Paul von Hindenburg was President of the German Weimar Republic from May 12 1925 until his death during the early years of the German Third Reich on August 2, 1934.  Hindenburg appointed Hitler as Chancellor in January of 1933 and passed the Enabling Act in March of 1933 which gave Hitler's Administration legislative powers.  Upon his death in 1934, Hitler declared the President's  Office vacant and declared himself as Head of State.