisional Government (1823–1824)
- First Federal Republic (1824–1835)
- Centralist Republic (1835–1846)
- Second Federal Republic (1846–1863)
- Second Mexican Empire (1863–1867)
- Restored Republic (1867–1876)
- Porfiriato (1876–1911)
- Revolution (1911–1928)
- Maximato (1928–1934)
- Modern Mexico (1934–present)
- Presidents Who Died in Office
- Timeline
- See also
First Mexican Empire (1821–1823)
After Mexico won its independence from Spain, it was first ruled by a group of leaders called a "regency" before becoming an empire.
First Regency
A regency is a group of people who govern a country when there is no monarch. This was Mexico's first government after independence.
Members | Term of office | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Portrait | Name | Took office | Left office | Tenure |
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Juan O'Donojú | 28 September 1821 | 8 October 1821 (died) |
10 days |
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Agustín de Iturbide | 28 September 1821 | 11 April 1822 | 195 days |
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Manuel de la Barcéna | 28 September 1821 | 11 April 1822 | |
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José Isidro Yañez | 28 September 1821 | 11 April 1822 | |
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Manuel Velázquez de León | 28 September 1821 | 11 April 1822 | |
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Antonio Pérez Martínez | 9 October 1821 | 11 April 1822 | 184 days |
Second Regency
A new group of leaders took over for a short time before Agustín de Iturbide was named Emperor.
Members | Term of office | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Portrait | Name | Took office | Left office | Tenure |
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Agustín de Iturbide | 11 April 1822 | 18 May 1822 | 37 days |
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José Isidro Yañez | 11 April 1822 | 18 May 1822 | |
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Miguel Valentín | 11 April 1822 | 18 May 1822 | |
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Manuel de Heras | 11 April 1822 | 18 May 1822 | |
Nicolás Bravo | 11 April 1822 | 18 May 1822 |
Emperor Agustín I
Agustín de Iturbide, a key general in the war for independence, became the first and only emperor of the First Mexican Empire.
Portrait | Name (Birth–Death) |
Reign | Royal house | Coat of arms | ||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Reign start | Reign end | Duration | ||||
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Agustín I (1783–1824) |
19 May 1822 | 19 March 1823 | 304 days | Iturbide | ![]() |
Provisional Government (1823–1824)
After Emperor Agustín I left power, a temporary government was formed. Its job was to prepare Mexico to become a republic with a president. This group of leaders governed together.
Head of State | Term of office | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Portrait | Name | Took office | Left office | Tenure |
Nicolás Bravo | 31 March 1823 | 10 October 1824 | 1 year, 193 days | |
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Guadalupe Victoria | 31 March 1823 | 10 October 1824 | |
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Pedro Celestino Negrete | 31 March 1823 | 10 October 1824 | |
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José Mariano Michelena | 1 April 1823 | 10 October 1824 | 1 year, 192 days |
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Miguel Domínguez | 1 April 1823 | 10 October 1824 | |
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Vicente Guerrero | 1 April 1823 | 10 October 1824 |
First Federal Republic (1824–1835)
Mexico became a republic, and its leaders were now called presidents. This was a time of great political change, and many presidents served for only a short time.
