Spyros Kyprianou

Spyros Achilleos Kyprianou (Greek Σπύρος Αχιλλέως Κυπριανού) was a Cypriot political figure and President of Cyprus between 1977 and 1988.

Kyprianou was born in Lemesos, Cyprus, on October 28, 1932. He studied economics at the City of London College and Law at Grey's Inn, earning his law degree in 1954. During that time, he served as Secretary to Archbishop Makarios III, in London, in charge of public relations and enlightment concerning the Cyprus problem.

When the EOKA struggle for liberation from Britain and union with Greece broke out, Kyprianou was ordered to leave Britain. He took up residence in Athens where he became involved with PEKA - the political wing of EOKA.

He returned to Cyprus after independence and became the first Cypriot foreign minister, serving from 1960 until 1972. In 1976, he founded of the Democratic Party of Cyprus "ΔΗ.ΚΟ." and in 1977, following the death of Archbishop Makarios III, he became President of Cyprus (1977-1988). Kyprianou also served twice as speaker of the House of Representatives of Cyprus: between 1976 and 1977 and between 1996 and 2001.

Kyprianou retired from politics in May 2001 and passed away on March 12, 2002, after a long bout with cancer.

Preceded by: Makarios III

President of Cyprus 1977– 1988

Succeeded by: George Vasiliou