Ugo Mifsud Bonnici was born in Bormla on 8 November 1932. He studied at the Lyceum and at the Royal University of Malta. He graduated with a Bachelor of Arts in 1952 and a Doctorate in Law in 1955.

In 1987, Dr Mifsud Bonnici was appointed as Minister of Education. In 1990 he became Minister of Education and Interior, while in 1992, he was appointed Minister of Education and Human Resources. In 1994 he was appointed President of the Republic.