Baron Vaea
| Baron Vaea | |
|---|---|
 |
|
| Prime Minister of Tonga | |
|
In office 22 August 1991 – 3 January 2000 |
|
| Preceded by | Tu'i Pelehake (Fatafehi) |
| Succeeded by | 'Aho'eitu 'Unuaki'otonga Tuku'aho |
| Personal details | |
| Born |
15 May 1921 Tonga |
| Died | 7 June 2009 (aged 88) Houma, Tongatapu, Tonga |
| Spouse(s) | Baroness Tuputupu Vaea |
| Parents | Vīlai Tupou Tupou Seini |
| Religion | Methodism |
| Military career | |
| Service/branch |
 Royal New Zealand Air Force
|
| Years of service | 1942–1945 |
| Battles/wars | World War II |
Siaosi Tuʻihala ʻAlipate Vaea Tupou, who was more commonly known as Baron Vaea (15 May 1921 – 7 June 2009), was a Prime Minister of Tonga. Vaea was a nephew of Queen Sālote, who ruled Tonga from 1918 until 1965, and a member of the Tongan nobility. His career in the Tongan government spanned 54 years.
Vaea was Prime Minister from 22 August 1991 until 2000 under the former King Taufa'ahau Tupou IV. He had previously served as Tonga's first High Commissioner to the United Kingdom from 1969 until 1972, as well as in various ministerial posts from 1972 until his appointment as Prime Minister by King Taufa'ahau Tupou IV in 1991.
The late Vaea and his wife, Baroness Tuputupu Vaea, are the parents of the current Queen of Tonga, Nanasipauʻu Tukuʻaho.
Baron Vaea was born on 15 May 1921, to parents Vīlai Tupou and Tupou Seini. His father, Vīlai Tupou, was the half brother of Queen Sālote, while his mother, Tupou Seini, was the daughter of a Tongan nobleman named Vaea. He attended Wesley College, Auckland, from 1938 until 1941. He enlisted in the Royal New Zealand Air Force following his graduation from high school and the outbreak of World War II. Vaea served as a pilot in the Air Force from 1942 until 1945 piloting PBY Catalina reconnaissance flying boats.
Baron Vaea began working for the government of Tonga in January 1945 following his departure from the Royal New Zealand Air Force. He served his aunt, Queen Sālote, as Aide-de-Camp from 1953 until 1958.
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