List of honours of Italy awarded to heads of state and royalty

This article serves as an index – as complete as possible – of all the honorific orders or similar decorations awarded by Italy, classified by Monarchies chapter and Republics chapter, and, under each chapter, recipients' countries and the detailed list of recipients.

Italy

 * President Giuseppe Saragat (1964-1971) :
 * Grand Master of the Order of Merit of the Italian Republic
 * Grand Master of the Military Order of Italy
 * Grand Master of the Order of Merit for Labour
 * Grand Master of the Order of the Star of Italian Solidarity
 * Founding Grand Master of the Order of Vittorio Veneto (1968-1971)
 * President Giovanni Leone (1971–1978) :
 * Grand Master of the Order of Merit of the Italian Republic
 * Grand Master of the Military Order of Italy
 * Grand Master of the Order of Merit for Labour
 * Grand Master of the Order of the Star of Italy
 * Grand Master of the Order of Vittorio Veneto
 * President Sandro Pertini (1978–1985) :
 * Grand Master of the Order of Merit of the Italian Republic
 * Grand Master of the Military Order of Italy
 * Grand Master of the Order of Merit for Labour
 * Grand Master of the Order of the Star of Italy
 * Grand Master of the Order of Vittorio Veneto
 * President Francesco Cossiga (1985–1992) :
 * Grand Master of the Order of Merit of the Italian Republic
 * Knight Grand Cross with Collar of the Order of Merit of the Italian Republic (29 April 1992)
 * Grand Master of the Military Order of Italy
 * Grand Master of the Order of Merit for Labour
 * Grand Master of the Order of the Star of Italian Solidarity
 * Grand Master of the Order of Vittorio Veneto
 * President Oscar Luigi Scalfaro (1992–1999) :
 * Grand Master of the Order of Merit of the Italian Republic
 * Grand Master of the Military Order of Italy
 * Grand Master of the Order of Merit for Labour
 * Grand Master of the Order of the Star of Italian Solidarity
 * Grand Master of the Order of Vittorio Veneto
 * President Carlo Azeglio Ciampi (1999–2006) :
 * Grand Master of the Order of Merit of the Italian Republic
 * Grand Master of the Military Order of Italy
 * Grand Master of the Order of Merit for Labour
 * Grand Master of the Order of the Star of Italian Solidarity
 * Grand Master of the Order of Vittorio Veneto


 * President Giorgio Napolitano (2006-incumbent) :
 * Grand Master of the Order of Merit of the Italian Republic
 * Grand Master of the Military Order of Italy
 * Grand Master of the Order of Merit for Labour
 * Grand Master of the Order of the Star of Italian Solidarity, now Order of the Star of Italy
 * Grand Master of the Order of Vittorio Veneto

Monarchies

 * European monarchies

United Kingdom

 * Queen Elizabeth II: Knight Grand Cross with Collar of the Order of Merit of the Italian Republic (1958)

Norway
See also decorations pages (mark °): Harald, Sonja, Haakon, Mette-Marit, Mârtha Louise, Astrid & Ragnhild


 * Harald V of Norway: Knight Grand Cross (06/1965) with Collar (10/2001) of the Order of Merit of the Italian Republic
 * Queen Sonja of Norway: Knight Grand Cross of the Order of Merit of the Italian Republic (19 October 2001)
 * Haakon, Crown Prince of Norway: Knight Grand Cross of the Order of Merit of the Italian Republic (September 2004)
 * Mette-Marit, Crown Princess of Norway: Knight Grand Cross of the Order of Merit of the Italian Republic (September 2004)

Sweden

 * Carl XVI Gustaf of Sweden: Knight Grand Cross with Collar of the Order of Merit of the Italian Republic (8 April 1991)
 * Queen Silvia of Sweden: Knight Grand Cross of the Order of Merit of the Italian Republic (8 April 1991)
 * Princess Christina, Mrs. Magnuson:Knight Grand Cross of the Order of Merit of the Italian Republic (5 May 1998)

