First Lady of Palau
Flag of Palau
Incumbent
Valerie Whipps
since 21 January 2021
Inaugural holderRegina Remeliik
Formation2 March 1981

First Lady of Palau is the official title attributed to the wife of the president of Palau. The country's current first lady is Valerie Whipps, wife of President Surangel Whipps Jr., who had held the position since 21 January 2021.

First ladies of Palau

Name Portrait Term Began Term Ended President Notes
Regina Namiko Remeliik[1] 2 March 1981 30 June 1985 Haruo Remeliik Born Regina Blaires, she worked a nurse and teacher before becoming the inaugural First Lady of Palau.[1][2][3] President Remeliik was assassinated on June 30, 1985.[1]
Ferista Esang Remengesau 30 June 1985 2 July 1985 Thomas Remengesau Sr. Served as First Lady during both her husband's short tenures. Esang Remengesau was also the mother of President Tommy Remengesau.[4]
Josepha Oiterong 2 July 1985 25 October 1985 Alfonso Oiterong [5][6]
Christina Salii 25 October 1985 20 August 1988 Lazarus Salii Known as Tina Salii, she was First Lady from 1985 until President Salii's death in office in 1988.[7] In 2007, Salii was named Dilbuked of Ngerchedok Clan of Ngebuked village in Ngaraard state, the counterpart to the traditional male chiefs.[8] Salii and the late president are the parents of Kathleen M. Salii, the first female Palauan justice of the Supreme Court of Palau.[9]
Ferista Esang Remengesau 20 August 1988 1 January 1989 Thomas Remengesau Sr. Ferista Esang Remengesau's second tenure as First Lady of Palau.[4]
? 1 January 1989 1 January 1993 Ngiratkel Etpison
Elong Nakamura 1 January 1993 1 January 2001 Kuniwo Nakamura Former First Lady Elong Ebiledil Nakamura died on November 17, 2018, at the age of 74.[10][11]
Debbie Remengesau 1 January 2001 15 January 2009 Tommy Remengesau Jr. Remengesau's first tenure as first lady.
Valeria Toribiong 15 January 2009 17 January 2013 Johnson Toribiong
Debbie Remengesau 17 January 2013 21 January 2021 Tommy Remengesau Jr. Second tenure as first lady, beginning in January 2013 and sister-in-law of Valerie Whipps.
Valerie Whipps 21 January 2021 Present Surangel Whipps Jr. The Sister of Former President.Tommy Remengesau Jr.

References

  1. ^ a b c "President Remeliik killed" (PDF). The National Union. 30 June 1985. Archived (PDF) from the original on 23 June 2019. Retrieved 14 August 2019.
  2. ^ "Micronesia in Review: Issues and Events, 1 July 2010 to 30 June 2011 (page 167)" (PDF). The Contemporary Pacific. University of Hawaii Press. 2012. Archived (PDF) from the original on 14 August 2019. Retrieved 14 August 2019.
  3. ^ "First Lady of Palau remembered". Oceania Television Network. Micronesia Network. 5 January 2011. Archived from the original on 14 August 2019. Retrieved 14 August 2019.
  4. ^ a b Partido, Gerry (4 August 2019). "Former Palau president dies at 89; Guam governor sends condolences". Pacific News Center. Archived from the original on 5 August 2019. Retrieved 14 August 2019.
  5. ^ Nakamura, Kuniwo (31 August 1994). "Presidential Proclamation No. 06-94 Regarding Untimely Death of Late Rebes Alfonso R. Oiterong" (PDF). Office of the President of Palau. Archived from Presidential Proclamations/Proclamation 06-94.pdf the original (PDF) on 2 April 2017. Retrieved 14 August 2019. ((cite news)): Check |url= value (help)
  6. ^ Craig, Robert D. (1980). "Who's Who in Oceania". ISBN 9780939154135. Retrieved 14 August 2019.
  7. ^ Kluge, Paul Frederick (1993). "The Edge of Paradise: America in Micronesia". University of Hawaii Press. ISBN 9780824815677. Retrieved 14 August 2019.
  8. ^ Rodriguez Jr., Nazario (22 June 2007). "Cultural Rites Celebrate Palau Heritage". Palau Horizon. Pacific Islands Report. Archived from the original on 14 August 2019. Retrieved 14 August 2019.
  9. ^ Sayson, Malou (1 August 2000). "Palau Has First Local Female Justice". Palau Horizon. Pacific Islands News Association. Archived from the original on 14 August 2019. Retrieved 14 August 2019.
  10. ^ Pojas, Rhealyn (4 December 2018). "Former First Lady Elong Nakamura Honored". Island Times. Archived from the original on 14 August 2019. Retrieved 14 August 2019.
  11. ^ Remengesau Jr., Tommy (3 December 2018). "Presidential Proclamation No. 18-253: First Lady Ebiledil Elong Lucy Ngiratecheboet Nakamura". Office of the President of Palau. Palau Wave Radio. Archived from the original on 14 August 2019. Retrieved 14 August 2019.
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