The Complete Guide to All Presidents of Czechoslovakia and the Czech Republic

President Liberator Tomas Garrigue Masaryk was chosen as the leader of the newly established state on 14 November 1918 while he was away. This choice was made through acclamation, meaning most people present showed their support and consent. He defended his position as president in the years 1920, 1927, and 1934. However, due to health problems, he stepped down from the presidency the following year, and Edvard Beneš took over.

During World War II, the presidency was held by Emil Hácha during the time of the Protectorate. After the war, Beneš returned to his position. In 1948, Klement Gottwald became president, and upon his death in 1953, Antonín Zápotocký succeeded him. Then in 1957, Antonín Novotný took office and resigned in 1968. Next in line was Ludvík Svoboda, who also had to resign like Masaryk because of his health declining. In 1975, Gustáv Husák became president. He served as the head of state during the Velvet Revolution in November 1989, but resigned from his position on 10 December 1989 due to pressure from the Civic Forum.

After him, Václav Havel stepped into the role and became the last president of Czechoslovakia as well as the first president of the Czech Republic following the split of Czechoslovakia and the formation of an independent Czech Republic in 1993. He held office for two terms at Prague Castle, the maximum allowed by the Constitution. In 2003, Václav Klaus took over, and after a decade, he was succeeded by Miloš Zeman. Most recently, Petr Pavel won the presidential election in 2023. He is set to officially take his place in office on Thursday, 9 March 2023.