List of Presidents of Liberia: Past and Present

Last updated November 2026

This page lists the presidents and heads of state of Liberia from 1848 to the present, with the years each leader was in office and a short summary of their time in power. Use it to find the current president of Liberia, former leaders, and key dates in the country's political history.

Current president of Liberia: Joseph Boakai (in office since 2024).

Presidents of Liberia in order, with years in office

Joseph Jenkins Roberts

Served: 1848–1856, 1872–1876

First president of Liberia, born in Virginia, who served two separate spells.

Stephen Allen Benson

Served: 1856–1864

Born in Maryland; succeeded Roberts and served until January 1864.

Daniel Bashiel Warner

Served: 1864–1868

President from January 1864 to January 1868.

James Spriggs Payne

Served: 1868–1870, 1876–1878

Served two separate spells as president.

Edward James Roye

Served: 1870–1871

Deposed in October 1871.

James Skivring Smith

Served: 1871–1872

Vice president who completed Roye's term, from November 1871 to January 1872.

Anthony W. Gardiner

Served: 1878–1883

His 1878 election began 102 years of single-party rule by the True Whig Party; he resigned in January 1883.

Alfred Francis Russell

Served: 1883–1884

Vice president who succeeded Gardiner.

Hilary R. W. Johnson

Served: 1884–1892

Served from January 1884 to January 1892.

Joseph James Cheeseman

Served: 1892–1896

Died in office on 12 November 1896.

William D. Coleman

Served: 1896–1900

Vice president who succeeded Cheeseman and resigned on 11 December 1900.

Garretson W. Gibson

Served: 1900–1904

Served from December 1900 to January 1904.

Arthur Barclay

Served: 1904–1912

Served eight years; presidential terms were extended to four years in 1907.

Daniel Edward Howard

Served: 1912–1920

Served from January 1912 to January 1920.

Charles D. B. King

Served: 1920–1930

Resigned on 3 December 1930.

Edwin Barclay

Served: 1930–1944

Succeeded King after his resignation and served until January 1944.

William Tubman

Served: 1944–1971

Longest-serving president in Liberia's history; died in office on 23 July 1971.

William R. Tolbert Jr.

Served: 1971–1980

Vice president who became president in 1971; assassinated in the coup of 12 April 1980.

Samuel Doe

Served: 1980–1990

Seized power in the April 1980 coup that killed Tolbert and led the People's Redemption Council until he was sworn in as elected president on 6 January 1986; killed in September 1990.

Amos Sawyer

Served: 1990–1994

Led the Interim Government of National Unity during the first civil war.

David Kpormakpor

Served: 1994–1995

Chaired the transitional Council of State from March 1994 to September 1995.

Wilton Sankawulo

Served: 1995–1996

Professor who chaired the Council of State for one year.

Ruth Perry

Served: 1996–1997

Chaired the Council of State and was Liberia's first female head of state.

Charles Taylor

Served: 1997–2003

Former rebel leader elected in 1997 who resigned in August 2003.

Moses Blah

Served: 2003

Vice president who took over when Taylor resigned and served until October 2003.

Gyude Bryant

Served: 2003–2006

Chairman of the National Transitional Government until the 2005 election result took effect.

Ellen Johnson Sirleaf

Served: 2006–2018

Africa's first elected female head of state; served two terms.

George Weah

Served: 2018–2024

Former international football star who won the 2017 election.

Joseph Boakai

Served: 2024–present

Vice president under Sirleaf who was sworn in as president on 22 January 2024.

Frequently asked questions about the presidents of Liberia

Who is the current president of Liberia?

The current president of Liberia is Joseph Boakai, in office since 2024.

Who were the previous presidents of Liberia?

The presidents and heads of state of Liberia listed on this page, in order, are: Joseph Jenkins Roberts, Stephen Allen Benson, Daniel Bashiel Warner, James Spriggs Payne, Edward James Roye, James Skivring Smith, Anthony W. Gardiner, Alfred Francis Russell, Hilary R. W. Johnson, Joseph James Cheeseman, William D. Coleman, Garretson W. Gibson, Arthur Barclay, Daniel Edward Howard, Charles D. B. King, Edwin Barclay, William Tubman, William R. Tolbert Jr., Samuel Doe, Amos Sawyer, David Kpormakpor, Wilton Sankawulo, Ruth Perry, Charles Taylor, Moses Blah, Gyude Bryant, Ellen Johnson Sirleaf, George Weah, Joseph Boakai.

Who was the first president of Liberia?

Joseph Jenkins Roberts was the first president of Liberia, in office 1848–1856, 1872–1876.

Sources: Wikipedia, President of Liberia and list of presidents of Liberia; Archontology.org, Liberia: Heads of State (1980–2024) (checked Nov 2026). Complete list of presidents and transitional leaders since 1848, with the two non-consecutive spells (Roberts, Payne) shown in one entry each.. Last reviewed November 2026.

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