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| His Highness Malietoa Tanumafili II | |
|---|---|
| Head of state (Malietoa) of Samoa | |
| File:Malietoa.jpg | |
| Reign | 1939 - May 11, 2007 |
| Predecessor | Malietoa Tanumafili I |
| Successor | Vacant |
| Burial | To be buried at Mulinu'u |
| Father | Malietoa Tanumafili I |
| Mother | Momoe Lupeuluiva Meleisea |
Malietoa Tanumafili II, GCMG, CBE, (January 4, 1913 – May 11, 2007) (also called Susuga) was one of the paramount chiefs, Malietoa (from 1939), and the head of state (O le Ao o le Malo, a position that he held for life) of Samoa from 1962 to 2007. At the time of his death, he was the oldest national leader in the world. He descended from Samoa's four princely families (Aiga Tupu) and held the King Title "Mālietoa".
He was born in 1913 as the son and third child of Malietoa Tanumafili I and Momoe Lupeuluiva Meleisea. He became the Mālietoa following his father's death.
Upon Samoa's independence in 1962, he was joint head of state with Tupua Tamasese Mea'ole. When the latter died in 1963, he became the sole head of state.
Malietoa Tanumafili II was a follower of the Bahá'í Faith. He was the second royal (after Queen Marie of Romania) to be a member of that religion. The Bahá'í House of Worship in Tiapapata, eight kilometers from the country's capital of Apia, was dedicated by him in 1984. His wife died in 1986.
Death
Malietoa Tanumafili II died at 6:45 P.M. on Friday May 11, 2007 at the Tupua Tamasese Meaole National Hospital at Moto'otua in Apia, Samoa. He was being treated as a patient for pneumonia at the hospital for approximately a week. The cause of his death has not been released.
His death was announced by Samoan Secretary of State Vaasatia Poloma Komiti on SBC TV1. "It is with deepest regret that we inform you of the passing of our Head of State Malietoa Tanumafili II."
At the time of his death in May 2007, Malietoa Tanumafili II was the world's third longest reigning living monarch after Thailand's King Bhumibol Adulyadej, who has reigned since 1946 and Britain's Queen Elizabeth II, who has reigned since in 1952. He was, however, only the seventh longest serving head of state, as Samoa did not gain independence from New Zealand until 1962.
Tanumafili is survived by two daughters and two sons. His wife, Lili Tunu, died in 1986.
International reaction
American Samoa - Governor Togiola Tulafono stated: "I offer my condolence to the people and government of Samoa on the passing of His Highness Malietoa Tanumafili. May God guide the people of Samoa as they mourn his passing." Many American Samoans considered Tanumafili to be the father of both Samoa and American Samoa. Tanumafili was a frequent visitor to the American territory's Flag Day celebrations.
New Zealand - Prime Minister Helen Clark reacted to the news of Tanumafili's death: "Through his long reign as Head of State, Malietoa represented Samoa with wisdom, humour and insight...Malietoa was educated at St. Stephens School near Auckland. He was a great friend of New Zealand as Head of State, and was well known to successive New Zealand governments and diplomats...It is significant that New Zealand has a Treaty of Friendship with only one country- Samoa- and our shared unique relationship was due in no small part to Malietoa's influence as a father of modern Samoa. New Zealanders of Samoan descent, together with their palagi counterparts, will be thinking of Samoa, at this sad time."
Honours
Queen Elizabeth II visited Samoa for a single day in 1977 as part of her visit to the South Pacific on board the Royal Yacht Britannia. While in Samoa, Elizabeth presented Malietoa with the Collar Badge and Star of the GCMG, the Knight Grand Cross of the Most Distinguished Order of St Michael and St George
Malietoa was also bestowed the title of Honorary Commander of the Order of the British Empire during his life.
| Politics of Samoa |
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See also
External Links
- Obituary from the New Zealand Herald
- Uncertain times ahead as Samoa deals with new order
- New Zealand Order of Merit Roll
- Photograph Taken in 2006
References
- http://the.honoluluadvertiser.com/article/2007/May/12/br/br3926458107.html
- Sagapolutele, Fili (05-12-2007). "Samoan Head Of State Passes Away". Pacific Magazine. Retrieved 05-12-2007.
{{cite news}}: Check date values in:|accessdate=and|date=(help) - Jackson, Cherelle (05-13-2007). "Samoa's Head of State Malietoa dies aged 95". New Zealand Herald. Retrieved 05-12-2007.
{{cite news}}: Check date values in:|accessdate=and|date=(help) - "Samoa's king, one of world's longest reigning monarchs, dies". International Herald Tribune. Associated Press. 05-12-2007. Retrieved 05-13-2007.
{{cite news}}: Check date values in:|accessdate=and|date=(help) - "Samoan king dies at the age of 94". The Sydney Morning Herald. 05-13-2007. Retrieved 05-13-2007.
{{cite news}}: Check date values in:|accessdate=and|date=(help) - "Samoa's king, one of world's longest reigning monarchs, dies". International Herald Tribune. Associated Press. 05-12-2007. Retrieved 05-13-2007.
{{cite news}}: Check date values in:|accessdate=and|date=(help) - Jackson, Cherelle (05-13-2007). "Samoa's Head of State Malietoa dies aged 95". New Zealand Herald. Retrieved 05-12-2007.
{{cite news}}: Check date values in:|accessdate=and|date=(help) - "Samoa King Dies". Associated Press. Herald Sun. 05-13-2007. Retrieved 05-13-2007.
{{cite news}}: Check date values in:|accessdate=and|date=(help)
| Preceded byCharles Lyttelton, last pre-independence Governor-General of New Zealand | Head of State of Samoa 1962-2007 (with Tupua Tamasese Mea'ole until 1963) |
Succeeded byIncumbent |
| Preceded byMalietoa Tanumafili I | Malietoa 1939-2007 |
Succeeded byTo Be Determined |
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