1940-46 and 1946-47 HH Shrimant Akhand Soubhagyavati Maharani Tara Bai Sahib Maharaj of Kolhapur (India)

Also known as Tarabai Sahib Chhaatrapati or Indumati Devi, she was widow of Maharaja Sir Rajaram II Bhonsle Chhatrapathi Maharaj who "only" had one daughter. She therefore adopted a relative, Shivaji V, who lived (1941-46). Tarabai also adopted his successor. Born as Princess of Baroda (b.1904-).

1941-60 Acting Paramount Chief The Mofumahali 'MaNtsebo Amalia 'Matsaba Sempe of Basutoland (Lesotho)

Reigned after the death of her husband and succeeded as ruler of the British protectorate of Basutoland - now known as Leshoto - by her son, Moshoeshoe II, who was King 1960-70, 1970-88 and 1990-96. She lived (1902-65).

1941-43 and 1947-48 Regent HH Shrimant Akhand Soubhagyavati Maharani Pramula Bai Maharaj Sahib of Dewas (Senior) (India)

Her husband, Maharaja Sir Shahaji II (or Sir Vikramsinh Rao Tukoji Rao Puar (1901-83)) was ruler of Dewar (1937-41) but abdicated in order to become ruler of Kolhapur. He had been adopted by Dowager Maharani Tara Bai (See below) and was succeeded in Dewar by oldest son, Krishnaji Rao II. In Kolhapur succeeded by son of oldest daughter, whom Sir Shahaji adopted. Pramula Bai is born as Princess of Jath (b. 1910-).

1941 and 1942-1943 Regent Maharani Shri Gulab Kunwarba Sahib of  Nawanagar (India)

In charge of the government during the absences of her husband since 1935, Maharaja Jam Shri Sir Digvijaysinhji Ranjitsinhji Sahib Bahadur of Nawanagar. She was Daughter of H.H. Maharajadhiraj Maharao Shri Sir Sarup Ram Singhji Bahadur, Maharao of Sirohi, by his first wife, H.H. Maharani Krishna Kunwarba Sahib, and lived (1910-94

1941-46 Acting Paramount Chiefess Elizabeth Tshatshu of the Xhosa Tribe of amaNtinde (South Africa)

Acted after the death of Mgcawezulu a Nongane until she was succeeded by Zwelitsha a Mgcawezulu, who is still Inkosi Enkhulu.

1941 Queen Mother Mutaleni kaMpingana of Ondonga (Namibia)

After the death of King Martin Nambala yaKadhikwa she played an important role in the selection of the 13th King of the Ondonga area, Kambonde kaNamene (1942-1960).

1943-57 Acting Chiefess Nofikile a Ngongo of the Xhosa Tribe of imiDushane kaNdlambe (South Africa) 

Acting after the death of Inkosi Enkhulu Gushiphela a Menziwa and succeeded by Zimlindile Payment Muyaka a Gushiphela, who is still Chief of the tribe. 

1943-55 Guardian Dowager Queen Ioanna of Italy of Bulgaria

Married to King Boris III, who tried to remain natural as World War II broke out, but he met with Hitler in 1940, and in 1941 became part of the pact allying Germany, Italy and Japan. The king has long been described as having been appalled at Hitler's massacres of Jews, and on two occasions he refused orders to deport Bulgarian Jews. Queen Ioanna intervened to obtain transit visas to enable a number of Jews to escape to Argentina. After the death of her husband, Boris III (1894-1918-43) her brother-in-law, Prince Cyrill became regent for her son, Simoen II (1937-43-46-), until a referendum abolished the Monarchy, and she fled with her children to Egypt and later to Spain. Her son became Premier Minister of Bulgaria in 2001 under the name of Saxe-Coburg. Born as Giovanna Savoia of Italy, she lived (1910-2001).

1944-48 Tenant Madame Fortington of Jethou (Crown Dependency of the British Monarch)

Took over the Tenantcy of the tiny Channel Island after the death of Harold Fortington (1934-44). George MacDonald was Subtenant (1940-45) and William Gill Withycombe was tenant (1948-55).

Before 1944 Regent Princess Sharifah Leng binti al-Marhum Yang di-Pertuan Muda Syed Abdul Hamid of Tampin (Malaysia)

Daughter Sultan Sharif Abdul Hamid ibni al-Marhum Yang di-Pertuan Muda Sultan Muhammad Shah al-Qadri (1872-94) she was regent for her nephew Syed Akil bin Syed Dewa al-Qadri, Tunku Besar of Tampin, who died at the age of 20, and whose brother, Syed Muhammad bin Syed Dewa al-Qadri, ruled until 1944.

