Since its establishment in 1956, the Gulbenkian Foundation has had five presidents. The first was José de Azeredo Perdigão (1956 – 1993), followed by António Ferrer Correia (1993 – 1998), Victor Sá Machado (1998 – 2002), Emílio Rui Vilar (2002 – 2012), Artur Santos Silva (2012 – 2017) and Isabel Mota (2017 – 2022). Mikael Essayan, grandson of Calouste Sarkis Gulbenkian, was appointed Honorary President of the Gulbenkian Foundation.

José de Azeredo Perdigão

President (1956 – 1993)

António Ferrer Correia

President (1993 – 1998)

Victor Sá Machado

President (1998 – 2002)

Emílio Rui Vilar

President (2002 – 2012)

Artur Santos Silva

President (2012 – 2017)

Isabel Mota

President (2017 – 2022)

Mikhael Essayan

Honorary Chairman (1992 – 2012)