Surangel Samuel Whipps Jr. Bio
Surangel Samuel Whipps Jr. (born 9 August 1968) is a Palauan businessman and politician who has served as the president of Palau since 21 January 2021. A native of the state of Ngatpang, he was born in Baltimore, Maryland, and leads a chain of supermarkets in Palau. Whipps previously served as a senator from 2008 to 2016 and is affiliated with the Independent political movement. He was re-elected to a second term as president in 2024.
Whipps campaigned on tax reform and the creation of additional sources of revenue for the Republic of Palau. On the international stage, he has prioritized stronger enforcement against illegal fishing, the protection of Palauan waters, and the continued recognition of Taiwan. He has also represented Palau at major global forums, including the COP26 climate conference in Glasgow.
Early Life and Background
Whipps was born in Baltimore, Maryland, to Surangel Whipps Sr. and Marilyn C. Whipps. His mother is from Maryland, and he is of Palauan and American ancestry. Although he was born in the United States, his family ties to the Pacific shaped his path back to the region. He is originally from the state of Ngatpang in Palau.
Whipps pursued his higher education in the United States, earning a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration and Economics from Andrews University. He later completed a Master of Business Administration at the University of California, Los Angeles, equipping him with the financial and managerial training that would later support both his business and political careers. In addition to his academic work, he is a member of the Seventh-day Adventist Church.
Path to Politics
Before entering public office, Whipps built a career in business, heading a chain of Palauan supermarkets. His success in commerce gave him a practical understanding of taxation, trade, and the everyday economic concerns of Palauan families. These experiences shaped the policy platform that would later define his political career.
Whipps transitioned to politics when he was elected to the Palau National Congress, serving as a senator from 2008 to 2016. In the 2016 Palauan general election, he ran against his brother-in-law, President Thomas Remengesau Jr., who was seeking re-election. Remengesau received 5,109 votes while Whipps won 4,854 votes, a close contest that positioned him as a serious contender in national politics.
Surangel Samuel Whipps Jr. Career
Early Career (2008–2016)
Whipps began his political career in 2008 when he was elected as a senator representing his home state of Ngatpang. During his eight years in the Palau National Congress, he focused on economic policy, working closely with colleagues on issues related to public finance and national development. His tenure gave him firsthand experience with the legislative process and the challenges facing a small island nation.
His most closely watched moment in this period came during the 2016 general election, when he challenged his brother-in-law, incumbent President Thomas Remengesau Jr. Although he narrowly lost the presidential contest, the campaign established Whipps as a leading voice for reform and a credible candidate for the country’s highest office in the future.
Presidential Election Victory (2020–2021)
Whipps ran for president in the 2020 Palauan presidential election and defeated Vice President Raynold Oilouch. His campaign emphasized tax reform and the creation of additional sources of revenue, promising to strengthen the country’s financial base. In an interview with The Guardian, the President-elect stated that Palau would more strongly oppose illegal fishing and trespassing in Palauan waters by the Chinese government, and he vowed to maintain the country’s recognition of Taiwan. He also proposed distributing the COVID-19 vaccine among Palau’s population, with an emphasis on healthcare workers.
Whipps assumed office as the President of Palau on 21 January 2021, beginning a new chapter for the Republic of Palau. His early agenda combined economic modernization with firm positions on maritime sovereignty and international partnerships.
Presidency and International Role (2021–Present)
During the COP26 meeting in Glasgow, Whipps delivered a powerful speech in which he said, “We are drowning, and our only hope is the life-ring you are holding,” strongly criticizing world powers for their response to climate change. His remarks drew international attention to the vulnerabilities faced by small island states. On 28 September 2022, on the occasion of the state funeral for Japan’s former Prime Minister Shinzo Abe in Tokyo, Whipps was one of only seven heads of state who had meetings with Japanese Emperor Naruhito.
In October 2022, President Whipps visited Taiwan for the second time in his presidency, arriving on 5 October and being welcomed by President Tsai Ing-wen. He also serves on the advisory council of the Krach Institute for Tech Diplomacy at Purdue University, an organization dedicated to accelerating the adoption of trusted technology to advance freedom. On 29 July 2024, he delivered the speech “Upholding the Common Heritage of Humankind” to the International Seabed Authority Assembly in Jamaica, arguing against seabed mining.
Re-election and Continued Leadership (2024–Present)
In the 2024 Palauan general election, Whipps was re-elected for a second term as president. He earned 5,626 votes, defeating former president Thomas Remengesau Jr., who received 4,103 votes. The decisive margin reflected continued public support for his economic and foreign policy priorities.
Looking ahead, President Whipps is expected to continue his focus on tax reform, diversified revenue, maritime protection, and Palau’s role in global climate and technology diplomacy throughout 2025. His second term provides an opportunity to build on the international relationships he has cultivated with partners including Taiwan, Japan, and the United States.
Surangel Samuel Whipps Jr. Family
Family Background and Personal Life
Surangel Samuel Whipps Jr. was born to Surangel S. Whipps Sr. and Marilyn C. Whipps. His father is Palauan, and his mother is from Maryland, giving him a blended Palauan and American heritage. The family has deep roots in the state of Ngatpang, where Whipps maintains his cultural and political ties.
Whipps married Valerie Esang Remengesau in 1999, and the couple have four children. The marriage connects the Whipps family to one of Palau’s most prominent political dynasties, as Valerie is related to former President Thomas Remengesau Jr. A practicing member of the Seventh-day Adventist Church, Whipps has also been involved in public expressions of compassion, including accompanying the surviving daughter of the DePaiva family following the December 2003 murders, and later declaring the family a “national family of Palau” during her return visits in 2018 and 2022.