Denmark
See also decorations pages (click on "Decorations"): Margrethe - Henrik - Frederik - Mary - Joachim - Marie - Benedikte


 * Margrethe II of Denmark: Dame Grand Cross (20 April 1964) with Collar (8 November 1977) of the Order of Merit of the Italian Republic
 * Frederik, Crown Prince of Denmark: Knight Grand Cross of the Order of Merit of the Italian Republic (19 October 1993)
 * Princess Benedikte of Denmark: Knight Grand Cross of the Order of Merit of the Italian Republic (20 April 1964)

Netherlands

 * Princess Beatrix of the Netherlands: Knight Grand Cross (23 October 1973) with Collar (27 March 1985) of the Order of Merit of the Italian Republic
 * Princess Margriet of the Netherlands: Dame Grand Cross of the Order of Merit of the Italian Republic (23 October 1973)
 * Pieter van Vollenhoven: Knight Grand Cross of the Order of Merit of the Italian Republic (23 October 1973)

Belgium

 * King Albert II
 * : Knight Grand Cross (29 October 1973) with Collar (12 August 1998) of the Order of Merit of the Italian Republic
 * Knight of the Order of the Most Holy Annunciation
 * Knight Grand Cross of the Order of Saints Maurice and Lazarus
 * Queen Paola:
 * : Knight Grand Cross of the Order of Merit of the Italian Republic (12 May 1998)

Luxembourg

 * Henri, Grand Duke of Luxembourg: Knight Grand Cross with Collar of the Order of Merit of the Italian Republic (14 March 2003)
 * Maria Teresa, Grand Duchess of Luxembourg: Knight Grand Cross of the Order of Merit of the Italian Republic (30 January 2009)
 * Guillaume, Hereditary Grand Duke of Luxembourg: Knight Grand Cross of the Order of Merit of the Italian Republic (30 January 2009)

Spain

 * Juan Carlos I of Spain: Knight Grand Cross with Collar of the Order of Merit of the Italian Republic (26 May 1980)
 * Queen Sofía of Spain: Knight Grand Cross of the Order of Merit of the Italian Republic (27 June 1996)
 * Felipe, Prince of Asturias: Knight Grand Cross of the Order of Merit of the Italian Republic (27 June 1996)
 * Infanta Elena, Duchess of Lugo: Knight Grand Cross of the Order of Merit of the Italian Republic (27 June 1996)

Monaco

 * Albert II, Prince of Monaco: Knight Grand Cross with Grand Cordon of the Order of Merit of the Italian Republic (12 December 2005)
 * Charlene, Princess of Monaco : Grand Cross of the Order of the Star of Italy (20 February 2014)


 * African monarchies

Morocco

 * King Mohammed VI of Morocco (1999-incumbent): Knight Grand Cross with Collar of the Order of Merit of the Italian Republic (11 April 2000)


 * Middle East monarchies

Jordan

 * Queen Noor of Jordan: Knight Grand Cross of the Order of Merit of the Italian Republic (26 November 1983)
 * Abdullah II of Jordan: Knight Grand Cross (15 January 1987) with Grand Cordon (9 February 2001) of the Order of Merit of the Italian Republic
 * Queen Rania of Jordan: Dame Grand Cross of the Order of Merit of the Italian Republic (19 October 2009)
 * Prince Hamzah bin Al Hussein, son of Queen Noor of Jordan, half-brother of Abdullah II of Jordan: Knight Grand Cross of the Order of Merit of the Italian Republic (14 February 2001)
 * Prince Muhammad bin Talal, eldest younger brother of King Hussein I of Jordan: Knight Grand Cross of the Order of Merit of the Republic (26 November 1983)
 * Prince Hassan bin Talal, youngest brother of King Hussein I of Jordan: Knight Grand Cross of the Order of Merit of the Italian Republic (26 November 1983)
 * Late members
 * Hussein of Jordan: Knight Grand Cross with Collar of the Order of Merit of the Italian Republic (26 November 1983)

