# Xanana Gusmão

_Prime Minister and former President of East Timor_

Canonical: https://diginpl.com/people/xanana-gusmao
Last updated: 2026-11-07

> José Alexandre "Xanana" Gusmão is an East Timorese politician. He has served as the tenth prime minister of Timor-Leste since 2023, previously serving as the sixth prime minister from 2007 to 2015. A former rebel, he also served as East Timor's first president since its re-establishment of independence from 2002 to 2007.

## Quick facts

- **Born:** 20 June 1946 ([Wikidata](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q11509#P569))
- **Place of birth:** Laleia ([Wikidata](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q11509#P19))
- **Citizenship:** Portugal; Timor-Leste ([Wikidata](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q11509#P27))
- **Occupation:** politician; writer; head of government ([Wikidata](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q11509#P106))
- **Political party:** National Congress for Timorese Reconstruction; Revolutionary Front for an Independent East Timor ([Wikidata](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q11509#P102))
- **Spouse:** Kirsty Sword Gusmão ([Wikidata](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q11509#P26))
- **Positions held:** Prime Minister of East Timor (since 1 July 2023 · BS 16 Asar 2080 onwards); Prime Minister of East Timor (8 August 2007 – 16 February 2015); President of East Timor (20 May 2002 – 20 May 2007) ([Wikidata](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q11509#P39))
- **Awards:** Sakharov Prize; Félix Houphouët-Boigny Peace Prize; North–South Prize; Gwangju Prize for Human Rights; Sydney Peace Prize; Companion of the New Zealand Order of Merit; Grand Collar of the Order of Prince Henry; honorary doctorate of the University of Coimbra; honorary doctorate of the University of Porto; honorary doctor of the Hunan University; Order of Vanuatu; Grand Cross of the Order of Liberty; honorary doctor of Lusíada University; Grand Collar of the Order of the Southern Cross ([Wikidata](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q11509#P166))

## Questions

**When was Xanana Gusmão born?**  
Xanana Gusmão was born on 20 June 1946 in Laleia.

**What positions has Xanana Gusmão held?**  
Positions held by Xanana Gusmão include: Prime Minister of East Timor (since 1 July 2023); Prime Minister of East Timor (2007–2015); President of East Timor (2002–2007).

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## Sources

- [Wikipedia (English): Xanana Gusmão](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Xanana_Gusm%C3%A3o) — [CC BY-SA 4.0](https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/)
- [Wikidata item Q11509](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q11509) — [CC0 1.0](https://creativecommons.org/publicdomain/zero/1.0/)
- [Image: Xanana 2011.jpg by Antonio Cruz/ABr (CC BY 3.0)](https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Xanana_2011.jpg)

## Licence and attribution

Text from the Wikipedia article Xanana Gusmão, licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0. This page's text is shared under the same licence. Facts from Wikidata (CC0). Image: Xanana 2011.jpg — Antonio Cruz/ABr, CC BY 3.0.

## Cite this page

"Xanana Gusmão". DigiNepal. Last updated 7 November 2026. https://diginpl.com/people/xanana-gusmao. Retrieved 9 November 2026.