No. | Portrait | Name (Birth–Death) |
Term of office | Political party | Vice President | Notes | ||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Took office | Left office | Tenure | ||||||
1 | ![]() |
Guadalupe Victoria (1786–1843) |
10 October 1824 | 31 March 1829 | 4 years, 172 days | Independent | Nicolás Bravo (1824-1827) | He was the first elected President of Mexico and the only one to complete his full term for nearly 30 years. |
2 | ![]() |
Vicente Guerrero (1782–1831) |
1 April 1829 | 17 December 1829 | 260 days | Liberal Party | Anastasio Bustamante | Congress chose him to be president after the elected president stepped down. |
3 | José María Bocanegra (1787–1862) |
17 December 1829 | 23 December 1829 | 6 days | Popular York Rite Party (part of the Liberal Party) |
Anastasio Bustamante | He was a temporary president while President Guerrero was away fighting a rebellion. | |
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Vélez–Quintanar–Alaman (Triumvirate) |
23 December 1829 | 31 December 1829 | 8 days | Liberal Party (Vélez) Independent (Quintanar and Alamán) |
Anastasio Bustamante | A group of three leaders (a triumvirate) who governed for a very short time. | |
4 | ![]() |
Anastasio Bustamante (1780–1853) |
1 January 1830 | 13 August 1832 | 2 years, 225 days | Conservative Party | Himself | As Vice President, he took over the presidency after President Guerrero was removed from power. |
5 | ![]() |
Melchor Múzquiz (1788–1844) |
14 August 1832 | 24 December 1832 | 132 days | Popular York Rite Party (part of the Liberal Party) |
Anastasio Bustamante | He was a temporary president while President Bustamante was away fighting a rebellion. |
6 | ![]() |
Manuel Gómez Pedraza (1789–1851) |
24 December 1832 | 31 March 1833 | 97 days | Federalist York Rite Party (part of the Liberal Party) |
Vacant | He was the winner of the 1828 election and finally took office to finish the term. |
7 | Valentín Gómez Farías (1781–1858) |
1 April 1833 | 16 May 1833 | 45 days | Liberal Party | Himself | As Vice President, he took over when President Santa Anna was not in charge. | |
8 | ![]() |
Antonio López de Santa Anna (1794–1876) |
16 May 1833 | 3 June 1833 | 18 days | Liberal Party | Valentín Gómez Farías | He was elected president. He and his Vice President, Gómez Farías, took turns leading the country several times. |
(7) | Valentín Gómez Farías (1781–1858) |
3 June 1833 | 18 June 1833 | 15 days | Liberal Party | Himself | ||
(8) | ![]() |
Antonio López de Santa Anna (1794–1876) |
18 June 1833 | 5 July 1833 | 17 days | Liberal Party | Valentín Gómez Farías | |
(7) | Valentín Gómez Farías (1781–1858) |
5 July 1833 | 27 October 1833 | 114 days | Liberal Party | Himself | ||
(8) | ![]() |
Antonio López de Santa Anna (1794–1876) |
27 October 1833 | 15 December 1833 | 49 days | Liberal Party | Valentín Gómez Farías | |
(7) | Valentín Gómez Farías (1781–1858) |
16 December 1833 | 24 April 1834 | 129 days | Liberal Party | Himself | He made changes that upset some groups. Santa Anna returned to power and Gómez Farías had to leave the country. | |
(8) | ![]() |
Antonio López de Santa Anna (1794–1876) |
24 April 1834 | 27 January 1835 | 278 days | Conservative Party | Valentín Gómez Farías | He reversed the changes made by Gómez Farías. |
9 | ![]() |
Miguel Barragán (1789–1836) |
28 January 1835 | 27 February 1836 | 1 year, 30 days | Conservative Party | Vacant | He became temporary president. During his time, the government changed from a federal republic to a centralist one. |
Centralist Republic (1835–1846)
During this period, the government was changed so that power was held more by the central government in Mexico City, rather than shared with the states.
No. | Portrait | Name (Birth–Death) |
Term of office | Political party | Notes | ||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Took office | Left office | Tenure | |||||
9 | ![]() |
Miguel Barragán (1789–1836) |
28 January 1835 | 27 February 1836 | 1 year, 30 days | Conservative Party | He had to leave office because he was very sick and died a few days later. |
10 | José Justo Corro (1794–1864) |
27 February 1836 | 19 April 1837 | 1 year, 51 days | Conservative Party | He was a temporary president. During his term, Spain officially recognized Mexico's independence. | |
(4) | ![]() |
Anastasio Bustamante (1780–1853) |
19 April 1837 | 18 March 1839 | 1 year, 333 days | Conservative Party | He was elected president for an eight-year term. |
(8) | ![]() |
Antonio López de Santa Anna (1794–1876) |
18 March 1839 | 10 July 1839 | 114 days | Conservative Party | He was appointed temporary president while Bustamante was away fighting rebellions. |
