This member of Polynesian royalty began his reign as King of Tonga in early 2012. He had previously served as both Prime Minister of Tonga and Tongan High Commissioner to Australia.
After studying at the University of East Anglia, he joined the Tonga Defense Services and went on to train at the United States Naval War College. He later earned a military science degree from the University of New South Wales and an international relations degree from Bond University.
He became King of Tonga following the death of his older brother, King George Tupou V.
His marriage to Queen Nanasipau'u Tuku'aho resulted in three children: Princess Angelika Lātūfuipeka Tukuʻaho, Prince Tupoutoʻa ʻUlukalala and Prince Ata.
His contemporary, Moana Kalosil, also held a high-ranking position within the government of a Polynesian island nation. In 2013, Kalosil began serving as Prime Minister of the Republic of Vanuatu.
