Fiji was proclaimed a republic on 7 October 1987, upon the abdication of Queen Elizabeth II following two military coups. Major-General Sitiveni Rabuka, who had masterminded the coups, formed an interim administration, exercising the powers of the presidency but without taking the title, styling himself Head of the Interim Military Government instead. On 5 December that year, the last Governor General, Ratu Sir Penaia Ganilau, was appointed the first President.

In the constitutional upheaval of 2000, following the forced resignation of President Ratu Sir Kamisese Mara on 29 May, Commodore Frank Bainimarama styled himself Head of the Interim Military Government (as had Rabuka in 1987), until Ratu Josefa Iloilo was appointed President on 13 July.

Head of the Interim Military Government

• Major-General Sitiveni Rabuka : 7 October 1987 - 5 December 1987
  

President
1. Ratu Sir Penaia Ganilau : 5 December 1987 - 15 December 1993†
2. Ratu Sir Kamisese Mara : 16 December 1993 - 29 May 2000‡

Head of the Interim Military Government

• Commodore Frank Bainimarama : 29 May 2000 - 13 July 2000
  

President
3. Ratu Josefa Iloilo : 13 July 2000-present

† died in office ‡ deposed

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