Kuwait

 * Emir Sabah Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah of Kuwait (2006-incumbent): Knight Grand Cross with Collar of the Order of Merit of the Italian Republic (26 April 2010)

Oman

 * Qaboos bin Said al Said: Knight Grand Cross with Collar of the Order of Merit of the Italian Republic

Qatar

 * Hamad bin Khalifa Al Thani (1995–2013): Knight Grand Cross with Collar of the Order of Merit of the Italian Republic (26 April 2000)

Saudi Arabia

 * King Fahd of Saudi Arabia (1982–2005): Knight Grand Cross with Collar of the Order of Merit of the Italian Republic (19 July 1997)
 * King Abdullah of Saudi Arabia (2005–incumbent): Knight Grand Cross with Collar of the Order of Merit of the Italian Republic (30 October 2007)


 * Asian monarchies

Thailand

 * Queen Sirikit of Thailand: Dame Grand Cross of The Order of Merit of the Italian Republic (22 September 1960)

Perlis

 * Sultan Sirajuddin of Perlis (as Yang di-Pertuan Agong of Malaysia, December 2001 – December 2006):
 * Knight Grand Cross with Collar of the Order of Merit of the Italian Republic (9 June 2003)
 * Tuanku Fauziah (Sultan Sirajuddin of Perlis's wife) :
 * Dame Grand Cross of the Order of Merit of the Italian Republic (9 June 2003)

Japan

 * Emperor Akihito: Knight Grand Cross of the Order of Merit of the Italian Republic (9 March 1982)
 * Crown Prince Naruhito: Knight Grand Cross of the Order of Merit of the Italian Republic (9 March 1982)
 * Prince Akishino: Knight Grand Cross of the Order of Merit of the Italian Republic(12 April 1998)


 * Oceanan monarchies

Iran

 * Mohammad Reza Pahlavi: Knight Grand Cross with Collar of the Order of Merit of the Italian Republic (26 August 1957)
 * Farah Pahlavi: Knight Grand Cross with Collar of the Order of Merit of the Italian Republic (15 December 1974)
 * Crown Prince Cyrus-Reza Pahlavi: Knight Grand Cross with Collar of the Order of Merit of the Italian Republic (15 December 1974)

Order of Malta

 * Fra' Andrew Bertie (1988-2008): Knight Grand Cross with Collar of the Order of Merit of the Italian Republic (22 May 1990)
 * Fra' Matthew Festing (2008-): Knight Grand Cross with Collar of the Order of Merit of the Italian Republic (27 October 2008)

Republics

 * Republics of Europe

Albania

 * President Sali Berisha (1992–1997): Knight Grand Cross with Collar of the Order of Merit of the Italian Republic (23 April 1996)

Austria

 * President Thomas Klestil (1992-2004): Knight Grand Cross with Collar of the Order of Merit of the Italian Republic (27 January 1993)
 * President Heinz Fischer (2004-incumbent): Knight Grand Cross with Collar of the Order of Merit of the Italian Republic (8 June 2007)


 * President Georgi Parvanov (2002-2012): Knight Grand Cross with Collar of the Order of Merit of the Italian Republic (5 April 2005)

Croatia

 * President Stjepan Mesić (2000–2010): Knight Grand Cross with Collar of the Order of Merit of the Italian Republic (5 October 2001)


 * President Ivo Josipović (2010-incumbent): Knight Grand Cross with Collar of the Order of Merit of the Italian Republic (6 July 2011)

Czech Republic

 * President Václav Havel (1993–2003): Knight Grand Cross with Collar of the Order of Merit of the Italian Republic (27 March 2002)

Estonia

 * President Lennart Meri (1992-2001): Knight Grand Cross with Collar of the Order of Merit of the Italian Republic (22 May 1997)