1944-77 12^th Asantehemaa Nana Ama Sewaa Nyaako of Asante (Ghana)

Second Queen mother during the reign of king Otumfuo Nana Osei Agyeman Prempe II (1892-1931/35-70) and during of Otumfuo Nana Opoku Ware II (1919-70-99). She was granddaughter of Aufa Kobi Serwaa Ampen I, who was (1859-1884) and daughter of daughter of Akua Afriyie, the Kumasehemaa. In 1977 she was succeeded by the present Asantehemaa, Nana Afua Kobi Sewaa Ampem II - who is Queen Mother for the present king, Otumfuo Nana Osei Tutu II (1950-99-). 

1944-55 Acting Head of the Princely Family HSH. Dowager Princess Margareta Fouche d'Otrante of Sayn-Wittgenstein-Berleburg (Germany)

After her husband Gustaf Richard was reported missing during WWII she became guardian for her son, Prince Richard (1934/44-). The family went into exile in her Sweden, where she was born. Prince Richard later married HRH Princess Benedikte of Denmark. Born as Duchess Fouche d'Otrante, she lived (1909-2005).

1946-58 Acting Paramount Chiefess, Queen Mother Elizabeth Pulane Seeco of baTawana (British Protectorate, Botswana)

Also known as Princess Pulane Moremi, she widow of Moremi III (1915-37-46) she was regent for son (Letsholathebe II (1940-58-81), and lived (1912-81). 

1946-47 Rani Mariyumma Adi-Raja Bibi of Cannanore (India)

Also known as Ali Raja Bibi Arakkal Mariumma or Ali Raja Mariumma Beevi Thangal, she was the last ruler before the principality was incorporated in the Republic of India. It is not known when she died but Adiraja Ayisha Muthu Beevi (1922-2006) was head of the Head of the Arakkal royal house from 1997 and was succeed by Adiraja Ayisha Beevi as the Arakkal Beevi (or Beebi) near the City that is now known as Kannur.

1946-90 Partner in Power Nexhmije Xhugilini Hoxa, Albania

Married to Enver Hoxa, Prime minister 1945-53 and President 1954-85. During the resistance war 1941-46, she was a close advisor of her husband. 1946-55 Chairperson of the Women's Wing of the Communist Party, 1952-90 MP, 1968-90 Director of the Institute of Marxist Studies and 1986-90 Chairperson of Albania's Democratic Front, which controlled all the political organizations of the country, and appointed candidates for the parliament. She was imprisoned 1991-96 charged with corruption and abuse of power. (b. 1921-).

1946-54 Partner in Power Eva Duarte de Peron, Argentina 

Known as Evita Peron, she was very powerful during her husband, Juan D. Peron's first tenure as President (1946-55). In 1951 the military prevented her candidature for the post of Vice-President. Very popular among the masses. Juan Peron's third wife, Isabel Peron, was vice-President 1973-74 during his second term in office, and succeeded him as President after his death in 1974. Eva Peron lived (1919-54).

1947 and 1948 Princess-Regent Juliana of the Netherlands 
1948-80 By the Grace of God Queen of the Netherlands 

Member of the Council of State from her 18th birthday in 1927. From 1927 to 1930, she attended lectures at Leiden University. Regent during the illness of her mother, Wilhelmina and succeeded her upon her abdication. The people of the Netherlands watched as their Queen often appeared in public dressed like any ordinary Dutch woman. Like her mother had out of necessity, Queen Juliana began riding a bicycle for exercise and fresh air. She began visiting with the citizens of the nearby towns and, unannounced, would drop in on social institutions and schools. Her refreshingly straightforward manner and talk made her a powerful public speaker. On the international stage, Queen Juliana was particularly interested in the problems of developing countries, the refugee problem, and had a very special interest in child welfare, particularly in the developing countries. In 1949, she signed the documents transferring sovereignty to Indonesia and in 1954 she gave her assent to the Charter for the Kingdom of the Netherlands, which formed the basis for cooperation between the three remaining parts of the Kingdom: the Netherlands, Suriname and the Netherlands Antilles. Suriname became an independent republic in 1975. Closely involved in social questions and involved in the running of the government until her abdication in favour of her oldest daughter, Queen Beatrix. She has since been known as HRH Princess Juliana of the Netherlands, and since the early 1990s, she has gradually withdrawn from public life. Also Princess van Oranje Nassau, Duchess van Mecklenburg-Schwerin etc, etc, etc., she was married to Prince Bernhard zu Lippe-Biesterfeld (1911-2004), and mother of four daughters. She lived (1909-2004).

