Wife of former Malaysian PM Mahathir dies at 100

The wife of Malaysia's longest-serving prime minister, Mahathir Mohamad, has died at the age of 100. Siti Hasmah Mohamad Ali was known not just as a former first lady, but also for her contributions to public health and social welfare in Malaysia.

Mahathir's office said Siti Hasmah died on Monday morning at a hospital in Kuala Lumpur. The surviving former premier, aged 101, is known for modernizing Malaysia during his more than 20 years in office.

Born in 1926, Siti Hasmah attended medical school in Singapore, where she met her husband. After marrying Mahathir in 1956, she went on to pursue a career as a medical officer in the field of maternal care while raising seven children. The couple celebrated their 70th wedding anniversary last month.

Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim expressed deep sorrow in a statement on Monday. He said he had instructed government officials to arrange a funeral with full state honors for her.