Burmese Presidents

by Hla Min

Updated : June 2025

Democratic Burma

• Sao Shwe Thaik (1948 – 1952)
  Nyaung Shwe (ညောင်ရွှေ Yaunghwe) Sawbwa
  First President of Burma; Burma gained Independence on January 4, 1948
• Dr. Ba U (1952 – 57)
  Author : “My Burma”; Claimed that he was the first President to be elected according to the Constitution

• Mahn Win Maung (1957-62)
  He was arrested along with the Cabinet Ministers and high ranking officials in March 2, 1962.

Notes

• Sama Duwa Sinwa Naung was President-Elect when the Coup d’etat took place on March 2, 1962.
• The 17-man Revolutionary Council was led by General Ne Win.

BSPP Era

• U Ne Win (1974 – 1981)

• U San Yu (1981 – 1988)

• Dr. Maung Maung (1988 – 1988)

• U Sein Lwin (1988 – 1988)

Notes

• A new Constitution enforced the One-Party System rule by BSPP from 1974 to 1988.
• There was a mass protest for Multi-party Democracy System (promised by U Ne Win).

Post 1988

• U Thein Sein (2011 – 2016)

• U Htin Kyaw (2016 – 2018)
  Retired citing medical problems

• U Win Myint (2018 – )
  Arrested on February 1, 2022 by Power Mongers

Notes

• Another Constitution, which was ratified shortly after the devastating Cyclone Nargis, empowered the quasi-military Government