1947-48 President of the Council of Regency Dowager Maharani H.H. Sri Srimati Maharani Kanchan Prabhavati Mahadevi Sahiba of Tripura (India)
1948-49 Regent (Radhakrishnapada Srila Srimati Maharani)

Also known as Kanchan Prabha Devi. After the death of her husband Bir Bikram Kishore Manikya in May 1947, a council of regency under her leadership took over charge of administration on behalf of her minor son, prince Kirit Bikram Kishore Manikya (b. 1933). The state was faced an immediate refugee problem, which brought conflict between the people, severe strain on the administration and threatened to exhaust the meagre resources of the state, and she was forced to cede sovereignty to India within a few months and signed the treaty which transferred the state to the Union of India on 9th September 1947 coming effect two years later. Tripura became a Union Territory on 1st November 1956. The Territorial Council was formed on August 15, 1959. The dissolution of Territorial Council and formation of Legislative Assembly and a Council of Ministers in July 1963 were notable events. Finally Tripura became a full-fledged State in January 1972. She was the eldest daughter of Colonel H.H. Mahendra Maharaja Sri Sir Yadvendra Singh Ju Deo Bahadur, Maharaja of Panna, by his first wife, H.H. Mahendra Maharani Sri Manhar Kunwarba Sahiba, and lived (1914-73).

1947-57 Maradia Regnant of Balan(g)nipa (Indonesia)

After the abdication of her husband, Haji Andi Depu Baso, she ruled in her own right until 1950 and the following seven years in a temporary basis. She was succeeded by the grandson of the brother of the father of her husband, Puang Manda' alias Haji Andi Syahribulan (1959-1963) as the last ruler of the Mandar area north of the main Buginese area. It was a sort of confederation of seven principalities with the Maradia of Balangnipa as chief. In 1873 the Dutch made all the seven states real separate principalities. (b. 1907-).

1947-87 Queen Maria Mwengere of Shambyu (Namibia)

Succeeded king Mbambangandu II, who became blind. She prohibited the brewing of traditional beers with sugar, but also curtailed the sale of all kinds of liquor in the Sambyu area. The brewing of traditional beers without the use of sugar for own consumption was however still permitted. On many occasions during the sixties, she severely punished transgressors by fining them up to four head of cattle, but she later stopped this praxis because of strong opposition from her people. In 1989 Hompa Angelina Ribebe Matumbo became Queen of the Shambyu.

1950-ca 59 Datuk I Suji of Suppa (Indonesia)

Her son La Kane (or Kunen/Kuneng) is the present chief of the dynasty of Suppa. She (d. ca. 1992).

1951-... Adatuwang Regnant Bau Rukiah of Sawito (Indonesia)

Appointed as ruler of the state.

1952- H.M. Elizabeth II of United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland and Her other Realms and Territories Queen, Defender of the Faith, Head of the Commonwealth 

Until 1953 her title was Queen of Great Britain, Ireland and the British Overseas Dominions. She is head if state in 15 countries apart from Great Britain and as Head of the Commonwealth, she is the front person of the organization of many other former British colonies and territories. She is the first child of The Duke and Duchess of York. Although when born it was unlikely that she would become Queen, events in the 1930s led to her father's Accession and her becoming heir to the Throne. Her reign takes place during a period of great social change, she has carried out her political duties as Head of State, the ceremonial responsibilities of the Sovereign and an unprecedented programme of visits in the United Kingdom, Commonwealth and overseas. Elizabeth Alexandra Mary is the mother of three sons and a daughter. Married to Phillip Mountbatten, former Prince of Greece. (b. 1926-).  

1952-53 Head of the Regency Council H.M. Queen Zein al-Sharaf of Jordan

In her official Jordanian biography it says that her political instincts and courage allowed her to successfully fill a constitutional vacuum after the assassination of the late King Abdullah in 1951, while the newly proclaimed King Talal was being treated outside the Kingdom for his mental illness. When he was deposed in August 1952 she was regent until her son, Hussein I, until he turned 18 in May the following year. She played a major role in the political development of the Kingdom in the early 1950s, and took part in the writing of the 1952 Constitution that gave full rights to women and enhanced the social development of the country. Born in Egypt as daughter of the Court Chamberlain, Sharif Jamal Ali bin Nasser, she was mother of three sons and a daughter, and lived (1916-94).

