O le Ao o le Malo

The O le Ao o le Malo (lit. 'chief of the state' in Samoan) is the ceremonial head of state of Samoa. The position is described in Part III of the 1960 Samoan constitution.

At the time the constitution was adopted, it was anticipated that future heads of state would be chosen from among the four tamaʻāiga paramount chiefs in line with customary protocol. This is not a constitutional requirement, so Samoa can be considered a parliamentary republic rather than a constitutional monarchy. The government press secretariat describes the O le Ao o le Malo as a "ceremonial president". Similar to monarchs, the holder is given the formal style of Highness, as are the heads of the four paramount chiefly dynasties. The English title of Head of State (HOS) is also used for the office.

Members of the Council of Deputies act as deputies to the head of state, substituting in the event of a vacancy or when the head of state is unable to fulfil their duties, such as when they are either absent or ill.

The current O le Ao o le Malo is Tuimalealiʻifano Vaʻaletoʻa Sualauvi II, who was elected to a five-year term which started on 21 July 2017. He was re-elected to a second five-year term on 24 August 2022, and renewed his oath of office on 19 October.