11 | Nicolás Bravo (1786–1854) |
11 July 1839 | 19 July 1839 | 8 days | Conservative Party | He served as a substitute president for a very short time when Santa Anna left office. | |
(4) | ![]() |
Anastasio Bustamante (1780–1853) |
19 July 1839 | 22 September 1841 | 2 years, 65 days | Conservative Party | He returned to his role as president. |
12 | Francisco Javier Echeverría (1797–1852) |
22 September 1841 | 10 October 1841 | 18 days | Conservative Party | He was a temporary president after Bustamante left to fight a rebellion led by Santa Anna. | |
(8) | ![]() |
Antonio López de Santa Anna (1794–1876) |
10 October 1841 | 26 October 1842 | 1 year, 16 days | Liberal Party | He was appointed temporary president by a board of representatives. |
(11) | Nicolás Bravo (1786–1854) |
26 October 1842 | 4 March 1843 | 129 days | Conservative Party | He was appointed substitute president by Santa Anna. | |
(8) | ![]() |
Antonio López de Santa Anna (1794–1876) |
4 March 1843 | 4 October 1843 | 214 days | Liberal Party | He returned to the presidency. |
13 | ![]() |
Valentín Canalizo (1794–1850) |
4 October 1843 | 4 June 1844 | 244 days | Conservative Party | He was appointed temporary president by Santa Anna. |
(8) | ![]() |
Antonio López de Santa Anna (1794–1876) |
4 June 1844 | 12 September 1844 | 100 days | Liberal Party | He returned to the presidency after being elected by Congress. |
14 | ![]() |
José Joaquín de Herrera (1792–1854) |
12 September 1844 | 21 September 1844 | 9 days | Liberal Party | He was appointed as a substitute president for a short time. |
(13) | ![]() |
Valentín Canalizo (1794–1850) |
21 September 1844 | 6 December 1844 | 76 days | Conservative Party | He returned to his role as temporary president. |
(14) | ![]() |
José Joaquín de Herrera (1792–1854) |
6 December 1844 | 30 December 1845 | 1 year, 24 days | Liberal Party | He became president after Canalizo was removed for trying to shut down Congress. |
15 | ![]() |
Mariano Paredes (1797–1849) |
31 December 1845 | 28 July 1846 | 209 days | Conservative Party | He took power from President De Herrera. |
Vice President Nicolás Bravo |
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(11) | Nicolás Bravo (1786–1854) |
28 July 1846 | 4 August 1846 | 7 days | Conservative Party | He took office when Paredes left to fight in the Mexican–American War. He was removed by a rebellion. | |
16 | ![]() |
José Mariano Salas (1797–1867) |
5 August 1846 | 23 December 1846 | 140 days | Conservative Party | He took power after a rebellion and brought back the federal system of government from 1824. |
Second Federal Republic (1846–1863)
Mexico returned to a federal system, where states had more power. This period included the Mexican-American War and led up to another major conflict, the Reform War.
No. | Portrait | Name (Birth–Death) |
Term of office | Political party | Notes | ||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Took office | Left office | Tenure | |||||
16 | ![]() |
José Mariano Salas (1797–1867) |
5 August 1846 | 23 December 1846 | 140 days | Conservative Party | After restoring the federal system, he called for elections, which Santa Anna won. |
(7) | Valentín Gómez Farías (1781–1858) |
23 December 1846 | 21 March 1847 | 88 days | Liberal Party | As vice president, he took office while Santa Anna was away fighting the Mexican–American War. | |
(8) | ![]() |
Antonio López de Santa Anna (1794–1876) |
21 March 1847 | 2 April 1847 | 12 days | Liberal Party | He returned to serve as president. |
Vice President Valentín Gómez Farías |
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17 | Pedro María de Anaya (1794–1854) |
2 April 1847 | 20 May 1847 | 48 days | Liberal Party | He was appointed substitute president when Santa Anna left again to fight in the war. | |
(8) | ![]() |
Antonio López de Santa Anna (1794–1876) |
20 May 1847 | 15 September 1847 | 118 days | Liberal Party | He returned to the presidency again during the war. |
18 | Manuel de la Peña y Peña (1789–1850) |
16 September 1847 | 13 November 1847 | 58 days | Conservative Party | As head of the Supreme Court, he became president after Santa Anna resigned. | |
(17) | Pedro María de Anaya (1794–1854) |
13 November 1847 | 8 January 1848 | 56 days | Liberal Party | He was appointed temporary president to help make peace with the United States. | |
(18) | Manuel de la Peña y Peña (1789–1850) |
8 January 1848 | 3 June 1848 | 147 days | Conservative Party | He returned to office and signed the Treaty of Guadalupe Hidalgo, which ended the war with the U.S. | |
