De facto leader of the GDR

Walter Ulbricht era (1949–1971)

From the establishment of the German Democratic Republic on 7 October 1949, the Socialist Unity Party (SED) had a monopoly on power, which meant that the party leader was the highest position in the country.^[26][27] While Wilhelm Pieck and Otto Grotewohl were the Joint Chairmen of the Socialist Unity Party and thus the de jure party leaders, the de facto leader of the SED and thus the GDR was Walter Ulbricht.^[28] On 25 July 1950, Ulbricht became the sole de jure party leader of the SED as General Secretary (renamed as First Secretary in 1953).^[29] In this position Ulbricht continued to rule the country until 3 May 1971.^[30][31]

Erich Honecker era (1971–1989)

On 3 May 1971, Erich Honecker won the power struggle against Ulbricht^[34][39] and became the new First Secretary of the SED (changed back to General Secretary in 1976),^[40] and thus the new de facto leader of the GDR.^[41][42][43]

On 7 July 1989 Honecker was hospitalized after gall bladder complications.^[44] He left the hospital on 12 July 1989,^[45] however from then on nothing was heard of him until 26 September 1989, except for one occasion on 14 August 1989.^[46] During this period was still gravely ill after his first hospital stay, and took a vacation to recuperate.^[47] He was readmitted to hospital, but left it again,^[48] and then finally reappeared on 26 September 1989. During this period, other people took over the leadership. On 24 July 1989 and 14 September 1989, it was reported that Egon Krenz was in charge since Honecker was in hospital.^[49][50]

On 26 September 1989, Honecker reappeared and was in charge again;^[51] however this period of leadership was short-lived: on 18 October 1989, Honecker was ousted by other party members, following protests which demanded reforms.^{[52][53][54][55][56]} Later it was reported that Honecker did not understood what had happened.^[57][58]

Egon Krenz era (1989)

On 18 October 1989, when Honecker was ousted, Egon Krenz became the new General Secretary and thus the new de facto leader.^[59] Under his leadership, the SED officially gave up its power monopoly on 1 December 1989,^[60] although Krenz continued as General Secretary until 3 December 1989,^[61] and for another two days he still was the de facto leader.

Hans Modrow era (1989–1990)

On 5 December 1989, Egon Krenz was succeeded by the Chairman of the Council of Ministers Hans Modrow. He was the de facto leader of the GDR until 12 April 1990, when he was succeeded as Chairman of the Council of Ministers by Lothar de Maizière as Minister-President. He was the first and last legitimately elected Minister-President.^[62][63][64]