His Excellency Sir Anthony Mamo KUOM OBE QC |
|
---|---|
1st President of Malta | |
In office 13 December 1974 – 27 December 1976 |
|
Prime Minister | Dom Mintoff |
Preceded by |
Elizabeth II as Queen of Malta |
Succeeded by | Anton Buttigieg |
2nd Governor General of Malta | |
In office 4 July 1971 – 13 December 1974 |
|
Monarch | Elizabeth II |
Prime Minister | Dom Mintoff |
Preceded by | Maurice Dorman |
Succeeded by | position abolished |
Personal details | |
Born | 9 January 1909 Birkirkara, Malta |
Died | 1 May 2008 Mosta, Malta |
(aged 99)
Political party | Independent |
Spouse(s) | Margaret Agius (1939-2002; her death) |
Children | 3 |
Religion | Roman Catholicism |
Sir Anthony Joseph Mamo KUOM OBE QC (9 January 1909 – 1 May 2008) was the first President of Malta and previously served as the last Governor-General, representing Elizabeth II as Queen of Malta, when the country was a Commonwealth realm. He was also the first Maltese citizen to be appointed Governor-General, and before independence, briefly served as acting Governor.
Mamo was born in the town of Birkirkara, the son of Joseph Mamo and Carla Brincat. He was educated at the University of Malta where he earned a bachelor's degree in 1931 and his law degree in 1934. He was in private practice for a year before joining the civil service. He served as Crown Counsel from 1942 and later became attorney general.
Mamo was never involved directly in politics. He was appointed as Chief Justice of Malta in 1957 where he served until 1971 when he was appointed as the first Maltese Governor-General. He served in that position until 13 December 1974, when Malta was proclaimed a republic. He served as president from that date until he was succeeded by Anton Buttigieg on 27 December 1976.
Mamo was married to Lady Margaret (née Agius) and had three children; Josephine (married to Victor E. Tortell), Monica (married to George Pisani) and John (married to Tessa née' Scicluna).
Mamo died on 1 May 2008 at the age of 99, at Casa Arkati Home for Elderly. From 8 June 2007, when former Somali President Aden Abdullah Osman Daar died until his own death, Mamo was the world's oldest living former head of state.