Around 1952 Liurai Clara Assi of Fatu Mean (Timor Leste)

The state was included in the list made by the Portuguese in 1952, then in the district of Bobonaro.

Around 1952 Liurai Bai Buti of Irlelo (Timor-Lester)

Also situated in the former district of Bobonaro in East Timor, which was occupied by Indonesia 1974-99, an UN Protectorate until 2002, when it became independent.

1952-53 Candidate for the Throne Princess Fatima Ibrahim Didi Tuttu Goma of the Maldive Islands

In 1944 the throne was first offered to the erstwhile Prime Minister Athireegey Abdul Majeed Rannabandeyri Kilegefan, but he declined and remained in exile until his death in 1952. The throne was then offered Tuttu Goma was daughter of Eggamugey Ibrahim Faamuladeyri Kilegefan and Princess Gulistan Imaduddine, the daughter of Sultan Mohamed Imaduddine VI (1892-1903) and Eggamugey Umm-Kalthum Didi. The Islamic clerics headed by the chief justice Abdullah Jalaluddine vetoed the age-old custom of a female ruler, so a council of regency reigned until 1953.

1953-54 Acting Head of State Sühbaataryn Yanjmaa, Mongolia 

Member of the Politburo of the Mongolian People's Revolutionary Party (MPRP) 1940-54, Secretary of the Central Committee of the MPRP 1941-47), was member of the Presidium of the Little Hüral 1940-50 and of the People's Great Hüral 1950-62, and as 1. Deputy Chair of the Great Hüral since 1950, she took over during a vacancy on the post of Head of State and Chairperson of the Hüral. ) She was the widow of the great national hero Damdiny Sühbaatar (1893-1923), born as Nemendeyen Yanjmaa and lived (1893-1963).

1953-58 H.H. Queen Aloisia Lavelua of Uvea (Wallis and Futuna) (French External Territory)

The Monarchs and chiefs are still involved with the government of the French External Territory Wallis and Futuna. After the death of King Kapeliele Tufele Lavelua (1950-53), the Council of Ministers reigned until Soane Toke Lavelua became king for one day - 18.-19. December. On 22. December Aloisia became Queen. After her abdication, the Council of Ministers again reigned until Tomasi Kulimoetoke II became king at the 12th of March 1959 and reigned until 2007.

From 1953 Acting Paramount Chiefess Nonayithi Jali a Mthati of the Xhosa Tribe of imiQhayi (South Africa) 

Acting after the death of the acting Chief Bofolo a Ntonisi a Donddashe. It is not known when she was succeeded by Inkosi Enkhulu Mabundu Bangelizwe Jali a Enoch, who is still chief.

1953-67 and 1992-2006 Paramount Chiefess Madam Ella Koblo Gulama of Kaiyamban (Sierra Leone)

Elected to succeed her father, Julius Gulama, as head of the tribe and district. 1957 she was elected the first female MP and was Minister without Portfolio 1963-67. Imprisoned during the political unrest from 1967-70 and deposed as Paramount Chief, Vice-President of the conference on Finance and Administration of the United Methodist Church 1985-91, she also worked hard to promote the education of girls and to improve the lot of women as President of the Federation of Women’s Organisations in Sierra Leone 1960-67 and President of the National Organization for Women 1985-91. Re-elected Paramount Chief of Kaiyamba Chiefdom by a unanimous vote in 1992.  The rebel war and its effects were devastating to Moyamba District and the country as a whole, resulting in complete set­back to development and progress. She was forced to leave Moyamba and seek refuge in Freetown. On her return to Moyamba, she again put all her efforts into the rehabilitation of her Chiefdom and District. Director of the Sierra Leone Export Development and Investment Corporation (SLEDIC) 1994-96 and also a director of The Sierra Leone Commercial Bank Limited. 1997 she fell ill and appointed a regent. She was married to Paramount Chief Bai Koblo Pathbana II Marampa Masimera Chiefdom,  mother of 7 children, and lived (1921-2006).  

1953-77 Politically Influential Jovanka Budisavlevic Broz, Yugoslavia

Thought to have had a substantial influence in the army and the country, until her husband, Josef Broz Tito, sent her in internal-exile. She was a lieutenant in the army when they got married. (b. 1923-).

