Fiji became a republic in 1987, when Queen Elizabeth II of the United Kingdom formally abdicated as Queen of Fiji, following two military coups led by Lieutenant Colonel Sitiveni Rabuka. The last Governor-General, Ratu Sir Penaia Ganilau, became the first President.

1. Sitiveni Rabuka (interim) : 7 October 1987 to 5 December 1987
2. Ratu Sir Penaia Ganilau : 5 December 1987 - 15 December 1993†
3. Ratu Sir Kamisese Mara : 16 December 1993 - 20 May 2000‡
4. Major General Frank Bainimarama (interim) : 29 May 2000 to 13 July 2000
5. Ratu Josefa Iloilo : 13 July 2000-present

† died in office ‡ deposed

Note: Rabuka and Bainimarama never held the presidential office constitutionally. They did, however, exercise all the functions of the office.