Malaysia is mourning the death of Siti Hasmah Mohamad Ali, the wife of former Prime Minister Mahathir Mohamad. She died at the age of 100 at Malaysia’s National Heart Institute, according to Malaysian state news agency Bernama and information confirmed by Mahathir’s office.
A Life Closely Linked to Malaysia’s History
Siti Hasmah was not only known as the wife of one of Malaysia’s most prominent political figures but also for her own contributions to public and social causes. She worked on issues including public health and family planning and was widely recognized for her simple personality and sense of humor.
She met Mahathir while they were studying medicine in Singapore in the late 1940s. The couple recently marked their 70th wedding anniversary and had seven children, including businessman Mokhzani Mahathir, social activist Marina Mahathir and politician Mukhriz Mahathir.
An Important Influence on Mahathir
Mahathir, who served as Malaysia’s prime minister for more than two decades in total, previously acknowledged the important role his wife played in his life and success.
He recalled that obtaining a university degree was uncommon among Malay women at the time and said he was impressed by Hasmah’s determination to pursue higher education. In a 2018 interview with CNN, Mahathir described her determination as a reflection of her strong character.
Mahathir’s Political Legacy
Mahathir first became prime minister in 1981 and remained in office until 2003. During that period, Malaysia underwent rapid industrial development and significant economic transformation.
He returned to the premiership in 2018 after a political comeback, becoming the country’s oldest prime minister. However, political divisions later led to the collapse of his coalition, and he left office in 2020.
Siti Hasmah’s death marks the end of a century-long life that was closely connected to Malaysia’s modern history, public service and one of the country’s most influential political families.
