Tuimalealiifano Va'aletoa Sualauvi II
Tuimalealiifano Va'aleto'a Eti Sualauvi II (born 29 April 1947)[1] is a Samoan politician who is the current O le Ao o le Malo (head of state) of Samoa, in office since 2017. He was appointed to the Tama-a-'aiga title of Tuimalealiifano in July 1977, one of four paramount titles of Samoa.[2][3]
Tuimalealiifano Va'aleto'a Sualauvi II | |
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Head of State of Samoa (O le Ao o le Malo) | |
Assumed office 21 July 2017 | |
Prime Minister | Tuilaepa Aiono Sailele Malielegaoi |
Deputy | Le Mamea Ropati |
Preceded by | Tui Atua Tupua Tamasese Efi |
Personal details | |
Born | Tuimalealiifano Va'aleto'a Eti Sualauvi II 29 April 1947 |
Political party | Independent |
Spouse(s) | Masiofo Fa'amausili Leinafo |
Alma mater | Australian National University Malua Theological College |
Biography
Tuimalealiifano Va'aleto'a Eti Sualauvi II is a member of the Tuimalealiifano family, a younger branch of the Sā Tupua state dynasty and one of the four paramount titles of Samoa.[4] He is married to Masiofo Faamausili Leinafo Tuimalealiifano.
He is the great-grandson of one of the Mau movement leaders, Tuimalealiifano Fa'aoloi'i Si'ua'ana, and grand-nephew of the sole Member of the Council of Deputies (1962–1974), Tui Aana Tuimaleaiifano Suatipatipa II.[5]
Early career
He worked as a policeman, lawyer and previously was a Samoan Police Chief Inspector and a secondary school teacher. He was a police officer in New Zealand for three years. He also served as a public-defender, public trustee, and barrister and solicitor in the Supreme Court of Samoa. He is an elder deacon and lay preacher for the Congregational Christian Church of Samoa in the village of Matautu Falelatai. He has preached sermons in Australia and New Zealand for the Christian Congregational Church of Samoa.
Statesmen
He was a member of the Council of Deputies to the Head of State from 1993 to 2001 and since 2004.[6] He was sworn in as O le Ao o le Malo on 21 July 2017.[7] In 2019, he hosted the visit of President Russell M. Nelson of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.[8]
Education
Tuimalealiifano has a bachelor's degree in Law from the Australian National University and a Diploma in Theological Studies from Malua Theological College.
References
- "Tui A'ana Tuimaleali'ifano Va'aleto'a Sualauvi II". Government of Samoa. Retrieved 5 July 2017.
- "New head of state for Samoa". Radio NZ. Retrieved 6 July 2017.
- "Tuimaleali'ifano Va'aleto'a Sualauvi II, is Samoa's fourth Head of State". Samoa Observer. 5 July 2017. Retrieved 5 July 2017.
- Tuimaleali'ifano, Morgan A. (19..-....). Auteur. (2006). O tama a 'aiga = he politics of succession to Samoa's paramount titles. Institute of Pacific Studies, University of the South Pacific. ISBN 978-982-02-0377-8. OCLC 494614506.
- Genealogy
- "Tui A'ana Tuimaleali'ifano Va'aleto'a Sualauvi II, is Samoa's fourth Head of State". Samoa Observer. 5 July 2017. Retrieved 5 July 2017.
- Samoa Planet
- Mayron, Sapeer. "Head of State greets President Nelson of the Church of Jesus Christ of the Latter Day Saints", Samoa Observer, 18 May 2019. Retrieved on 23 March 2020.
External links
Political offices | ||
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Preceded by Tanumafili II |
O le Ao o le Malo of Samoa Acting 2007 Served alongside: Tufuga Efi |
Succeeded by Tufuga Efi |
Preceded by Tufuga Efi |
O le Ao o le Malo of Samoa 2017–present |
Incumbent |