 * President Arnold Rüütel (2001–2006): Knight Grand Cross with Collar of the Order of Merit of the Italian Republic (8 April 2004)

Finland

 * President Mauno Henrik Koivisto (1982–1994): Knight Grand Cross with Collar of the Order of Merit of the Italian Republic (14 September 1993)


 * President Martti Ahtisaari (1994–2000): Knight Grand Cross with Collar of the Order of Merit of the Italian Republic (28 January 1997)


 * President Tarja Halonen (2000–2012): Knight Grand Cross with Collar of the Order of Merit of the Italian Republic (1 September 2008)

France

 * President René Coty (1954-1959): Knight Grand Cross with Collar of the Order of Merit of the Italian Republic (6 December 1954)
 * President Charles de Gaulle (1959–1969): Knight Grand Cross with Collar of the Order of Merit of the Italian Republic (16 June 1959)
 * President Georges Pompidou (1969–1974): Knight Grand Cross (19 February 1964) with Collar (1 October 1973) of the Order of Merit of the Italian Republic
 * President Valéry Giscard d'Estaing (1974-1981), when minister: Grand Officer (19 February 1964) and Knight Grand Cross (1 October 1973) of the Order of Merit of the Italian Republic


 * President François Mitterrand (1981-1995): Knight Grand Cross with Collar of the Order of Merit of the Italian Republic (5 July 1982)
 * Danielle Mitterrand, his wife: Dame Grand Cross of the Order of Merit of the Italian Republic (26 January 1990)
 * President Jacques Chirac (1995-2007): Knight Grand Cross (1 October 1973) with Collar (21 October 1999) of the Order of Merit of the Italian Republic


 * President François Hollande (2012-incumbent): Knight Grand Cross with Collar of the Order of Merit of the Italian Republic (15 November 2012)

Germany

 * President Karl Carstens (1979-1984): Grand Officer (19 December 1959), Knight Grand Cross (8 August 1965) with Collar (18 September 1979) of the Order of Merit of the Italian Republic


 * President Richard von Weizsäcker (1984–1994): Knight Grand Cross with Collar of the Order of Merit of the Italian Republic
 * Marianne von Weizsäcker, his wife: Dame Grand Cross of the Order of Merit of the Italian Republic (24 April 1986)
 * President Roman Herzog (1994–1999): Knight Grand Cross with Collar of the Order of Merit of the Italian Republic (20 April 1997)


 * President Johannes Rau (1999-2004): Knight Grand Cross with Collar of the Order of Merit of the Italian Republic (22 March 2002)
 * Christina Rau, his wife: Dame Grand Cross of the Order of Merit of the Italian Republic (12 April 2002)
 * President Horst Köhler (2004-2010): Knight Grand Cross with Collar of the Order of Merit of the Italian Republic (15 March 2006)
 * Eva Köhler, his wife: Dame Grand Cross of the Order of Merit of the Italian Republic (21 March 2006)


 * President Joachim Gauck (2012-incumbent): Knight Grand Cross with Collar of the Order of Merit of the Italian Republic (20 February 2013)

Greece

 * President Konstantinos Karamanlis (1980–85, 1990–95): Knight Grand Cross with Collar of the Order of Merit of the Italian Republic (18 November 1980)


 * President Konstantinos Stephanopoulos (1995–2005): Knight Grand Cross with Collar of the Order of Merit of the Italian Republic (23 January 2001)
 * President Karolos Papoulias (2005-incumbent): Knight Grand Cross with Collar of the Order of Merit of the Italian Republic (18 January 2006)

Hungary

 * President Árpád Göncz (1990–2000): Knight Grand Cross with Collar of the Order of Merit of the Italian Republic (15 July 1991)


 * President Ferenc Mádl (2000–2005): Knight Grand Cross with Collar of the Order of Merit of the Italian Republic (17 June 2002)

