Famous people from Tuvalu
Here is a list of famous people from Tuvalu. Curious if anybody from Tuvalu made it our most famous people in the world list? Read the aformentioned article in order to find out.
Willy Telavi
Politician
Willy Telavi is a Tuvaluan politician. He was first elected to parliament in 2006 and was re-elected in 2010; and became the Prime Minister of Tuvalu on 24 December 2010. He was removed on 1 August 2013 on grounds alleged by an opposition member that he attempted to break the Tuvaluan constitution by replacing the incumbent governor-general of Tuvalu. A day later, on 2 August 2013, Telavi's government was successfully brought down by opposition leader Enele Sopoaga through a vote of no confidence in Parliament.
Vaisua Liva
Footballer
Vaisua Liva is a Tuvaluan footballer who currently plays for Waitakere City FC, a club from New Zealand and the national football team of Tuvalu.
Enele Sopoaga
Diplomat
Enele Sosene Sopoaga is a Tuvaluan diplomat and politician and was elected to Parliament in the general election in 2010. He served as deputy prime minister and Minister for Foreign Affairs, the Environment and Labour in Prime Minister Maatia Toafa's short-lived government from September to December 2010. Following an unsuccessful bid for the premiership in December 2010, he became leader of the Opposition to Prime Minister Willy Telavi's government. He became caretaker Prime Minister on 1 August 2013 following Telavi's removal by the Governor General, in the context of a political crisis. A day later, on 2 August 2013, the opposition successfully voted out Telavi's government in a no confidence vote. Following this, a ballot was cast to elect the new prime minister of Tuvalu and Sopoaga won with 8 votes to 4. He was sworn in on 5 August 2013, and created his ministry the same day.
Iakoba Italeli
Politician
Sir Iakoba Taeia Italeli, GCMG, is a politician and the current Governor-General of Tuvalu since 16 April 2010.
Apisai Ielemia
Politician
Apisai Ielemia is a Tuvaluan politician. He served as the tenth Prime Minister of Tuvalu from 2006 to 2010, and was returned as a member of parliament in the general election of 2010.
Maatia Toafa
Politician
Maatia Toafa is a Tuvaluan politician, representing Nanumea who served two non-consecutive terms as Prime Minister of Tuvalu. He first served as Prime Minister from 2004 to 2006, from the resignation of his predecessor, Saufatu Sopoanga, until the defeat of his Cabinet in the 2006 general election. He was re-elected to parliament in the 2010 general election; and regained the premiership on 29 September 2010; however he lost the support of the parliament following a motion of confidence on 21 December of the same year. On 5 August Toafa became the Minister of Finance and Economic Development in the government following Enele Sopoaga becoming prime minister. Prior to entering domestic Tuvaluan politics, Toafa worked for the Pacific Islands Forum Secretariat in Suva, Fiji.
Filoimea Telito
Politician
Sir Filoimea Telito, GCMG, MBE was a political and religious figure from the Pacific nation of Tuvalu. He was born on Vaitupu where he attended primary school. He later attended King George V Secondary School in Tarawa, Kiribati.
Tomasi Puapua
Politician
Sir Tomasi Puapua, GCMG, KBE, PC is a political figure from the Pacific nation of Tuvalu.
Ali Takataka
Soccer Defender
Alinesi Takataka is a Tuvaluan footballer who currently plays for FC Tofaga.
Okilani Tinilau
Footballer
Okilani Tinilau is a Tuvaluan sprinter and footballer.
Saufatu Sopoanga
Politician
The Rt Hon Saufatu Sopoanga is a political figure from the Pacific nation of Tuvalu. Sopoanga was the eighth Prime Minister of Tuvalu and a foreign minister of Tuvalu.
George Panapa
Footballer
George Panapa is a Tuvaluan footballer who currently plays for FC Tofaga. His nickname is "little George".
Tuau Lapua Lapua
Weightlifter
Tuau Lapua Lapua is a Tuvaluan weightlifter. He competed at the 2012 Summer Olympics in the Men's 62 kg where he finished with a rank of 12. At the 2013 Pacific Mini Games, he "made history" by "winning his country’s first ever gold medal in major sporting competition", when he won the gold medal in weightlifting in the men’s 62 kilogram snatch.
