| Tenure | Incumbent | Political Affiliation |
| Autonomous Malagasy Republic |
| 1 May 1959 – 26 June 1960 | Philibert Tsiranana, President | Social Democratic Party (PSD) |
| Malagasy Republic (Independent State) |
| 26 June 1960 – 11 October 1972 | Philibert Tsiranana, President | Social Democratic Party (PSD) |
| 11 October 1972 – 5 February 1975 | Gabriel Ramanantsoa, Head of State | Military |
| 5 February 1975 – 11 February 1975 | Richard Ratsimandrava, Head of State | Military |
| 12 February 1975 – 15 June 1975 | Gilles Andriamahazo, Chairman of the National Military Leadership Committee | Military |
| 15 June 1975 – 30 December 1975 | Didier Ratsiraka, Chairman of the Supreme Revolutionary Council | Military |
| Democratic Republic of Madagascar |
| 30 December 1975 – 4 January 1976 | Didier Ratsiraka, Chairman of the Supreme Revolutionary Council | Military |
| 4 January 1976 – 12 September 1992 | Didier Ratsiraka, President | Vanguard of the Malagasy Revolution (FNDR) |
| Republic of Madagascar |
| 12 September 1992 – 27 March 1993 | Didier Ratsiraka, President | Association for the Rebirth of Madagascar (AREMA) |
| 27 March 1993 – 5 September 1996 | Albert Zafy, President | National Union for Democracy and Development (UNDD) |
| 5 September 1996 – 9 February 1997 | Norbert Ratsirahonana, interim President | Judged By Your Work Party (AVI) |
| 9 February 1997 – 5 July 2002 | Didier Ratsiraka, President1 | Association for the Rebirth of Madagascar (AREMA) |
| 22 February 2002 – 17 March 2009 | Marc Ravalomanana, President2 | I Love Madagascar (TIM) |
| 17 March 2009 – Present | Andry Rajoelina, President of the High Transitional Authority3 | Young Malagasies Determined (TGV) |