Iceland

 * President Vigdís Finnbogadóttir (1980–1996): Knight Grand Cross with Collar of the Order of Merit of the Italian Republic (5 October 1987)

Ireland

 * President Patrick Hillery (1976–1990): Knight Grand Cross with Collar of the Order of Merit of the Italian Republic (25 July 1986)

Latvia

 * President Guntis Ulmanis (1993–1999): Knight Grand Cross with Collar of the Order of Merit of the Italian Republic (21 May 1997)


 * President Vaira Vīķe-Freiberga (1999-2007): Knight Grand Cross with Collar of the Order of Merit of the Italian Republic (8 April 2004)

Lithuania

 * President Algirdas Brazauskas (1993–1998): Knight Grand Cross with Collar of the Order of Merit of the Italian Republic (20 May 1997)


 * President Valdas Adamkus (1998–2003, 2004–2009): Knight Grand Cross with Collar of the Order of Merit of the Italian Republic (23 February 1999)

Malta

 * President Ċensu Tabone (1989-1994): Knight Grand Cross with Collar of the Order of Merit of the Italian Republic (18 September 1991)
 * President Ugo Mifsud Bonnici (1994-1999): Knight Grand Cross with Collar of the Order of Merit of the Italian Republic (16 November 1995)
 * President Guido de Marco (1999–2004): Knight Grand Cross with Collar of the Order of Merit of the Italian Republic (16 January 2004)
 * President Eddie Fenech Adami (2004–2009): Knight Grand Cross with Collar of the Order of Merit of the Italian Republic (11 May 2005)
 * President George Abela (2009-incumbent): Knight Grand Cross with Collar of the Order of Merit of the Italian Republic (25 June 2010)

Poland

 * President Wojciech Jaruzelski (1985-1990): Knight Grand Cross with Collar of the Order of Merit of the Italian Republic (12 May 1989)


 * President Aleksander Kwaśniewski (1995–2005): Knight Grand Cross with Collar of the Order of Merit of the Italian Republic (28 May 1996)


 * Bronisław Komorowski (2010-incumbent): Knight Grand Cross with Collar of the Order of Merit of the Italian Republic (10 June 2012)

Portugal

 * President António Santos Ramalho Eanes (1976–1986): Knight Grand Cross with Collar of the Order of Merit of the Italian Republic (14 May 1980)


 * President Mário Alberto Nobre Lopes Soares (1986-1996): Knight Grand Cross with Collar of the Order of Merit of the Italian Republic (5 April 1989)


 * President Jorge Sampaio (1996–2006): Knight Grand Cross with Collar of the Order of Merit of the Italian Republic (27 November 2001)

Romania

 * President Ion Iliescu (1989–96, 2000–04): Knight Grand Cross with Collar of the Order of Merit of the Italian Republic, (15 October 2003)


 * President Traian Băsescu (2004-incumbent): Knight Grand Cross with Collar of the Order of Merit of the Italian Republic (7 September 2011)

Russia

 * President Boris Yeltsin (1991–1999): Knight Grand Cross with Collar of the Order of Merit of the Italian Republic (19 December 1991)

San Marino

 * Adalmiro Bartolini, Captain Regent (1 April - 1 October 1990): Knight Grand Cross with Collar of the Order of Merit of the Italian Republic (11 June 1990)
 * Ottaviano Rossi, Captain Regent (1 April - 1 October 1990): Knight Grand Cross with Collar of the Order of Merit of the Italian Republic (11 June 1990)
 * Luigi Mazza, Captain Regent (1 October 1997 – 1 April 1998): Knight Grand Cross with Collar of the Order of Merit of the Italian Republic (3 March 1998)
 * Marino Zanotti, Captain Regent (1 October 1997 – 1 April 1998): Knight Grand Cross with Collar of the Order of Merit of the Italian Republic (3 March 1998)
 * Alberto Cecchetti, Captain Regent (1 October 2001 – 1 April 2002): Knight Grand Cross with Collar of the Order of Merit of the Italian Republic (11 March 2002)
 * Gino Giovagnoli, Captain Regent (1 October 2001 – 1 April 2002): Knight Grand Cross with Collar of the Order of Merit of the Italian Republic (11 March 2002)

