Malietoa Tanumafili II of Samoa

From Freepedia

His Highness Malietoa Tanumafili II (born January 4, 1913) (also called Susuga) is one of the paramount chiefs and the current head of state (O le Ao o le Malo) of Samoa. He holds this position for life. He descends from Samoa's four kingly families (Aiga Tupu) and holds one of the paramount titles. This is the Malietoa title.

Upon Samoa's independence in 1962, he was joint head of state with Tupua Tamasese. When the latter died in 1963, he became sole head of state. As of August 2005, Malietoa Tanumafili is the third-longest serving head of state in the world, after the King of Thailand and Queen Elizabeth II.

Malietoa Tanumafili II is a follower of the Bahá'í Faith. He is only 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.