POLITICIANS from Marshall Islands

Top 7

The following people are considered by Pantheon to be the most legendary Marshallese Politicians of all time. This list of famous Marshallese Politicians is sorted by HPI (Historical Popularity Index), a metric that aggregates information on a biography’s online popularity.

1. Hilda Heine (b. 1951)

With an HPI of 57.86, Hilda Heine is the most famous Marshallese Politician.  Her biography has been translated into 42 different languages on wikipedia.

Hilda Cathy Heine (born 6 April 1951) is a Marshallese educator and politician. She has been serving as the president of the Marshall Islands since 2024, having previously served from 2016 to 2020. Heine was the first woman to lead any sovereign country in Micronesia and the first person from the Marshall Islands to earn a doctorate. Prior to entering politics, she worked as a teacher and counselor at Marshall Islands High School and then as a women's rights activist with her organization Women United Together Marshall Islands. Heine's political career began when she was elected to the Nitijeļā in 2011 and appointed Minister of Education. The legislature selected her for the presidency two weeks into the session in January 2016 after a motion of no confidence removed her predecessor, Casten Nemra. Her defection to the opposition alongside her two sons, also legislators, was pivotal in Nemra's removal. After becoming president, Heine became active in the international politics surrounding climate change. She survived a motion of no confidence in 2018 following a dispute regarding the designation of Rongelap Atoll, with later investigation determining that some of her opponents in this motion had been bribed by developers who wished to use the atoll. Heine was removed from the presidency in January 2020 when the legislature voted in favor of David Kabua. Over the following years she served as a board member of the East–West Center and pro-chancellor of the University of the South Pacific in addition to her role as a legislator. Heine returned to the presidency in 2024 after defeating Kabua in the selection process.

2. David Kabua (b. 1951)

With an HPI of 53.99, David Kabua is the 2nd most famous Marshallese Politician.  His biography has been translated into 27 different languages.

David Kabua (born 1951) is a Marshallese politician who served as President of the Marshall Islands from 2020 to 2024. He has represented Wotho Atoll in the Legislature of the Marshall Islands since 2008 and served terms as Minister of Health and Internal Affairs.

3. Amata Kabua (1928 - 1996)

With an HPI of 52.22, Amata Kabua is the 3rd most famous Marshallese Politician.  His biography has been translated into 30 different languages.

Iroijlaplap Amata Kabua (November 17, 1928 – December 19, 1996) was the first President of the Marshall Islands from 1979 until his death in 1996 (five consecutive terms).

4. Litokwa Tomeing (1939 - 2020)

With an HPI of 50.42, Litokwa Tomeing is the 4th most famous Marshallese Politician.  His biography has been translated into 25 different languages.

Iroij Litokwa Tomeing (14 October 1939 – 12 October 2020) was the President of the Marshall Islands from January 2008 until October 2009.

5. Christopher Loeak (b. 1952)

With an HPI of 47.45, Christopher Loeak is the 5th most famous Marshallese Politician.  His biography has been translated into 34 different languages.

Iroijlaplap Christopher Jorebon Loeak (born 11 November 1952) is a Marshallese politician who was the President of the Marshall Islands from 2012 to 2016. He was elected by parliament as President in January 2012, following the 2011 general election.

6. Kessai Note (b. 1950)

With an HPI of 46.85, Kessai Note is the 6th most famous Marshallese Politician.  His biography has been translated into 25 different languages.

Kessai Hesa Note (born August 7, 1950, in Ailinglaplap) is a Marshallese politician who was President of the Marshall Islands from 2000 to 2008. Elected in 1979 alongside Litokwa Tomeing, Note is one of the two longest-serving members of Nitijeļā. He was the Minister of Internal affairs from 1985 to 1986, and Minister of Transportation and communications from 1986 to 1987. Having served as Speaker of the Nitijeļā since 1988, he was elected president in 2000. Note is the first commoner, rather than an Iroijlaplap or traditional chief, to be elected to the Presidency. He is a member of the United Democratic Party, and was reelected by parliament in January 2004, receiving 20 votes, while Justin deBrum received 9. On January 7, 2008, following the November 2007 general election, he was defeated in his bid for re-election in a vote of Parliament, receiving 15 votes against 18 for Litokwa Tomeing. Note is of Japanese-Marshallese descent, having inherited his Japanese heritage from his paternal grandfather. Note's grandfather was a native of Niigata Prefecture, and settled in the Marshall Islands during the Japanese colonial era and married a Marshallese wife. He was the Minister of Justice from 2020 to 2022. In February 2023, The Washington Post reported that Note is under investigation by the Marshall Islands' attorney general. In December 2023, the United States Department of State barred Note from entering the US under the Global Magnitsky Act for accepting bribes.

7. Jurelang Zedkaia (1950 - 2015)

With an HPI of 41.35, Jurelang Zedkaia is the 7th most famous Marshallese Politician.  His biography has been translated into 16 different languages.

Iroijlaplap Jurelang Zedkaia (13 July 1950 – 7 October 2015) was a Marshallese politician and Iroijlaplap. He served as the President of the Marshall Islands from 2009 to 2012. He was elected as the country's 5th head of state on October 26, 2009, following the ouster of his predecessor, Litokwa Tomeing, in the country's first successful vote of no confidence.