Serbia and Montenegro

 * President Vojislav Koštunica (2000–2003): Knight Grand Cross with Collar of the Order of Merit of the Italian Republic (14 January 2002)

Slovakia

 * President Michal Kováč (1993–1998): Knight Grand Cross with Collar of the Order of Merit of the Italian Republic (13 November 1997)
 * President Rudolf Schuster (1999–2004): Knight Grand Cross with Collar of the Order of Merit of the Italian Republic, (28 June 2002)


 * President Ivan Gašparovič (2004-incumbent): Knight Grand Cross with Collar of the Order of Merit of the Italian Republic, (20 February 2007)

Slovenia

 * President Danilo Türk (2007–2012): Knight Grand Cross with Collar of the Order of Merit of the Italian Republic (11 January 2011)

Turkey

 * President Fahri Korutürk (1973–1980): Knight Grand Cross with Collar of the Order of Merit of the Italian Republic (29 April 1978)
 * President Süleyman Demirel (1993–2000): Knight Grand Cross with Collar of the Order of Merit of the Italian Republic (7 October 1996)


 * President Abdullah Gül (2007-incumbent): Knight Grand Cross with Collar of the Order of Merit of the Italian Republic, (30 October 2009)

Ukraine

 * President Leonid Kuchma (1994–2005): Knight Grand Cross with Collar of the Order of Merit of the Italian Republic (3 May 1995)

Yugoslavia (1992-2006)

 * President Josip Broz Tito (1953-1980): Knight Grand Cross with Collar of the Order of Merit of the Italian Republic (2 October 1969)
 * President Cvijetin Mijatović (1980–1981): Knight Grand Cross with Collar of the Order of Merit of the Italian Republic (17 December 1980)


 * Republics of the Middle East

Lebanon

 * President Elias Hrawi (1989-1998): Knight Grand Cross with Collar of the Order of Merit of the Italian Republic (5 November 1997)


 * President Michel Suleiman (2008-incumbent): Knight Grand Cross with Collar of the Order of Merit of the Italian Republic, (14 October 2008)

Palestinian Authority

 * President Yasser Arafat (1994-2004): Knight Grand Cross with Collar of the Order of Merit of the Italian Republic (19 February 1999)


 * Republics of the Far East

Kazakhstan

 * President Nursultan Nazarbayev (1990-incumbent): Knight Grand Cross with Collar of the Order of Merit of the Italian Republic (4 May 1997)

Philippines

 * President Corazon Aquino (1986–1992): Knight Grand Cross with Collar of the Order of Merit of the Italian Republic (16 June 1988)

South Korea

 * President Kim Dae-jung (1998-2003): Knight Grand Cross with Collar of the Order of Merit of the Italian Republic (2 March 2000)


 * President Lee Myung-bak (2008–2013): Knight Grand Cross with Collar of the Order of Merit of the Italian Republic, (2 September 2009)

Uzbekistan

 * President Islam Karimov (1990-incumbent): Knight Grand Cross with Collar of the Order of Merit of the Italian Republic (2 May 1997)


 * Republics of the Americas :

Argentina

 * President Raúl Alfonsín (1983-1989): Knight Grand Cross with Collar of the Order of Merit of the Italian Republic (11 March 1985)
 * President Carlos Menem (1989-1999): Knight Grand Cross with Collar of the Order of Merit of the Italian Republic (5 October 1992)
 * President Fernando de la Rúa (1999-2001): Knight Grand Cross with Collar of the Order of Merit of the Italian Republic (7 March 2001)

