Rachael Marape
Rachael Marape
Full Name: Rachael Marape
Native Name: Rachael Marape
Role: First Lady of Papua New Guinea
Spouse: James Marape
Children: Six
Nationality: Papua New Guinean
Years Active as First Lady: 30 May 2019–present
Introduction
As the wife of Prime Minister James Marape, Rachael Marape serves as the First Lady of Papua New Guinea, a role she has held since 2019. Although Papua New Guinea is a parliamentary constitutional monarchy and does not have a constitutionally defined office of First Lady, she is widely recognized as the spouse of the country’s Prime Minister and regularly performs the ceremonial and community responsibilities associated with the position.
A trained accountant who stepped back from her professional career to support her family and her husband’s public service, Rachael Marape has maintained a relatively private profile while increasingly appearing at national and international events. She has accompanied the Prime Minister on overseas visits and participated in initiatives focused on women, families, education, and community welfare.
Her story is particularly notable for the quiet role she has played behind one of Papua New Guinea’s longest-serving contemporary political leaders, while gradually developing her own public identity as an advocate for women and families. �
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Official Title: First Lady of Papua New Guinea (informal)
Papua New Guinea does not have a constitutionally established office of First Lady. However, Rachael Marape is commonly described as the First Lady or spouse of the Prime Minister.
She accompanies Prime Minister James Marape at official ceremonies, diplomatic visits, community events, and national celebrations. She has also participated in women’s and family-focused activities, helping give greater visibility to social issues affecting Papua New Guinean women and families. �
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Early Life
Rachael Marape is originally from East Sepik Province of Papua New Guinea.
She pursued a career in accounting and became a certified accountant. Before her husband’s rise to national leadership, she maintained a professional life largely outside the political spotlight.
Her professional background and experience as a mother have influenced her perspective on family welfare, education, and the responsibilities faced by women in Papua New Guinea. �
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Family Life
Rachael Marape is married to James Marape, who has served as Prime Minister of Papua New Guinea since 30 May 2019.
The couple have six children. Throughout her husband’s political career, including his years in government and his rise to the premiership, Rachael has remained an important source of family support.
James Marape has publicly acknowledged the sacrifices she made, including setting aside her professional career as an accountant to support him and their family during his years in public service. �
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Becoming First Lady
On 30 May 2019, James Marape became Prime Minister of Papua New Guinea, and Rachael Marape assumed the public role commonly associated with the Prime Minister’s spouse.
Her tenure has continued through James Marape’s re-election and ongoing premiership. As of 2026, he remains Prime Minister, making Rachael one of the longest-serving current spouses of a Pacific head of government. �
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Public Role
Rachael Marape has accompanied her husband during official international visits, including his 2025 visit to New Zealand, and has participated in national events focused on women, families, and community development. �
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In 2026, she joined the Prime Minister during Papua New Guinea’s International Women’s Day observance, participating in a women’s walk in Port Moresby. The event highlighted women’s rights, equality, and protection from violence. �
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Her public appearances are generally centred on family welfare, women’s issues, education, and community service rather than partisan politics.
A Symbol of Family and Quiet Service
Rachael Marape represents a more understated style of political spouse.
Rather than seeking constant public attention, she has largely supported her husband and family from behind the scenes while selectively using her position to speak about issues affecting women and children. Her journey from professional accountant to Prime Minister’s spouse reflects the sacrifices and responsibilities that often accompany life beside a national leader.
Her story also highlights the important, though often less visible, contribution of spouses to political families across the Pacific.
Legacy in Progress
Since becoming Prime Minister’s spouse in 2019, Rachael Marape has developed a public role grounded in family, women’s welfare, community service, and quiet support for national leadership.
As Papua New Guinea continues to address issues of women’s rights, education, health, and social development, she remains a visible representative of the Prime Minister’s family and an increasingly recognized advocate for the country’s women and families.
Her legacy is still being shaped, but her combination of professional experience, family dedication, and public service has made her an important figure in Papua New Guinea’s contemporary political landscape.
- 1946
- Papua New Guinea
- James Marape
- 30 May 2019–present
