The spouse of the president of Singapore, sometimes referred to as the first lady or first gentleman, is a title typically held by the wife or husband of the president of Singapore, concurrent with the president's term in office. A courtesy term not enshrined in the Constitution, the spouse's role has never been codified or officially defined, but nevertheless figures prominently in the political and social life of Singapore.
By tradition, an official portrait of the spouse of the president of Singapore is prominently displayed in government buildings and public institutions alongside the portrait of the president. Jane Yumiko Ittogi is currently the spouse of the ninth President of Singapore, after her husband Tharman Shanmugaratnam won the 2023 presidential election with 70% of the valid votes.
History In December 1959, Noor Aishah, wife of President Yusof Ishak, became the first person to assume the role at the age of 26. Her biography, Puan Noor Aishah: Singapore's First Lady, was published in 2017.
On 14 September 2017, Mohammed Abdullah Alhabshee became the first gentleman, after his wife Halimah Yacob won the 2017 presidential election by an uncontested walkover.
List of spouses of the presidents of Singapore No Portrait Spouse of the President President Start date End dateRef 1 Puan Noor Aishah Yusof Ishak 9 August 1965 23 November 1970 2 Yeo Seh Geok Benjamin Sheares 2 January 1971 12 May 1981 3 Avadai Dhanam Lakshimi Devan Nair 23 October 1981 28 March 1985 4 Koh Sok Hiong Wee Kim Wee 2 September 1985 1 September 1993 5 Ling Siew May Ong Teng Cheong 2 September 1993 30 July 1999 6 Urmila "Umi" Nandey Sellapan Ramanathan 1 September 1999 31 August 2011 7 Mary Chee Bee Kiang Tony Tan Keng Yam 1 September 2011 31 August 2017 8 Mohammed Abdullah Alhabshee Halimah Yacob 14 September 2017 14 September 2023 9 Jane Yumiko Ittogi Tharman Shanmugaratnam 14 September 2023 Incumbent
See also President of Singapore
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