Tuilaepa Lupesoliai Neioti Aiono Sailele Malielegaoi
Short Background
Born at Lepa, Samoa, Malielegaoi is an economist by profession. He attended high school at St Joseph’s College, Lotopa then obtained a master’s from the University of Auckland, becoming the first Samoan to receive a master’s degree in commerce.
He was first elected to the Samoan parliament in 1980 and became Deputy Prime minister in Tofilau Eti Alesana’s 4th administration in 1991. Tuilaepa took over the Human Rights Protection Party’s leasdership and Prime Minister when Tofilau passed away in 1998.
