List of Presidents of Germany (1919-2025)

Germany is one of the most influential countries in Europe, with a complex political system including the president and the prime minister.

The German president is the head of state, serving ceremonies mainly in moral authority and limited executive power.

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From 1871, Germany was originally an imperial state or a German empire, which was ruled by monarchs such as William I, Friedrich III and William II until the German Revolution in 1918, when the German Empire changed its government from the monarchy. Form to the Republic.

After the revolution, the Weimar Republic came to power. The Weimar Constitution was proposed in August 1919, creating the position of the Imperial President.

This role was originally the head of the German country. However, when President Paul von Hindenburg died in August 1934, the post was not filled again.

Instead, Adolf Hitler served as the state president and head of the government, titled führerund Reichskanzler (leader and prime minister).

This change was later approved by a public vote. At the end of World War II, after Hitler committed suicide in April 1945, Karl Dönitz became president briefly based on Hitler’s final will. However, due to Germany’s surrender in May 1945, his presidency lasted only a few weeks.

Currently, Frank-Walter Steinmeier is the President of Germany, who has served in the office since March 19, 2017 and is serving the country.

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List of German Presidents in the Weimar Republic (1919-1933)

Friedrich Ebert was an outstanding member of the Social Democratic Party (SPD), becoming Germany’s first president, serving in 1919 until his death in 1925.

During his tenure, Hans Luther served as acting president for a brief period of 12 days in February 1925, ensuring continuity during the transition period. He was the Finance Minister and helped stabilize this goal during the period of excessive inflation in 1923.

Soon after, Walter Simons took over with acting abilities for 61 days, closing the gap until a new president was established.

In May 1925, Paul von Hindenburg was president. Hindenburg was a well-known military leader who was re-elected in 1932 and lasted until March 1933, having a lasting impact on the world political landscape of the two wars in Germany.

Reichspräsident	Take office	Left Office	Working hours	Party	election
Friedrich Ebert (1871-1925)	February 11, 1919	February 28, 1925	6 years 17 days	SPD	1919
Hans Luther (1879–1962) (Performance)	February 28, 1925	March 12, 1925	12 days	Independent	–
Walter Simons (1861–1937) (Performance)	March 12, 1925	May 12, 1925	61 days	Independent	–
Paul von Hindenburg (1847-1934)	May 12, 1925	March 21, 1933	7 years 313 days	Independent	1925, 1932

List of leaders in the Nazi German era (1933-1945)

Reichspräsident	Take office	Left Office	Working hours	Party	election
Paul von Hindenburg (1847-1934)	March 21, 1933	August 2, 1934	1 year 143 days	Independent	1925, 1932
Adolf Hitler (1889-1945) Führer and Reichskanzler	August 2, 1934	[April301945[1945年4月30日	10 years 271 days	NSDAP	–
Karl Dönitz (1891-1980)	[April301945[1945年4月30日	[May231945[1945年5月23日	23 days	NSDAP	–

1. Paulvon Hindenburg (1847-1934)

Paul von Hindenburg is a decorative German officer and politician. He was first elected as president in 1925 and was reelected in 1932 during a period of political instability. Despite his attempts to maintain control over German democracy, he eventually appointed Adolf Hitler as prime minister in 1933. His death on August 2, 1934, led to Hitler’s merger of the posts of president and prime minister, effectively ending it Reichspräsident.

2. Adolf Hitler (1889-1945)

Adolf Hitler, leader of the Nazi Party (NSDAP), after Hindenburg’s death, he took complete control of Germany. He abolished the president and declared himself Führer and Reichskanzler (Leader and Prime Minister). His rule led to World War II and the Holocaust. He was the absolute dictator of Germany until April 30, 1945, when he died of suicide because Germany was defeated in the war.

3. Karl Dönitz (1891–1980)

Navy commander and Hitler’s designated successor Karl Dönitz briefly became the German head of state after Hitler’s death. His role lasted only 23 days (30 April to 23 May 1945), during which time he attempted to negotiate peacefully with the allies. His arrest on May 23, 1945 marked the official collapse of Nazi Germany.

