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ECB presidents

Four people have been President of the European Central Bank since 1998. Christine Lagarde has held the post since 1 November 2019; her term ends on 31 October 2027.

The full list

The first two, 1998 to 2011 2

The first President led the bank through the euro’s launch; the second through the global financial crisis.

• Wim Duisenberg1998–2003
• Jean-Claude Trichet2003–2011

Since 2011 2

The President through the euro area sovereign debt crisis, and the incumbent, appointed in 2019.

• Mario Draghi2011–2019
• Christine Lagarde2019–

Not on the list

• Alexandre Lamfalussy: First President of the European Monetary Institute, the ECB’s forerunner.
• Vice-Presidents (e.g. Boris Vujčić, since 2026): Vice-President is a different office.

Questions

How many presidents has the European Central Bank had?

Four people have been President of the European Central Bank since 1998. Christine Lagarde has held the post since 1 November 2019; her term ends on 31 October 2027.

Which presidents are on the list?

Wim Duisenberg, Jean-Claude Trichet, Mario Draghi and Christine Lagarde.

What is an easy way to remember them?

Dutch, French, Italian, French: Duisenberg, Trichet, Draghi, Lagarde.

More lists

Each name checked against at least two sources, one of them ECB, on 1 October 2026. Next review by 1 January 2027.
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