Death and state funeral of Malietoa Tanumafili II
Malietoa Tanumafili's coffin lying in state outside parliament | |
| Date |
|
|---|---|
| Location | |
Malietoa Tanumafili II, the O le Ao o le Malo (head of state) of Samoa and paramount chief of the Malietoa lineage, died on 11 May 2007, aged 94. At the time of his death, he was head of state for over 45 years, having been appointed for life to the post when Samoa gained independence in 1962. His state funeral was held on 18 May and was attended by a significant amount of domestic and regional dignitaries.