Tupua Tamasese Meaʻole
Served: 1962–1963
One of the two joint heads of state at independence on 1 January 1962, serving alongside Malietoa Tanumafili II until his death on 5 April 1963.
List of Presidents of Samoa: Past and Present
Last updated
This page lists the presidents and heads of state of Samoa from 1962 to the present, with the years each leader was in office and a short summary of their time in power. Use it to find the current head of state of Samoa, former leaders, and key dates in the country's political history.
Current head of state of Samoa: Tuimalealiʻifano Vaʻaletoʻa Sualauvi II (in office since 2017). Samoa's head of state is called the O le Ao o le Malo and is a largely ceremonial office. Since 2007 the holder has been elected by Parliament for a five-year term, and a 2019 amendment limits the holder to two terms; executive power rests with the prime minister. Samoa's constitution has no office titled president.
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Presidents of Samoa in order, with years in office
Malietoa Tanumafili II
Served: 1962–2007
Joint head of state from independence and sole head of state from 1963; he held the office for life until his death on 11 May 2007.
Tui Ātua Tupua Tamasese Efi
Served: 2007–2017
Former prime minister and son of Meaʻole; acting head of state from 11 May 2007, elected by Parliament on 16 June 2007 and re-elected in 2012.
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Tuimalealiʻifano Vaʻaletoʻa Sualauvi II
Served: 2017–present
Appointed in July 2017 and sworn in on 21 July 2017; reappointed for a second five-year term in August 2022.
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Frequently asked questions about the presidents of Samoa
Who is the current head of state of Samoa?
The current head of state of Samoa is Tuimalealiʻifano Vaʻaletoʻa Sualauvi II, in office since 2017. Samoa's head of state is called the O le Ao o le Malo and is a largely ceremonial office. Since 2007 the holder has been elected by Parliament for a five-year term, and a 2019 amendment limits the holder to two terms; executive power rests with the prime minister. Samoa's constitution has no office titled president.
Who were the previous presidents of Samoa?
The presidents and heads of state of Samoa listed on this page, in order, are: Tupua Tamasese Meaʻole, Malietoa Tanumafili II, Tui Ātua Tupua Tamasese Efi, Tuimalealiʻifano Vaʻaletoʻa Sualauvi II.
Sources: Wikipedia, O le Ao o le Malo and Tuimalealiʻifano Vaʻaletoʻa Sualauvi II; Samoa Observer and PINA reports confirming the head of state in office through October 2026 (checked Nov 2026). Complete list of heads of state since independence in 1962, including the joint head of state of 1962–1963.. Last reviewed November 2026.
Presidents of other Oceania countries
Presidents of Fiji · Presidents of Kiribati · Presidents of Marshall Islands · Presidents of Micronesia · Presidents of Nauru · Presidents of Palau · Presidents of Vanuatu · All Oceania presidents · All countries A–Z