List of German Presidents in the Democratic Republic of Germany (East Germany) (1949-1990)

Name	Take office	Left Office	Working hours	Party
Wilhelm Pieck (1876–1960)	See more : Optical Illusion: Find the Feather within 12 seconds if you have a powerful vision October 11, 1949	September 7, 1960	10 years, 332 days	sed
Johannes Dickman (1893–1969) (Performance)	September 7, 1960	September 12, 1960	5 days	LDPD
Walter Ulbricht (1893-1973)	September 12, 1960	August 1, 1973	12 years 323 days	sed
Friedrich Ebert Jr. (1894-1979) (Performance)	August 1, 1973	October 3, 1973	63 days	sed
Willie Stowe (1914-1999)	October 3, 1973	October 29, 1976	3 years 26 days	sed
Erich Honecker (1912–1994)	October 29, 1976	October 18, 1989 (resignation)	12 years 354 days	sed
Egon Krenz (born 1937)	October 18, 1989	December 6, 1989 (resignation)	49 days	sed
Manfred Gerlach (1928-2011)	December 6, 1989	April 5, 1990 (Office Abolished)	120 days	LDPD
Sabine Bergmann-Pohl (born 1946)	April 5, 1990	October 2, 1990 (Office Abolished)	180 days	CDU

1. WilhelmPieck (1949-1960)

Wilhelm Pieck is the first and only president of East Germany (Democratic Republic of Germany, GDR). Members of the Socialist Unity Party (sed), he helped build East Germany into a communist country under the influence of the Soviet Union. After his death in 1960, the President’s Office was abolished and replaced by the State Department.

2. Johannes Dickman (Acting, 1960)

After Pieck’s death, Johannes Dieckmann was only five days before transitioning to the new system. He is LDPD (Liberal Democrats).

President of the State Assembly (1960-1990)

3. Walter Ulbricht (1960-1973)

Walter Ulbricht was actually the first president of the state head of parliament. He played a key role in construction Berlin Wall In 1961, East Germany and Soviet policies were kept in line. He remained in power until his death in 1973.

4. FriedrichEbert Jr. (Agent, 1973)

The son of former German President Friedrich Ebert, who briefly served as acting chairman for 63 days after Ulbricht’s death.

5. WilliStoph (1973-1976)

Willi stopped taking over as chairman, but only served for three years. His rule was less influential, as the Communist leader Erich Honecker still had real power.

6. ErichHonecker (1976-1989)

Erich Honecker is the most powerful leader in East Germany, and has ruled for nearly 13 years. He strengthened his ties with the Soviet Union and put strict control over the country. But growing protests and political pressure forced him to resign in 1989.

7. Egon Krenz (1989)

Egon Krenz replaced Honecker, but East Germany began to collapse after only 49 days as the Berlin Wall collapsed. He resigned in December 1989.

8. Manfred Gerlach (1989-1990)

Manfred Gerlach became the last head of state in East Germany before reunification. He served for 120 days and oversees the transition to democracy.

President of the People’s Conference Hall (1990)

9. Sabine Bergmann-Pohl (1990)

Sabine Bergmann-Pohl becomes head of East German Parliament (Volkskammer) and its last official leader. She stayed for 180 days before Germany was reunified on October 3, 1990, marking the end of East Germany.