(14) | ![]() |
José Joaquín de Herrera (1792–1854) |
3 June 1848 | 15 January 1851 | 2 years, 226 days | Liberal Party | He was the second president to finish his term and peacefully passed power to the next elected president. |
19 | ![]() |
Mariano Arista (1802–1855) |
15 January 1851 | 5 January 1853 | 1 year, 356 days | Liberal Party | He resigned when Congress would not give him special powers to stop a rebellion that wanted to bring Santa Anna back. |
20 | ![]() |
Juan Bautista Ceballos (1811–1859) |
6 January 1853 | 7 February 1853 | 32 days | Liberal Party | As head of the Supreme Court, he became temporary president after Arista resigned. |
21 | Manuel María Lombardini (1802–1853) |
8 February 1853 | 20 April 1853 | 71 days | Conservative Party | He was appointed temporary president after Ceballos resigned during a rebellion. | |
(8) | ![]() |
Antonio López de Santa Anna (1794–1876) |
20 April 1853 | 5 August 1855 | 2 years, 107 days | Conservative Party | He returned to power and ruled as a dictator, calling himself "His Serene Highness." |
22 | Martín Carrera (1806–1871) |
5 August 1855 | 12 September 1855 | 38 days | Conservative Party | He was appointed temporary president after a successful revolution against Santa Anna. | |
23 | Rómulo Díaz de la Vega (1800–1877) |
12 September 1855 | 3 October 1855 | 21 days | Conservative Party | He served as president after Carrera's resignation. | |
24 | Juan Álvarez (1790–1867) |
4 October 1855 | 11 December 1855 | 68 days | Liberal Party | He was appointed temporary president by a council of state representatives after the revolution. | |
25 | Ignacio Gregorio Comonfort de los Ríos (1812–1863) |
11 December 1855 | 17 December 1857 | 2 years, 6 days | Liberal Party | He was appointed temporary president by Juan Álvarez and later became the constitutional president. |
Reform War (1858–1860)
This was a civil war between two main groups: the Liberals, who wanted to reduce the power of the church, and the Conservatives, who wanted to keep traditions. During this time, Mexico had two rival presidents.
President Recognized by the Liberals
The Liberals, led by Benito Juárez, fought to defend the new Constitution of 1857.
No. | Portrait | Name (Birth–Death) |
Term of office | Political party | Notes | ||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Took office | Left office | Tenure | |||||
26 | ![]() |
Benito Juárez (1806–1872) |
18 December 1857 | 18 July 1872 (died) |
14 years, 213 days | Liberal Party | As head of the Supreme Court, he became president when Comonfort turned against the Constitution. He led the Liberal government during the Reform War. |
Presidents Recognized by the Conservatives
The Conservatives did not accept the new constitution and appointed their own presidents.
No. | Portrait | Name (Birth–Death) |
Term of office | Political party | Notes | ||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Took office | Left office | Tenure | |||||
(25) | Ignacio Gregorio Comonfort de los Ríos (1812–1863) |
17 December 1857 | 21 January 1858 | 35 days | Liberal Party | He was president but decided to go against the constitution he had supported. The Conservatives recognized him as president with full powers. | |
27 | ![]() |
Félix María Zuloaga (1813–1898) |
11 January 1858 | 24 December 1858 | 347 days | Conservative Party | After Comonfort left, the Conservative Party appointed Zuloaga as their president. |
28 | ![]() |
Manuel Robles Pezuela (1817–1862) |
24 December 1858 | 21 January 1859 | 28 days | Conservative Party | He took over the conservative presidency with the support of a new plan. |
(16) | ![]() |
José Mariano Salas (1797–1867) |
21 January 1859 | 2 February 1859 | 12 days | Conservative Party | He was briefly returned to the presidency during a counter-rebellion. |
29 | ![]() |
Miguel Miramón (1831–1867) |
2 February 1859 | 13 August 1860 | 1 year, 193 days | Conservative Party | He took over the conservative presidency as a substitute president. |
30 | José Ignacio Pavón (1791–1866) |
13 August 1860 | 15 August 1860 | 2 days | Conservative Party | As head of the conservative government's Supreme Court, he was president for only two days. | |
(29) | ![]() |
Miguel Miramón (1831–1867) |
15 August 1860 | 24 December 1860 | 131 days | Conservative Party | He returned as president but was defeated in a major battle, ending the war. |
Second Mexican Empire (1863–1867)
After the Reform War, France invaded Mexico. The French, with the help of Mexican Conservatives, established a new empire.
Regency
Before the new emperor arrived, a regency governed in his name.
