Win Myint
Who was Win Myint?
Lawyer and politician who served as Myanmar's 10th President from 2018-2021 until being detained in the military coup.
Biographical data adapted from Wikipedia’s article on Win Myint (CC BY-SA 4.0).
Biography
Win Myint was born on November 8, 1951, in Danubyu, a town in Myanmar's Irrawaddy Region. He studied law at the University of Yangon, which later influenced his work in government and parliamentary processes. He is married to Cho Cho, and they are well-known figures in Myanmar's democratic political scene.
Win Myint became a key figure in the National League for Democracy, the party led by Aung San Suu Kyi, and was seen as one of her closest allies. In 2012, he was elected to Myanmar's lower house of parliament, the Pyithu Hluttaw. His rise in the NLD was due to his legal expertise and reputation for honesty. He served in parliament until 2018, establishing himself as a reliable advocate for democratic change.
In 2016, after the NLD's significant election win, Win Myint became Speaker of the House of Representatives, a position he held until 2018. As Speaker, he oversaw a parliament dealing with the challenges of a government operating under a constitution that still gave substantial power to the military. His time in this role showed his ability to handle the procedural and political challenges of Myanmar's move towards democracy.
In March 2018, Win Myint was elected Myanmar's tenth president, following Htin Kyaw's resignation for health reasons. Since the constitution prevented Aung San Suu Kyi from becoming president because her children have foreign citizenship, Win Myint's election was seen as a way to continue her leadership through someone she trusted. While president, Aung San Suu Kyi maintained executive authority as State Counsellor and Foreign Minister.
On February 1, 2021, the Myanmar military launched a coup, detaining Win Myint, Aung San Suu Kyi, and many other civilian leaders. The military declared a state of emergency and transferred power to commander-in-chief Min Aung Hlaing. Win Myint was faced with multiple criminal charges by the military government and was sentenced to prison. After spending around five years in detention, he was pardoned by Min Aung Hlaing in 2026.
Before Fame
Win Myint grew up in Danubyu during a time of major political upheaval in Myanmar, as the country transitioned from a parliamentary system to the authoritarian military rule established by General Ne Win after the 1962 coup. As he matured under a one-party socialist system, Win Myint studied law at the University of Yangon, one of the country's top institutions, during a period when professional careers offered few opportunities for political involvement.
His rise in prominence coincided with Myanmar's democratic movement. The 1988 mass uprising and the formation of the National League for Democracy opened up new political opportunities, and Win Myint joined Aung San Suu Kyi's movement. His legal background and steady dedication to democratic values made him a respected figure within the NLD as the party faced years of repression before finally competing in and winning elections under the limited reforms introduced after 2010.
Key Achievements
- Served as the tenth President of Myanmar from 2018 to 2021, representing the first full civilian-led government in decades
- Elected Speaker of the House of Representatives in 2016, overseeing parliamentary proceedings during a critical period of democratic transition
- Served as a member of parliament in the Pyithu Hluttaw from 2012 to 2018, contributing to legislative work under the NLD banner
- Became one of the most prominent political allies of Aung San Suu Kyi, helping to implement the NLD's governance agenda at the highest levels of government
- Continued to be recognized internationally as the legitimate president of Myanmar by pro-democracy groups following his unlawful removal in the 2021 military coup
Did You Know?
- 01.Win Myint was born in Danubyu, a historically significant town on the Irrawaddy River known as the site where resistance fighter Bandula died fighting British colonial forces in 1825.
- 02.He became President of Myanmar in 2018 without Aung San Suu Kyi being able to hold the title herself, due to a constitutional clause introduced by the military that disqualified anyone with foreign-national children from the presidency.
- 03.Win Myint was among the very first individuals arrested on the morning of the 1 February 2021 coup, detained before most of the country was even aware the takeover had begun.
- 04.He served as Speaker of the House of Representatives for two years before ascending to the presidency, making him one of the few Myanmar politicians to have held both the top legislative and executive positions in the civilian government.
- 05.After spending roughly five years in military detention facing a series of criminal charges, Win Myint was pardoned by coup leader Min Aung Hlaing in 2026.