Below you find the list of the Directors General of ESO as from its creation in 1962.
| Prof. O. Heckmann | 1962-1969 |
| Prof. A. Blaauw | 1970-1974 |
| Prof. L. Woltjer | 1975-1987 |
| Prof. H. van der Laan | 1988-1992 |
| Prof. R. Giacconi | 1993-1999 |
| Dr. C. Cesarsky | 1999-2007 |
| Prof. T. de Zeeuw | 2007 - present |