Michael Somare

Papua New Guinean political figure, former prime minister · Papua New Guinea · On the map · Politicians · Lived 1936 to 2021 · aged 84

Sir Michael Thomas Somare was a Papua New Guinean politician. Widely called the "father of the nation", he was the first Prime Minister after independence.

Michael Somare is read about 81 times a day, in 42 languages.

A typical day, 30 days to 9 November 2026

The middle day of the days counted, so one week of news cannot move it. The line under it is the last 113 days, one point a day.

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A life in dates

2021Died25 February 20212006Named Minister of Foreign AffairsOffice1 January 20062005Honorary doctor of the University of New CaledoniaAward2002Named Prime Minister of Papua New GuineaOffice5 August 2002 to 2 August 20112000Named Minister of Foreign AffairsOffice1 January 20001982Named Prime Minister of Papua New GuineaOffice2 August 1982 to 21 November 19851975Named Prime Minister of Papua New GuineaOffice16 September 1975 to 11 March 19801936Born9 April 1936

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Photos 3

Somare in 1973 next to Australian minister Bill Morrison

Somare and his wife Veronica, Lady Somare.

Awards

Honorary doctor of the University of New Caledonia2005

Knight of the Order of St. Gregory the Great

Knight Grand Cross of the Order of St Michael and St George

Grand Cordon of the Order of the Rising Sun

Companion of the Order of Fiji, General Division

About this person

At the time of his death, Somare was also the longest-serving prime minister, having been in office for 17 years over three separate terms: from 1975 to 1980; from 1982 to 1985; and from 2002 to 2011. His political career spanned from 1968 until his retirement in 2017. Besides serving as PM, he was minister of foreign affairs, leader of the opposition and governor of East Sepik Province.

Country

Papua New Guinea