Jelly Selau
Soccer Defender
Jelly Selau is a Tuvaluan footballer who currently plays for FC Manu Laeva as a midfielder.
Ionatana Ionatana
Politician
Ionatana Ionatana, CVO, OBE, was a political figure from the Pacific nation of Tuvalu. He was the fifth Prime Minister of Tuvalu from 27 April 1999 to his death on 8 December 2000.
Feleti Teo
Politician
Feleti Penitala Teo OBE, also spelled Feleti Te'o, is a Tuvaluan former Secretary General of the Pacific Islands Forum.
Kolone Pokia
Soccer Defender
Kolone Pokia is a Tuvaluan footballer, who currently plays for FC Tofaga.
Lopati Okelani
Soccer Forward
Lopati Okelani is a Tuvaluan footballer who currently plays for Nui. He plays for Tofaga as Nui has no team.
Tavau Teii
Politician
Tavau Teii is a political figure from the Pacific nation of Tuvalu.
Koloa Talake
Politician
The Rt Hon Koloa Talake is a political figure from the Pacific nation of Tuvalu.
Lagitupu Tuilimu
Politician
The Rt Hon Lagitupu Tulimu is a political figure from the Pacific nation of Tuvalu, who represented the constituency of Nanumea. He served as the Acting Prime Minister of Tuvalu from 8 December 2000 to 24 February 2001 following the death of incumbent Ionatana Ionatana.
Lutelu Tiute
Footballer
Lutelu Tanelua Tiute is a Tuvaluan footballer who currently plays for FC Tofaga.
Tavevele Noa
Olympic Track and field Athlete
Tavevele Noa is a sprinter, who is internationally representing Tuvalu. He represented Tuvalu at 2012 Olympic Games in London.
Etimoni Timuani
Soccer Defender
Etimoni Timuani is a Tuvaluan footballer who currently plays for Tofaga A.
Afelee F. Pita
Man
Afelee F. Pita, born February 11, 1958, is a Tuvaluan diplomat. He was Tuvalu's Permanent Representative to the United Nations from 2006 to 2012. Pita holds a Master's degree in public administration from the University of Canberra and a Bachelor of Arts degree in administration and accounting from the University of the South Pacific. He began his career as a senior official in government administration as assistant Secretary, and then Secretary, at the Tuvaluan Ministry of Commerce and Natural Resources, from 1987 to 1988. He was Assistant Secretary for Commerce from 1989 to 1993, then Acting Secretary at the Ministry of Trade, Commerce and Public Corporations in 1993. From 1994 to 1994, he served as Permanent Secretary in several successive ministries. From 2001 to 2004, Pita was Adviser to the Executive Director of the Asian Development Bank in Manila, where he served as representative for Australia, Azerbaijan, Cambodia, Hong Kong, Kiribati, the Federated States of Micronesia, Nauru, the Solomon Islands and Tuvalu. Returning to Tuvalu, Pita served as Permanent Secretary to the Ministry of Natural Resources and Lands from 2004 and 2006, before being appointed as Permanent Representative to the United Nations.
Joshua Tui Tapasei
Footballer
Joshua Tui Tapasei is a Tuvaluan footballer who currently plays for Nauti. Joshua is also the coach of the Tuvalu national under-15 football team.
James Lepaio
Soccer Midfielder
James Lepaio is a Tuvaluan footballer who currently plays for FC Tofaga.
Uota Ale
Soccer Midfielder
Uota Ale is a Tuvaluan footballer who currently plays for FC Tofaga.
Alamoana Tofuola
Footballer
Alamoana Tofuola is a Tuvaluan footballer who currently plays for FC Manu Laeva A.
Togavai Stanley
Footballer
Togavai Stanley is a Tuvaluan footballer who currently plays for Nauti Power FC, a club from Auckland.
Meauma Petaia
Soccer Midfielder
Meauma Petaia is a Tuvaluan footballer who currently plays for Tamanuku.
Raj Sogivalu
Soccer Midfielder
Raj Sogivalu is a Tuvaluan footballer who currently plays for Nauti FC.
Faiana Ofati
Soccer Goalkeeper
Faiana Ofati (born 2 February 1991) is a Tuvaluan footballer. As of 2011 he plays for the national team and Lakena United.