It is the official residence of the President of Hungary, and the seat of the Office of the President. It has served as both since 2003.After Hungary became independent in 1919, Sándor Palace continued as the Prime Minister's residence until World War II. In 1941, during the war, the grief-stricken Pál Teleki committed suicide in the palace. Less than four years later, Allied aircraft bombed Sándor Palace, and the building was left in ruins. Anything in the palace that was of value was taken as war booty. Although the ruins did not fall victim to the bulldozer, the palace remained neglected until the Revolutions of 1989.Following the change from the Communist political system in Hungary in 1989, and thanks to a devoted team of restoration workers, a roof was erected over the ruins and the walls were supported. Over the years, Sándor Palace was gradually restored to its former glory, and the interior renovated in 2002. Most of the furnishings and objects are replicas of the originals that had been destroyed.