His death was announced by Samoan Secretary of State Vaasatia Poloma Komiti on SBC TV1.
Malietoa Tanumafili II was the world's third longest ruling living head of state at the time of his death in May 2007 after Thailand's King Bhumibol Adulyadej, who reigned from 1946 until his death in 2016 and Britain's Queen Elizabeth II, who has reigned since 1952 [REF].