The Turkish Presidential Office released a book titled "History of Presidency" to commemorate the 125th anniversary of the birth of Mustafa Kemal Atatürk, founder and first president of Türkiye. The publication compiles notable records and biographical details about every person who has held the country's highest office.
Atatürk served the longest presidential tenure, holding office from 1923 to 1938, a span of 15 years. Turgut Özal had the shortest tenure at three years and five months. Both Atatürk and Özal died while still in office.
Before reaching the presidency, Türkiye's leaders held a range of senior posts. Atatürk had served as parliamentary speaker; İsmet İnönü, Celal Bayar, Özal, and Süleyman Demirel each served as prime minister; and Ahmet Necdet Sezer was chief judge of the Constitutional Court.
Demirel set records for international engagement, welcoming 229 high-level foreign guests and making 125 visits to 57 countries. Sezer and Özal ranked second and third in both categories. Atatürk made no foreign trips during his presidency. Across all administrations, Turkish presidents conducted 287 overseas visits, with Iran, Pakistan, and Romania each receiving 14 such visits, the highest totals for any single country.
Historical summary. TurkishPress restated this wire report, first published in May 2006, in its own words.