Penaia Ganilau

President of Fiji and Governor-General of Fiji (1918-1993)

Ratu Sir Penaia Kanatabatu Ganilau GCMG KCVO KBE DSO ED (28 July 1918 – 15 December 1993) was the first President of Fiji, serving from 8 December 1987 until his death in 1993. He was Governor-General of Fiji from 12 February 1983 to 15 October 1987.

Ratu Sir Penaia Ganilau

President of Fiji
In office
8 December 1987 – 15 December 1993
Preceded byElizabeth II
as Queen of Fiji
Succeeded byRatu Sir Kamisese Mara
3rd Governor-General of Fiji
In office
12 February 1983 – 15 October 1987
MonarchElizabeth II
Preceded byRatu Sir George Cakobau
Succeeded byOffice abolished
Deputy Prime Minister
In office
1973–1983
Preceded byEdward Cakobau
Minister for Fijian Affairs and Rural Development
In office
1977–1983
Minister for Home Affairs
In office
1975–1983
Minister for Communications, Works and Tourism
In office
1972–
Member of the Senate
In office
1970–1973
Minister for Home Affairs, Lands and Mineral Resources
In office
1970–1972
Minister for Fijian Affairs and Local Government
In office
1967–1970
Member of the Legislative Council
In office
1963–1966
ConstituencyWestern (Fijian)
Nominated Member of the Legislative Council
In office
1959–1963
Personal details
Born28 July 1918
Taveuni, Fiji
Died15 December 1993(1993-12-15) (aged 75)
Washington, D.C., U.S.
Resting placeTaveuni, Fiji[1][2]
Spouse(s)
  • Laisa Delaisomosomo (1949)
  • Asilina Davila (1974)
  • Bale Mavoa (1986)
Children7; including Epeli
OccupationSoldier, scholar

Ganilau died on 15 December 1993 in Washington, D.C. from sepsis caused by leukemia at the age of 75.[3]

References

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  1. "SHARKS DOG FUNERAL FLOTILLA OF LATE PRESIDENT OF FIJI - Orlando Sentinel".
  2. "Fijians mourn as President Ganilau'sbody returned from United States".
  3. "Penaia Ganilau, 75, Fiji Leader Who Became the First President". The New York Times. 17 December 1993.