Members | Term of office | Political party | |||
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Portrait | Name | Took office | Left office | Tenure | |
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Juan Nepomuceno Almonte | 11 July 1863 | 10 April 1864 | 274 days | Conservative Party |
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José Mariano Salas | 11 July 1863 | 10 April 1864 | ||
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Pelagio Antonio de Labastida | 11 July 1863 | 17 November 1863 | 129 days | |
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José Ignacio Pavón | 11 July 1863 | 2 January 1864 | 175 days | |
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Juan Bautista Ormaechea | 17 November 1863 | 10 April 1864 | 145 days |
Emperor Maximilian I
Maximilian, an Austrian archduke, was invited to become the Emperor of Mexico. His rule was not accepted by many Mexicans, including President Benito Juárez, who continued to lead a government in resistance.
Portrait | Name (Birth–Death) |
Reign | Royal house | Coat of arms | ||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Reign start | Reign ended | Duration | ||||
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Maximilian I (1832–1867) |
10 April 1864 | 19 June 1867 | 3 years, 70 days | Habsburg-Lorraine | ![]() |
Restored Republic (1867–1876)
After the defeat and execution of Emperor Maximilian, the republic was restored with Benito Juárez as president.
No. | Portrait | Name (Birth–Death) |
Elected | Term of office | Political party | Notes | ||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Took office | Left office | Tenure | ||||||
(26) | ![]() |
Benito Juárez (1806–1872) |
— | 18 December 1857 | 11 June 1861 | 14 years, 213 days | Liberal Party | Juárez led Mexico through the Reform War and the French invasion. He was re-elected several times and is one of Mexico's most famous presidents. He died in office. |
1861 | 11 June 1861 | 30 November 1865 | ||||||
— | 1 December 1865 | 30 November 1867 | ||||||
1867 | 1 December 1867 | 30 November 1871 | ||||||
1871 | 1 December 1871 | 18 July 1872 | ||||||
31 | ![]() |
Sebastián Lerdo de Tejada (1823–1889) |
— | 18 July 1872 | 30 November 1872 | 4 years, 155 days | Liberal Party | As head of the Supreme Court, he became president after Juárez died. He was later elected but was removed from power by a rebellion. |
1872 | 1 December 1872 | 20 November 1876 | ||||||
32 | ![]() |
José María Iglesias (1823–1891) |
— | 26 October 1876 | 28 November 1876 | 33 days | Liberal Party | As head of the Supreme Court, he declared himself president because he believed the election of Lerdo de Tejada was not fair. |
Porfiriato (1876–1911)
This long period is named after Porfirio Díaz, who ruled Mexico for over 30 years. It was a time of stability and economic growth, but also of little political freedom.
No. | Portrait | Name (Birth–Death) |
Elected | Term of office | Political party | Notes | ||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Took office | Left office | Tenure | ||||||
33 | ![]() |
Porfirio Díaz (1830–1915) |
— | 28 November 1876 | 6 December 1876 | 8 days | Liberal Party | He became temporary president after Iglesias left the country. |
34 | ![]() |
Juan N. Méndez (1824–1894) |
— | 6 December 1876 | 17 February 1877 | 73 days | Liberal Party | He was appointed substitute president by Díaz, who left to fight remaining opponents. |
(33) | ![]() |
Porfirio Díaz (1830–1915) |
1877 | 17 February 1877 | 30 November 1880 | 3 years, 287 days | Liberal Party | He returned to the presidency and was officially named president by Congress. |
35 | ![]() |
Manuel González Flores (1833–1893) |
1880 | 1 December 1880 | 30 November 1884 | 4 years | Liberal Party | He was a close ally of Díaz and served one term as president. |
(33) | ![]() |
Porfirio Díaz (1830–1915) |
1884 | 1 December 1884 | 25 May 1911 | 26 years, 175 days | National Porfirist Party National Reelectionist Party |
Díaz returned to power and was re-elected many times. He resigned in 1911 at the start of the Mexican Revolution. |
1888 | ||||||||
1892 | ||||||||
1896 | ||||||||
1900 | ||||||||
1904 | Vice President Ramón Corral (since 1904) |
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1910 |
Revolution (1911–1928)
The Mexican Revolution was a time of great conflict and change. Many leaders fought for control and to create a new government for Mexico.
