Anthony Mamo

His Excellency Sir Anthony Mamo KUOM OBE QC
1st President of Malta
In office 13 December 1974 – 27 December 1976
Prime Minister	Dom Mintoff
Preceded by	Elizabeth II as Queen of Malta
Succeeded by	Anton Buttigieg
2nd Governor General of Malta
In office 4 July 1971 – 13 December 1974
Monarch	Elizabeth II
Prime Minister	Dom Mintoff
Preceded by	Maurice Dorman
Succeeded by	position abolished
Personal details
Born	9 January 1909 Birkirkara, Malta
Died	1 May 2008 (aged 99) Mosta, Malta
Political party	Independent
Spouse(s)	Margaret Agius (1939-2002; her death)
Children	3
Religion	Roman Catholicism

Sir Anthony Joseph Mamo KUOM OBE QC (9 January 1909 – 1 May 2008) was the first President of Malta and previously served as the last Governor-General, representing Elizabeth II as Queen of Malta, when the country was a Commonwealth realm. He was also the first Maltese citizen to be appointed Governor-General, and before independence, briefly served as acting Governor.

Early life

The house were Anthony Mamo was born. A plaque commemorates this on the façade

Mamo was born in the town of Birkirkara, the son of Joseph Mamo and Carla Brincat. He was educated at the University of Malta where he earned a bachelor's degree in 1931 and his law degree in 1934. He was in private practice for a year before joining the civil service. He served as Crown Counsel from 1942 and later became attorney general.^[1]

Political career

Memorial monument found at the back of St Helen's Basilica, Birkirkara

Mamo was never involved directly in politics. He was appointed as Chief Justice of Malta in 1957 where he served until 1971 when he was appointed as the first Maltese Governor-General. He served in that position until 13 December 1974, when Malta was proclaimed a republic. He served as president from that date until he was succeeded by Anton Buttigieg on 27 December 1976.^[1]

Honours

National Honours

•  Malta : Companion of Honour of the National Order of Merit (06.04.90) by right as a former President of Malta^[1]

Commonwealth Honours

• Commonwealth of Nations :
  • Officer of the Order of the British Empire (1955),
  • Knight Bachelor (1957)

Family

Mamo was married to Lady Margaret (née Agius) and had three children; Josephine (married to Victor E. Tortell), Monica (married to George Pisani) and John (married to Tessa née' Scicluna).

Death

Mamo died on 1 May 2008 at the age of 99, at Casa Arkati Home for Elderly.^[1] From 8 June 2007, when former Somali President Aden Abdullah Osman Daar died until his own death, Mamo was the world's oldest living former head of state.

References

1. Sir Anthony Mamo: State funeral tomorrow; The Times of Malta, 1 May 2008