Fetaui Mata'afa was the eldest daughter of Le Mamea Matatumua Ata OBE, a Framer of the Samoan Constitution, and Faalelei Masina Lupe.

Her husband, Fiame Mata'afa Faumuina Mulinu'u II, C.B.E., was Samoa's first Prime Minister following independence.

[3] As a result of her efforts, she held numerous Government and private sector posts in Samoa, and internationally primarily in the Pacific Region but also worldwide.

In 1964, she had bestowed upon her the chiefly orator's title "La'ulu" from the village of Lotofaga for which her husband was the then sitting member of parliament.

Her longest service was with the Western Samoa National Council of Women as President from 1965–1980 and general secretary from 1981 to 1989 and then as a Permanent Member of the Executive Committee.

Her activities in North America as a Member of the Nestle Infant Formula Audit Commission (NIFAC) based in Washington D.C., USA.

[6] Her funeral at Lotofaga was attended by government, diplomatic and international representatives including; Samoa's Head of State, Tui Ātua Tupua Tamasese Efi, a delegation from Tonga led by the Queen of Tonga, while among the diplomatic corps present was the Ambassador for China.