- Political parties
Progressive Constitutionalist Party Independent
No. | Portrait | Name (Birth–Death) |
Elected | Term of office | Political party | Notes | ||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Took office | Left office | Tenure | ||||||
36 | ![]() |
Francisco León de la Barra (1863–1939) |
— | 25 May 1911 | 5 November 1911 | 164 days | Independent | He became temporary president after Díaz resigned and organized new elections. |
37 | ![]() |
Francisco I. Madero (1873–1913) |
1911 | 6 November 1911 | 19 February 1913 | 1 year, 95 days | Progressive Constitutionalist Party | He won the 1911 election. He was removed from power during a conflict known as the Ten Tragic Days and was killed shortly after. |
Vice President José María Pino Suárez |
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38 | ![]() |
Pedro Lascuráin (1856–1952) |
— | 19 February 1913 | About 45 minutes | Independent | He was president for less than an hour, the shortest term in world history. He was appointed only to name Victoriano Huerta to a cabinet post, and then he resigned. | |
39 | ![]() |
Victoriano Huerta (1850–1916) |
— | 19 February 1913 | 15 July 1914 | 1 year, 146 days | Independent | He took power from Madero. He was defeated by revolutionary armies led by Venustiano Carranza. |
40 | ![]() |
Francisco S. Carvajal (1870–1932) |
— | 15 July 1914 | 13 August 1914 | 29 days | Independent | He became temporary president after Huerta resigned. |
Presidents Recognized by the Convention of Aguascalientes
The revolutionary leaders met at the Convention of Aguascalientes but could not agree. This led to a split, with some leaders like Pancho Villa and Emiliano Zapata supporting one government, while Venustiano Carranza led another.
No. | Portrait | Name (Birth–Death) |
Term of office | Notes | ||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Took office | Left office | Tenure | ||||
41 | ![]() |
Eulalio Gutiérrez (1881–1939) |
6 November 1914 | 16 January 1915 | 71 days | He was appointed temporary president by the Convention. |
42 | Roque González Garza (1885–1962) |
16 January 1915 | 10 June 1915 | 145 days | He was appointed temporary president after Gutiérrez left Mexico City. | |
43 | ![]() |
Francisco Lagos Cházaro (1878–1932) |
10 June 1915 | 10 October 1915 | 122 days | He took over as temporary president when González Garza resigned. |
Constitutionalist Victory and New Constitution
The armies led by Venustiano Carranza, known as the Constitutionalists, won the war. A new constitution was written in 1917, which is still the constitution of Mexico today.
- Political parties
Liberal Constitutionalist Party Laborist Party
No. | Portrait | Name
(Birth–Death) |
Elected | Term of office | Political party | Notes | ||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Took office | Left office | Tenure | ||||||
44 | ![]() |
Venustiano Carranza (1859–1920) |
— | Head of the Executive Power First Chief of the Constitutional Army |
2 years, 260 days | Liberal Constitutionalist Party | He led the Constitutionalist army to victory and oversaw the writing of the 1917 Constitution. He was elected president but was killed during a rebellion. | |
13 August 1914 | 30 April 1917 | |||||||
1917 | President of Mexico | 3 years, 20 days | ||||||
1 May 1917 | 21 May 1920 | |||||||
45 | ![]() |
Adolfo de la Huerta (1881–1955) |
— | 1 June 1920 | 30 November 1920 | 182 days | Liberal Constitutionalist Party | He was one of the leaders of the rebellion against Carranza and was appointed temporary president by Congress. |
46 | ![]() |
Álvaro Obregón (1880–1928) |
1920 | 1 December 1920 | 30 November 1924 | 4 years | Laborist Party | A very successful general during the Revolution, he was elected president in 1920. |
47 | ![]() |
Plutarco Elías Calles (1877–1945) |
1924 | 1 December 1924 | 30 November 1928 | 4 years | Laborist Party | He was elected president in 1924. He later created a political party that would rule Mexico for many decades. |
Maximato (1928–1934)
After President-elect Álvaro Obregón was killed, former president Plutarco Elías Calles became the most powerful leader in Mexico. Even though other men were officially president, Calles was the one making the big decisions. This period is named after his title, Jefe Máximo (Maximum Chief).
