The Czechoslovak Presidents were the heads of state of Czechoslovakia, a country that existed from 1918 until its peaceful split into the Czech Republic and Slovakia in 1993. The first president was Tomáš Masaryk, who served from 1918 to 1935 and is often regarded as the founding father of the nation. Subsequent presidents included Edvard Beneš and Gustáv Husák, each playing significant roles during different political eras. Throughout its history, the presidency in Czechoslovakia evolved, reflecting the country's changing political landscape, including periods of democracy and totalitarianism. The last president before the split was Václav Havel, a prominent dissident and advocate for human rights, who served from 1989 until the dissolution of the country in 1992.