Brazil

 * President Fernando Henrique Cardoso (1995–2003): Knight Grand Cross with Collar of the Order of Merit of the Italian Republic (24 June 1995)

Chile

 * President Patricio Aylwin Azócar (1990-1994): Knight Grand Cross with Collar of the Order of Merit of the Italian Republic (17 April 1991)


 * President Eduardo Frei Ruiz-Tagle (1994-2000): Knight Grand Cross with Collar of the Order of Merit of the Italian Republic (19 July 1995)


 * President Ricardo Lagos (2000-2006): Knight Grand Cross with Collar of the Order of Merit of the Italian Republic (3 March 2000)


 * Mme President Michelle Bachelet (2006–2010): Knight Grand Cross with Collar of the Order of Merit of the Italian Republic, (9 October 2007)

Colombia

 * President Julio César Turbay Ayala (1978-1982): Knight Grand Cross with Collar of the Order of Merit of the Italian Republic (1 April 1981)

Costa Rica

 * President Rodrigo Carazo Odio (1978–1982): Knight Grand Cross with Collar of the Order of Merit of the Italian Republic (30 March 1981)
 * President Luis Alberto Monge (1982–1986): Knight Grand Cross with Collar of the Order of Merit of the Italian Republic (20 June 1984)

Dominican Republic

 * President Leonel Fernández (1996–2000, 2004–12): Knight Grand Cross with Collar of the Order of Merit of the Italian Republic (19 January 1999)

Mexico

 * President Luis Echeverría (1970–1976): Knight Grand Cross with Collar of the Order of Merit of the Italian Republic (8 February 1974)
 * President José López Portillo (1976-1982): Knight Grand Cross with Collar of the Order of Merit of the Italian Republic


 * President Ernesto Zedillo (1994-2000): Knight Grand Cross with Collar of the Order of Merit of the Italian Republic (26 March 1996)

Peru

 * President Alejandro Toledo (2001–2006): Knight Grand Cross with Collar of the Order of Merit of the Italian Republic, (4 December 2002)

Uruguay

 * President Julio María Sanguinetti (1985–1990, 1995-2000): Knight Grand Cross with Collar of the Order of Merit of the Italian Republic (21 July 1995)


 * President Jorge Batlle Ibáñez (2000-2005): Knight Grand Cross with Collar of the Order of Merit of the Italian Republic (7 March 2001)

Venezuela

 * President Carlos Andrés Pérez (1974–1979, 1989-1993): Knight Grand Cross with Collar of the Order of Merit of the Italian Republic (17 November 1976)


 * President Jaime Lusinchi (1984-1989): Knight Grand Cross with Collar of the Order of Merit of the Italian Republic (6 June 1988)


 * President Rafael Caldera (1994-1999): Knight Grand Cross with Collar of the Order of Merit of the Italian Republic (29 June 1995)


 * Republics of Africa :

Algeria

 * President Abdelaziz Bouteflika (1999-incumbent): Knight Grand Cross with Collar of the Order of Merit of the Italian Republic (15 November 1999)

Egypt

 * President Anwar Sadat (1970–1981): Knight Grand Cross with Collar of the Order of Merit of the Italian Republic (6 April 1976)
 * President Mohamed Hosni Mubarak (1981–2011): Knight Grand Cross with Collar of the Order of Merit of the Italian Republic (30 January 1982)

Gabon

 * President Omar Bongo (1967–2009): Knight Grand Cross with Collar of the Order of Merit of the Italian Republic (21 November 1973)

Ghana

 * President John Kufuor (2001-2009): Knight Grand Cross with Collar of the Order of Merit of the Italian Republic, (11 October 2006)

Mozambique

 * President Samora Machel (1975–1986): Knight Grand Cross with Collar of the Order of Merit of the Italian Republic (14 October 1981)

South Africa

 * President Thabo Mbeki (1999–2008): Knight Grand Cross with Collar of the Order of Merit of the Italian Republic (6 March 2002)