- Political parties
No. | Portrait | Name (Birth–Death) |
Elected | Term of office | Political party | Notes | ||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Took office | Left office | Tenure | ||||||
48 | ![]() |
Emilio Portes Gil (1890–1978) |
— | 1 December 1928 | 4 February 1930 | 1 year, 65 days | National Revolutionary Party | He was appointed temporary president by Congress after President-elect Obregón was killed. |
49 | ![]() |
Pascual Ortiz Rubio (1877–1963) |
1929 | 5 February 1930 | 4 September 1932 | 2 years, 212 days | National Revolutionary Party | He was elected president but resigned because of the powerful influence of Calles. |
50 | ![]() |
Abelardo L. Rodríguez (1889–1967) |
— | 4 September 1932 | 30 November 1934 | 2 years, 87 days | National Revolutionary Party | He was appointed by Congress to finish the presidential term. |
Modern Mexico (1934–present)
Starting in 1934, the presidential term was changed to six years, called a sexenio. Presidents are not allowed to be re-elected. Since then, every president has completed their six-year term.
- Political parties
Institutional Revolutionary Party National Action Party National Regeneration Movement
No. | Portrait | Name (Birth–Death) |
Elected | Term of office | Political party | ||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Took office | Left office | Tenure | |||||
51 | ![]() |
Lázaro Cárdenas del Río (1895–1970) |
1934 | 1 December 1934 | 30 November 1940 | 6 years | National Revolutionary Party |
52 | ![]() |
Manuel Ávila Camacho (1897–1955) |
1940 | 1 December 1940 | 30 November 1946 | 6 years | Party of the Mexican Revolution |
53 | ![]() |
Miguel Alemán Valdés (1900–1983) |
1946 | 1 December 1946 | 30 November 1952 | 6 years | Institutional Revolutionary Party |
54 | ![]() |
Adolfo Ruiz Cortines (1889–1973) |
1952 | 1 December 1952 | 30 November 1958 | 6 years | Institutional Revolutionary Party |
55 | ![]() |
Adolfo López Mateos (1909–1969) |
1958 | 1 December 1958 | 30 November 1964 | 6 years | Institutional Revolutionary Party |
56 | ![]() |
Gustavo Díaz Ordaz (1911–1979) |
1964 | 1 December 1964 | 30 November 1970 | 6 years | Institutional Revolutionary Party |
57 | ![]() |
Luis Echeverría Álvarez (1922–2022) |
1970 | 1 December 1970 | 30 November 1976 | 6 years | Institutional Revolutionary Party |
58 | ![]() |
José López Portillo (1920–2004) |
1976 | 1 December 1976 | 30 November 1982 | 6 years | Institutional Revolutionary Party |
59 | ![]() |
Miguel de la Madrid Hurtado (1934–2012) |
1982 | 1 December 1982 | 30 November 1988 | 6 years | Institutional Revolutionary Party |
60 | ![]() |
Carlos Salinas de Gortari (born 1948) |
1988 | 1 December 1988 | 30 November 1994 | 6 years | Institutional Revolutionary Party |
61 | ![]() |
Ernesto Zedillo Ponce de León (born 1951) |
1994 | 1 December 1994 | 30 November 2000 | 6 years | Institutional Revolutionary Party |
62 | ![]() |
Vicente Fox Quesada (born 1942) |
2000 | 1 December 2000 | 30 November 2006 | 6 years | National Action Party |
63 | ![]() |
Felipe Calderón Hinojosa (born 1962) |
2006 | 1 December 2006 | 30 November 2012 | 6 years | National Action Party |
64 | ![]() |
Enrique Peña Nieto (born 1966) |
2012 | 1 December 2012 | 30 November 2018 | 6 years | Institutional Revolutionary Party |
65 | ![]() |
Andrés Manuel López Obrador (born 1953) |
2018 | 1 December 2018 | 30 September 2024 | 5 years, 304 days | National Regeneration Movement |
66 | ![]() |
Claudia Sheinbaum Pardo (born 1962) |
2024 | 1 October 2024 | Incumbent | 331 days | National Regeneration Movement |
Presidents Who Died in Office
President | Term of office | Date of death | Notes |
---|---|---|---|
Benito Juárez | 1857–1872 | 18 July 1872 (aged 66) | The only President of Mexico who died of natural causes while in office. |
Venustiano Carranza | 1914–1920 | 21 May 1920 (aged 60) | The only President of Mexico to be killed while in office. |
Timeline

See also
In Spanish: Anexo:Gobernantes de México para niños
- President of Mexico
- Emperor of Mexico
- First Lady of Mexico
- Politics of Mexico
- History of Mexico
- Aztec Empire
- Tenochtitlan
- List of Tenochtitlan rulers
- Tenochtitlan
- New Spain
- Aztec Empire