Siti Hasmah, wife of former Malaysian PM Mahathir, dies aged 100 - CNA
She died at Malaysia's National Heart Institute at about 9.20am on Sep 28.
Siti Hasmah Mohamad Ali died at the National Heart Institute at about 9.20am on Monday. (Photo: Facebook/Marina Mahathir)
KUALA LUMPUR: Siti Hasmah Mohamad Ali, the wife of former Malaysian prime minister Mahathir Mohamad, died on Monday (Sep 28) at the age of 100.
She died at the National Heart Institute at about 9.20am, local media reported.
Hasmah was a doctor who used her platform as the former prime minister’s wife to advocate maternal health, family planning, literacy, drug abuse prevention and mental health.
She had celebrated her 100th birthday on Jul 12. The following month, she was recognised by ASEAN Records as the Oldest Living Spouse of a Former Prime Minister.
Malaysian king Sultan Ibrahim Sultan Iskandar expressed condolences on the passing of Hasmah in a Facebook post on Monday.
“Their Majesties prayed that her entire family would be granted strength, fortitude and patience in coping with the loss of their beloved family member,” Sultan Ibrahim posted on Facebook.
Mahathir, 101, served as Malaysia’s prime minister for two periods - from 1981 to 2003 and from 2018 to 2020.
Hasmah had been married to Mahathir since 1956 and they marked 70 years together in August.
CNA Games Guess Word Crack the word, one row at a time Buzzword Create words using the given letters Mini Sudoku Tiny puzzle, mighty brain teaser Mini Crossword Small grid, big challenge Word Search Spot as many words as you can Show More Show Less FILE - Former Malaysian Prime Minister Mahathir Mohamad, left, and his wife Siti Hasmah smile as they attend at the general assembly during United Malays National Organization (UMNO) 58th anniversary celebration in Kuala Lumpur, Sep 23, 2004. (AP Photo/Vincent Thian,File) Dr Siti Hasmah Mohamad Ali and her husband, former Malaysian prime minister Mahathir Mohamad, at their villa in Langkawi on May 7, 2018. (Photo: TODAY/Raj Nadarajan) Dr Siti Hasmah Mohamad Ali, wife of Dr Mahathir Mohamad at a rally in Papar, Sabah on Nov 7, 2022. (Photo: CNA/Raj Nadarajan) Dr Siti Hasmah (left) presented with the NUS Distinguished Alumni Service Award in 2018. (Photo: CNA/Hanidah Amin) They met as medical students at what was then known as King Edward VII College of Medicine in Singapore.
In her memoir titled "My Name is Hasmah" that was published in 2016, she described Mahathir as her "hero" who helped her with her studies, as she struggled with physics and chemistry.
Upon graduation, Hasmah, who was born in Selangor, became the first woman to be appointed a medical officer in the government service in Kedah, her husband’s hometown.
They have seven children, including social activist and writer Marina Mahathir and former Kedah chief minister Mukhriz Mahathir.