List of Presidents of the Federal Republic of Germany (1949 to the previous word)

government	Take office	Left Office	Working hours	Party	election
Theodor Heuss (1884-1963)	September 12, 1949	September 12, 1959	10 years	FDP	1949, 1954
Heinrich Lübke (1894-1972)	September 13, 1959	June 30, 1969 (resignation)	9 years 290 days	CDU	1959, 1964
Gustav Heinemann (1899-1976)	July 1, 1969	June 30, 1974	4 years 364 days	SPD	1969
Walter Scheel (1919-2016)	See more : Optical Illusion: If you have Hawk Eyes find the Word Mango in 20 Secs July 1, 1974	June 30, 1979	4 years 364 days	FDP	1974
Karl Carstens (1914-1992)	July 1, 1979	June 30, 1984	4 years 365 days	CDU	1979
Richard von Weizsäcker (1920-2015)	July 1, 1984	June 30, 1994	9 years 364 days	CDU	1984, 1989
Rome Herzog (1934-2017)	July 1, 1994	June 30, 1999	4 years 364 days	CDU	1994
Johannes Law (1931–2006)	July 1, 1999	June 30, 2004	4 years 365 days	SPD	1999
Horst Köhler (1943–2025)	July 1, 2004	May 31, 2010 (resignation)	5 years 334 days	CDU	2004, 2009
Jens Böhrnsen (b. 1949)	May 31, 2010	June 30, 2010	30 days	SPD	–
Christian Wulff (born 1959)	June 30, 2010	February 17, 2012 (resignation)	1 year 232 days	CDU	2010
Horst Seehofer (born 1949)	February 17, 2012	March 18, 2012	30 days	CSU	–
Joachim Gauck (born 1940)	March 18, 2012	March 18, 2017	5 years	Independent	2012
Frank-Walter Steinmeier (born 1956)	March 19, 2017	Current	7 years 341 days	SPD	2017, 2022

1. TheodorHeuss (1949-1959)

Theodor Heuss was the first president of West Germany after World War II. He played a key role in rebuilding the country and strengthening democracy. His leadership helped build the foundations of modern Germany. From 1949 to 1959, he served for two terms, serving as a member of the Liberal Democratic Party (FDP).

2. Heinrich Lübke (1959-1969)

Lübke is a member of the Christian Democratic Union (CDU) and served as president for nearly a decade. His presidency was in the early stages of economic growth and the Cold War. However, he resigned in 1969 due to health problems.

3. GustavHeinemann (1969-1974)

Heinemann is a Social Democratic Party (SPD) leader known for his strong commitment to democracy and peace. He promoted reconciliation with Eastern European countries and supported German civil rights.

4. Walter Scheel (1974-1979)

Scheel from the FDP is the first German president to visit China. He focuses on international relations and promotes West Germany as a global player. His term achieved economic stability and diplomatic progress.

5. Karl Carstens (1979-1984)

CDU leader Carstens is known for his efforts to strengthen West Germany’s global position. He traveled extensively to different parts of the country to connect with people and understand their concerns.

6. Richard VonWeizsäcker (1984-1994)

CDU leader Weizsäcker is considered one of Germany’s most respected presidents. He is known for his speech on May 8, 1985, where he called the end of World War II a “liberation day” in Germany. His tenure covered the historical decline of the Berlin Wall and the unification of Germany.

7. Roman Herzog (1994-1999)

Herzog, a CDU politician, emphasized educational reforms and technological advancements. His presidency was to modernize Germany’s economy and prepare for the 21st century.

8. Johannes Law (1999-2004)

Rau from SPD focuses on social justice and reconciliation. His famous slogan is “reconciliation rather than division” and he strives to build bridges between different communities in Germany.

9. Horst Köhler (2004-2010)

CDU leader Köhler was a former International Monetary Fund (IMF) official. He focuses on economic policy and international cooperation. He resigned in 2010 after comments on Germany’s military role abroad.

10. Christian Wuulff (2010-2012)

Wolff was also from the CDU, and was then the youngest president of Germany. His presidency was brief due to an economic scandal that led to his resignation in 2012.

11. JoachimGauck (2012–2017)

Gauck is an independent president with a background in human rights activism. He is known for advocating democracy, freedom and social justice.

12.

SPD politician Steinmeier has been the president of Germany since 2017. He is known for his diplomatic attitude to promote European unification and strengthen Germany’s global influence. He was re-elected in 2022.

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Category: Optical Illusion