Tupua Tamasese is the title of one of Samoa's four important paramount chiefs. Samoa's other three important paramount chiefs are the Malietoa, Mata'afa and Tu'imaleali'ifano.
Tupua Tamasese Mea'ole, who was Samoa's co-head of state at the time of the country's independence in 1962, served as Tupua Tamasese from 1929 until his death in 1963. Mea'ole was succeeded as Tupua Tamasese by Tupua Tamasese Lealofi-o-a'ana IV (1922–1983).
As of 2007, Samoa's Tupua Tamasese is Tupua Tamasese Tupuola Tufuga Efi, who is Lealofi-o-a'ana's successor. Tupua Tamasese Tupuola Tufuga Efi formerly served as the 3rd Prime Minister of Samoa. He was sworn in as Samoa's head of state, the O le Ao o le Malo, on June 16, 2007.
Read more about Tupua Tamasese: Succession List Since The 19th Century, See Also