József Antall (1932–1993) was a Hungarian politician, historian, and educator who served as the first freely elected Prime Minister of Hungary after the fall of communism, leading the Hungarian Democratic Forum (MDF) from 1990 until his death in 1993. Born into a politically active family—his father, József Antall Sr., served as Minister of Social Affairs in the 1940s—Antall studied ethnography and history at Eötvös Loránd University in Budapest. He worked as a high school teacher, archivist, and museum director, focusing on Hungarian cultural heritage. During the communist era, he engaged in quiet opposition activities, including editing underground publications and preserving national archives, reflecting his commitment to intellectual resistance without direct confrontation.

In the waning years of communism, Antall co-founded the Hungarian Democratic Forum (MDF) in 1988, a broad-based movement advocating for democratic reforms. The MDF's victory in the historic 1990 elections made Antall Hungary's first freely elected Prime Minister. His government implemented sweeping changes, including market-oriented economic reforms, privatization of state assets, and the establishment of a multi-party system. He navigated challenges such as hyperinflation, unemployment, and tensions with former communist elements, while fostering ties with Western Europe and promoting national reconciliation.

Antall's leadership was characterized by a centrist, conservative ideology emphasizing stability and gradualism. Diagnosed with cancer in 1990, he continued to govern despite deteriorating health, dying in office on March 23, 1993. Widely regarded as the architect of post-communist Hungary, his legacy includes laying the foundations for the country's integration into NATO and the EU, though his administration faced criticism for slow economic progress and internal party divisions.