(last update: April, 2009)

The following is a list of female presidents and prime ministers who are presently in power.

"elected" refers to women leaders who were elected in democratic elections
"succeeded" refers to leaders who automatically assumed their position following the resignation or impeachment of a predecessor, and were thus not specifically elected to their post
"appointed" refers to leaders who were appointed to office by a ruling party or executive, and were thus not specifically elected to their post
Sometimes leaders who were originally appointed to office managed to win election. In such cases both dates are noted.

We are presently living in an era with an all-time record number of simultanious world leaders!

Near as I can tell, the previous highest-ever number of simultanious female world leaders was 13. It occured three times in all.
First in July of 2002 when Lativa, Finland, New Zealand, Ireland, Sri Lanka, The Philippines, Indonesia, Panama, Bangladesh, Sengal, São Tomé and Príncipe, and South Korea all had female leaders. Second in early April of 2006 with Ireland, New Zealand, Lativa, Finland, the Philippines, Bangledesh, Mozambique, Germany, Liberia, South Korea, Chile, Jamaica, and Sao Tomé and Príncipe. Thirdly in January-March 2007 with Ireland, New Zealand, Lativa, Finland, Philippines, Bangladesh, Mozambique, Germany, Liberia, Chile, Jamaica, Switzerland, and South Korea.

Monarchial or Vice-Regal Females in power

A few countries have reining female Queens, or, if they are a member of the British Commonwealth, a female Governor General representing Queen Elizabeth as Head of State.

Countries that used to have female presidents
(Chronological Order)

Can women make it on their own?

"wife" indicates leaders whose husband was also president at one time
"daughter" indicates leaders whose father was also president at one time

* though not a wife of a president, Ms. Aquino's political career was largely the result of her marriage to a very prominant senator, who was later assasinated.

Less than a year in Power:
(Acting, interim leaders, etc)

Countries that used to have female Prime Ministers:
(Chronological Order)

* Ms. Milka Planinc served as head of government in Yugoslavia's Communist regime. Élisabeth Domitién served under the dictatorship of the insane "Emperor" Bokassa. They are the only two only female leaders who ruled in non-democratic countries.

Less than a year in Power:
(Acting, interim leaders, etc)

SUMMARY:

Sri Lanka wins. Two women have served as Prime Minister of Sri Lanka, and one as President.
New Zealand, Bangledesh, Ireland, The Phillipines, Lithuania, Switzerland, São Tomé and Príncipe, and Finland also deserve credit for having two female leaders.

Light pink- acting heads of government / state, Dark pink- full-term heads of state / government

See also, female foreign ministers of the world.

email me: jjmccullough@gmail.com