Mahathir’s wife Siti Hasmah dies at 100

Tun Dr Siti Hasmah Mohamad Ali, the wife of Malaysia’s longest-serving former Prime Minister Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad, has died at the age of 100.

Siti Hasmah died this morning at the National Heart Institute (IJN) in Kuala Lumpur at around 9:20–9:25 a.m., according to Malaysian reports. Her death was confirmed by her son, Tan Sri Mokhzani Mahathir.

Her remains were taken from IJN at 10:48 a.m. to the family residence at The Mines in Seri Kembangan, Selangor. Her children, including Marina Mahathir, Mokhzani Mahathir and Mukhriz Mahathir, were present as the remains left the hospital.

Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim announced that Siti Hasmah will be accorded a state funeral, with the Chief Secretary to the Government and the Chief of Defence Forces directed to assist with the arrangements. Anwar also expressed condolences to Mahathir and the family, saying the country would remember her contributions and service.

Siti Hasmah was born in Klang, Selangor, on July 12, 1926. She became one of Malaysia’s pioneering Malay women in medicine, studying at the King Edward VII College of Medicine in Singapore and graduating as a doctor in 1955. She subsequently served in Malaysia’s public health system, including as a medical officer in Kedah.

Her medical career included significant work in maternal and child health. In 1965, she became the first woman appointed as a medical officer in the Maternal and Child Health Department, and in 1974 she became the first woman to serve as Kedah’s State Maternal and Child Health Officer.

Beyond clinical medicine, Siti Hasmah was involved in public health and social welfare initiatives, advocating for maternal and child health, immunisation, rural women’s development, adult literacy, mental health and efforts against drug abuse. Her work also extended internationally, including participation in international conferences on drug abuse and mental health and leading Malaysia’s delegation to the 1995 United Nations World Conference on Women in Beijing.

She later became known nationally as the wife of Mahathir during his two periods as Prime Minister, from 1981 to 2003 and from 2018 to 2020. The couple married on August 5, 1956, and had seven children, including writer and social activist Marina Mahathir and former Kedah Menteri Besar Mukhriz Mahathir.

Siti Hasmah and Mahathir celebrated their 70th wedding anniversary in August this year. She was also recognised by ASEAN Records in August as the oldest living spouse of a former prime minister.

In an earlier interview, Mahathir credited Siti Hasmah as an important part of his success. He recalled her determination to obtain a university education at a time when higher education among Malaysian women was far less common.

Siti Hasmah was also active in social and educational initiatives during and after her years as the Prime Minister’s wife. She served as Chancellor of Multimedia University for 15 years, from 1997 to 2012. In 2003, she became the first wife of a Malaysian prime minister to receive the title Tun after being awarded the Seri Setia Mahkota Malaysia.

Anwar announced news of her death during an event earlier today and invited those present to recite Al-Fatihah for her. Malaysia’s King Sultan Ibrahim Sultan Iskandar and Queen Raja Zarith Sofiah also conveyed their condolences to the family.

Her funeral is scheduled to take place today. Her remains are to be taken to Masjid As-Syarif in Taman Sungai Besi Indah before being buried at Pusara Negara in Precinct 20, Putrajaya, following the Asr prayer under the state funeral arrangements.

Siti Hasmah leaves behind her husband of 70 years, Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad, their seven children and a legacy spanning medicine, public health, women’s welfare and national service.