Mele Siuʻilikutapu

Princess Mele Siuʻilikutapu of Tonga (born 12 May 1948) is a Tongan royal and former politician. In 1975 she was elected to the Legislative Assembly, becoming its first female member.

Princess Mele Siuʻilikutapu
Member of the Legislative Assembly
Term1975 – 1978
SuccessorPapiloa Foliaki
ConstituencyTongatapu
Born (1948-05-12) 12 May 1948
Tonga
SpouseJosh Liava'a
(m. 1969 - div. 1969)
Kalanivalu-Fotofili
(m. 1970)
HouseHouse of Tupou
FatherFatafehi Tuʻipelehake
MotherMelenaite Tupoumoheofo Veikune
ReligionMethodist Christian

Biography

Siu’ilikutapu was born in May 1948, the oldest daughter of Prince Fatafehi Tuʻipelehake and his wife Melenaite Tupoumoheofo Veikune.[1][2] She attended the University of Auckland, where in October 1969 she married Josh Liava'a, a policeman.[3] As a result, King Tāufaʻāhau Tupou IV had her returned to Tonga and annulled the marriage. The following year she married Kalanivalu-Fotofili, a noble.[2]

In 1975 she contested the elections to the Legislative Assembly, and was elected as a people's representative in Tongatapu, becoming the country's first female parliamentarian.[4][5] She remained a member until 1978.[4]

She later became deputy president of the National Women's Organisation.[6]

References
  1. Margaret Hixon (1999) Sālote: Queen of Paradise, p135
  2. Married again (by royal consent) Pacific Islands Monthly, November 1970, p33
  3. Michael Field (2010) Swimming with Sharks p80
  4. Ian Christopher Campbell (2001) Island Kingdom: Tonga Ancient and Modern, p281
  5. Advancing Women’s Representation in Tonga A Woman’s Place is in the House
  6. Princess Mele Siu’ilikutapu Auckland Prayer Breakfast
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