section_path: Formal use/Historical diarchies/Samoa
section_name: Samoa
paragraph_text: Samoa
  
  At the establishment of the modern state of Samoa in 1962, the office of O le Ao o le Malo (head of state) was shared between the two chiefs Malietoa Tanumafili II and Tupua Tamasese Meaʻole. Meaʻole died the next year, after which the country functioned as a monarchy until the death of Tanumafili and a republic thereafter.