Malietoa Tanumafili II
| Malietoa Tanumafili II | |
|---|---|
 |
|
| O le Ao o le Malo of Samoa | |
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In office 1 January 1962 – 11 May 2007 |
|
| Preceded by | John Bird Wright (as High Commissioner) |
| Succeeded by | Tupua Tamasese Tupuola Tufuga Efi |
| Malietoa | |
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In office 1940 – 11 May 2007 |
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| Preceded by | Malietoa Tanumafili I |
| Succeeded by | TBA |
| Personal details | |
| Born |
4 January 1913 Samoa |
| Died | 11 May 2007 (aged 94) Apia, Samoa |
| Resting place | Mulinu'u |
| Spouse(s) | Lili Tunu |
| Parents | Malietoa Tanumafili I and Momoe Lupeuluiva Meleisea |
| Religion | Bahá'í |
Malietoa Tanumafili II GCMG CBE (4 January 1913 – 11 May 2007), also called Susuga, was the Malietoa, the title of one of Samoa's four paramount chiefs, and the head of state, or O le Ao o le Malo, a position that he held for life, of Samoa from 1962 to 2007. He was co-chief of state in 1962 and became the sole head of state on 15 April 1963. At the time of his death, he was the oldest national leader in the world. It is a common mistake that the Malietoa title is a title equivalent to a king-ship. Malietoa is known as the first warrior title, and is respected not as a King but as a Tamaaiga or Ao Mamalu ole Malo.
He was born in 1913 as the son and third child of his parents, Malietoa Tanumafili I and Momoe Lupeuluiva Meleisea. He was chosen as the Mālietoa in 1940 following his father's death on 5 July 1939.
Tanumafili was educated at the government run Leififi School in Samoa. He went on to enroll at St. Stephen's School and Wesley College in Pukekohe, both of which are in New Zealand. Malietoa was an active athlete during his younger years. His favorite sports included boxing, rugby and cricket. Malietoa's interest in sports continued throughout his life and he was an avid golfer well into his 90s. He could often be seen driving his golf cart around Samoa.
His wife, Lili Tunu, died in 1986. Tanumafili had nine surviving children at the time of his death in 2007: Su'a Vainuupo, Faamausili Moli, Papali'itele Titiuatoa, Papali'itele Ioane, Papali'itele Douglas (sons) and Seiuli Tutai, Lola Tosi and Momoe (daughters). One child died in infancy, while his sons, Papaliitele Eti,died in 2005, Papali'itele Molioo Laupepa, died in 1985.
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.
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