Vaea Maret

**Vaea Marie Jeanne Maret** (25 July 1944 – 26 October 2013) was a Maronan television personality, model, and beauty pageant titleholder who was crowned Miss Parth 1965. Having also won Miss Marone 1965, Maret was the third Maronan woman and second Miss Marone winner to be crowned Miss Parth. She was previously crowned Miss Wahiti 1964, making her the first woman from Maronan Naysia, the first with non-Eurean ethnic origins, and the second from overseas Marone to be crowned Miss Marone.

Following her pageantry career, Maret became a television personality on Naysie La Troisième as the host of the variety show *Vaea* (1967–2009), which went on to become the most television successful program in Maronan Naysia during its 40-year run. She retired from her television career in 2009.

## Early life and education

Maret was born on 25 July 1944 in Laalāe, on the island of Wahiti in the colony of Maronan Naysia, to parents Hurimaavehi (1920–2007) and Vavea Maret (née *Veve*; 1922–2008). Her parents were both born in Wahiti, her father to a Maronan father and Wahitian mother, and her mother to a Wahitian father and Shinese mother. Her father worked as a firefighter, while her mother was a Wahitian dancer and dance instructor. Maret was the eldest of three children and only daughter; her younger brothers included Niuhu (1946–2019) and Farerohi (1949–1985).

Maret began her education in 1949, attending public schooling in Laalāe. While in school, Maret began studying Wahitian dance, and aspired to become a dancer like her mother. She graduated from primary school in 1956, and later completed *collège* as well in 1959. Maret subsequently enrolled in the Wahiti School of the Arts, a public *lycée*, where she studied a *lycée professionnel* program in dance and the performing arts, and graduated in 1961. Following her graduation, Maret began working as a professional Wahitian dancer and dance instructor, along with her mother.

## Pageantry

### Miss Marone 1965

Maret began her pageantry career in 1964, after registering to compete in the Miss Wahiti 1964 pageant. After passing through the initial auditions, Maret was eventually selected as one of the ten finalists in the pageant. The pageant was ultimately held in June 1964, which saw Maret being crowned as Miss Wahiti 1964. While she was initially confirmed to be representing Maronan Naysia at Miss Parth 1964 in August 1964, much like past titleholders, Maret was later removed from the competition for undisclosed reasons just one week prior to her scheduled departure. The following month, it was confirmed by Miss Wahiti and Miss Marone pageant organizers that Maret would represent Maronan Naysia at Miss Marone 1965 in December 1964, becoming the first titleholder to compete at the national pageant.

Miss Marone was held in Vièça, and Maret entered the competition as the heavy favorite to win according to the Maronan media, with significant fanfare surrounding her being the first Wahitian woman to compete in the pageant. Maret went on to advance into the Top 7, and ultimately was crowned the winner, becoming the first woman from Maronan Naysia, the first woman of non-Eurean ethnic origin, and the second woman from overseas Marone to be crowned Miss Marone. During her reign, Maret resided in Delmas and worked as a promotional model and brand representative both domestically and internationally for Miss Marone and its sponsors.

### Miss Parth 1965

As Miss Marone, Maret competed in Miss Parth 1965 in August 1965, becoming the first representative of Marone to hail from overseas Marone. Maret went on to advance to the Top 5, before ultimately being crowned the winner, becoming the third Maronan woman to win the title and the first titleholder of Naysian ethnic origin. Similarly to after the victory of Mona Gourvil at Miss Parth 1955, the Maronan media reported that Maret would have to resign as Miss Marone in order to reign as Miss Parth. Évelyne von Kupp denied these allegations, but stated that Maret's first runner-up at Miss Marone, Sebastiana Arrache, would begin serving a greater role within the organization and deputizing Maret when she was not available. Maret's victory at Miss Parth was credited for a subsequent increase in Naysian culture, both within Marone and internationally. Additionally, following Maret's victories at both Miss Marone and Miss Parth, the beauty pageant industry of Maronan Naysia saw a significant uptick in popularity, which has continued into the 21st century.

As Miss Parth, Maret relocated to Danchester, and was given the opportunity to act as a model and brand ambassador for the sponsors of the Miss Parth competition, in addition to working as an ambassador internationally for the competition as a whole. During her year, Maret traveled to more than 40 countries around the world, participating in photoshoots, fashion shows, and interviews, while appearing as a guest at charity galas, film and television productions, red carpets, and national beauty pageants. After completing her reign following the crowning of Miss Parth 1966, Maret opted to return to her home in Maronan Naysia.

## Television career

Maret returned to Maronan Naysia in August 1966, after passing on her title at Miss Parth 1966. Now considered to be a household name, it was reported in the Wahitian press that Maret was strongly considering pursuing a career in television, a newly emerging medium in Maronan Naysia at the time. In March 1967, Maret and Naysie La Troisième released a joint statement that Maret had signed on to host her own program on the network beginning in the summertime.

Her series, titled *Vaea*, debuted on 15 July 1967 at 7:30 pm, and aired weekly episodes on Saturday evenings year-round. The series featured Maret interviewing guests both from Maronan Naysia, metropolitan Marone, and abroad, introducing musical performances, discussing various topics with audience members, and showcasing Wahitian dance performances, which Maret formerly practiced professionally. The show was instantly a ratings hit, with 89.5% of Maronan Naysians that owned a television watching its premiere episode. Throughout the show's duration, Maret discussed often taboo and controversial topics within Maronan Naysian society, in order to break barriers and provide a voice to those lacking representation; some topics touched upon included feminism, religion, colonialism, LGBT acceptance, and discrimination. Maret went on to host the show for 42 years, prior to its conclusion in 2009. Maret had stated that she decided to end the show, as she would be turning 65 and had hoped to be able to live the rest of her life as a "retired grandmother."

In addition to *Vaea*, Maret was frequently involved in the Miss Wahiti, Miss Marone, and Miss Parth pageants following her reign. She had served as a host of Miss Wahiti for several years between the 1970s and 2000s, additionally appearing as a judge at Miss Marone and Miss Parth, and as the co-host of Miss Parth 1989, held in Wahiti.

## Personal life

Maret married Wahitian professional surfer Tati Enometua in November 1968, following a two-year relationship. Their wedding was heavily reported on by the local Wahitian press, by whom it was deemed the "wedding of the century." Maret later announced her pregnancy in June 1974, and gave birth to a son, Aru, in December 1974. The family resided in Nirāe on Wahiti. In 1992, Maret and her son moved into a home in Uoto. At the time of her death, Maret was also a grandmother to Aru's six children.

Maret filed for divorce from Enometua in September 1986. The divorce, which was finalized in August 1987, and the ensuing custody battle over their son, was reported on significantly by the Wahitian press. During the custody battle, Maret accused Enometua of physical, verbal, and sexual abuse towards her, and physical and verbal abuse towards their son. The courts ultimately decided in favor of Maret, and she was granted full custody of their son, in addition to a restraining order for herself and their son against Enometua. Maret did not remarry following the divorce, instead often remarking that her primary focus was on her son.

In 1998, Maret was named a Knight of the Order of Wahiti Nui, following the order's creation by the Regional Council of Maronan Naysia. She was later named an Officer of the Order of Wahiti Nui in 2008.

## Death

Maret was diagnosed with glioblastoma, an aggressive brain tumor, in July 2013. Due to the poor prognosis, Maret opted not to pursue treatment, and later died of the disease at her home in Uoto on 26 October 2013, aged 69. Following her death, the Wahitian media launched several tributes to her life and career, and the Regional Council of Maronan Naysia observed a moment of silence.