She succeeded upon the death of Vazimba Queen Rangita, who by different accounts was either her mother or her adoptive sister.

This confusion in the oral tradition extends to the two women's very identities - according to different accounts, Rafohy may have been the mother of Rangita, and Rangita may have been the mother of the famed king Andriamanelo.

[citation needed] During Rahofy's reign, Merina influence grew.

[2] The mother of Andriamanelo (Rafohy or Rangita) married twice: while her first marriage eventually produced one son, the second marriage with a Merina named Manelobe produced a daughter and her eldest son whom she designated to succeed her upon her death.

Such a succession was a change from the traditional method, wherein kingdom was split between children.