1953-98 Partner in Power Kim Song Ae in North Korea 

Married Kim II Sung (1912-94) in 1953. He was General Secretary of the Korean Worker's Party 1948-94, Premier Minister (1948-72), President (1972-94) and created an austere and militarized regime. Kim song Ae was Vice-Chairperson 1965-71 and 1971-98 Chairperson of the Central Committee for the Women's League, since 1980 Member of the Central Committee of the Korean Workers Party, from 1982 Member of the Standing Committee in the Supreme People's Assembly, and considered to be domineering force and very influential. (b. 1924-).

1954-63 Partner in Power Van Le Xuan Tran in South Vietnam

In the Westen World she was also known as Mme Ngo Dinh Nhu, she was the official first-Lady during her brother-in-law, Ngo Dinh Dimen's term as Premier 1954 and President 1955-63. She was also member of the National Assembly. Ngo was deposed and killed together with her husband, Ngo Dinh Nhu, Chief of the Secret Police. She survived because she was in USA on a Public Relation Tour together with her daughter. (b. 1920-).

1956 Regent H.M. Somdetch Pra Nang Chao Sirikit Phra Baromma Rajini Nath of Thailand (22.10-07.12)

Took the oath as regent before the National Assembly, as her husband, King Bhumibol, retired to do the traditional Buddhist studies. She was born as Mom Rajawong Sikrit Kitiyakara of Chandaburi - as a distant member of the royal family. Since 1956 she has had the title Somdetch Pra Nang Chao Sirikit Phra Baromma Rajini Nath (Queen Regent) and still occasionally acts as Deputy Head of State. Mother of a son and three daughters. (b. 1932).

1956-60s Politically Influential Khieu Ponnary in Cambodia

Known as "Sister Number One", she played a key role in the development of the Khmer Rouge, and was head of the Cambodian national women's association during the period 1975-1979. She was the first Cambodian woman to get a high school degree and met Pol Pot, also known as Saloth Sar, in 1951, during her studies in Paris. They married in 1956 and returned to Cambodia, where she helped him build his revolutionary ultra-communist movement, the Khmer Rouge. From the 1970s she suffered from dementia and mental illness. Her sister Khieu Ieng Thirith was Minister in the government until 1982. Ponnary lived (1920-2003).

1957-62 Queen Dowager Doña Isabel Maria da Gama of Kongo (Angola)
1962-?75 Queen Regent

Her husband, Dom Antonio III, was king (1955-58), she succeeded him and in 1962 her son, Dom Pedro VIII Mansala, was king September-October and afterwards she took over the reigns again with the title Ntolia y aNtino ne Kongo.  Some sources claims she is still in office, others that her regency ended in 1975.

1958 Acting Prime Minister The Hon. Ellen Lourkes Fairclough, Canada (19.02-20.02)

Progressive Conservative MP 1950-63, and has been Privy Councillor since 1957 when she became the first female member of the Government as Secretary of State for Canada, 1958-62 Minister for Citizenship and Immigration and1962-63 Postmaster General. She was appointed Acting Premier for the first of January 1958. She lived (1905-2004).

1958- Queen Kanuni II of Uukwangali (Namibia)

Succeeded king Sivute, who succeeded Queen Kanuni I in 1941.

1958-66 (†) Politically Influential Aisha Diori in Niger

Controlled her husband, president Hamani Diori, (1916-89), like a marionette. She was killed during an attempted coup d'etat but executed Aisha. Her husband was the Prime Minister (1958-60) and the first President after Niger's independence in 1960 until he was deposed in 1974.

1959-80 Rain Queen Makoma Modjadji IV of Balobedu (South Africa)

The Queen, apart from her ruling responsibilites, has the duty of providing her nation with rain. Succeeded by daughter Mokope Modjadji V in 1981.

1959-19... Dwabenhene Nana Juaben Serwah II of Dwaben (Ghana)  

1959-68-? Manavara Upoko Tiao Campbell, The Cook Islands (New Zealand External Territory)

Inherited the title of Manavara in 1959. The mother of two daughters.
[Perhaps she is identical with Tangianau Upoko, who was born 1926 and was the Kavana and is Pava (High Chief) of Veitatei District and the Kairanga Nuku (Subchief) from 1950 and High Chief 1980-2000). Tangianau Upoko is married to Tuaere Utikere.

1960-70 Ceremonial Head of State, Symbol, In