Malietoa Tanumafili II
His Highness Susuga Malietoa Tanumafili II | |
|---|---|
Tanumafili in 1962 | |
| O le Ao o le Malo of Samoa | |
| In office 1 January 1962 – 11 May 2007 | |
| Prime Minister | |
| Preceded by | Office established (Jack Wright as Administrator) |
| Succeeded by | Tui Ātua Tupua Tamasese Efi |
| Malietoa | |
| Tenure | 7 January 1940 – 11 May 2007 |
| Predecessor | Malietoa Tanumafili I |
| Successor | Malietoa Moli II |
| Born | 4 January 1913 German Samoa |
| Died | 11 May 2007 (aged 94) Motoʻotua, Samoa |
| Burial | 18 May 2007 Mulinuʻu, Samoa |
| Spouse |
Le Afioga i le Masiofo, Lili Tunu
(m. 1940; died 1986) |
| Father | Malietoa Tanumafili I |
| Mother | Momoe Lupeuluiva Meleisea |
Malietoa Tanumafili II GCMG CBE (4 January 1913 – 11 May 2007) was a Samoan paramount chief and politician who was O le Ao o le Malo (head of state) of Samoa from its independence in 1962, and the holder of the Malietoa title from 1940, until his death in 2007.
After becoming the Malietoa, he worked as a civil servant and parliamentarian. When the state of Western Samoa was founded in 1962, gaining independence from New Zealand, he became joint head of state with Tupua Tamasese Meaʻole, who died on 15 April 1963, after which he remained the office's sole occupant until his own death.