He was born in 1905 as the son of Tupua Tamasese Lealofi-o-a'ana III, whom he succeeded upon his death in 1929.
Under the New Zealand Trusteeship of Samoa (1914-1962), he was one of the two Fautuas (Advisers) to the New Zealand Administration, along with Malietoa Tanumafili II. He was one of the Framers of the Constitution of Samoa upon its independence.
He was honoured with a "CBE". (Commander of The Most Excellent Order of the British Empire)
He was succeeded by Tupua Tamasese Lealofi-o-a'ana IV (1922-1983) as Tupua Tamasese who was succeeded by Mea'ole's son, Tupua Tamasese Tupuola Taisi Tufuga Efi, the former 3rd Prime Minister of Samoa and the current O le Ao o le Malo.