Halimah Yacob’s Family 👨‍👩‍👧‍👦

Halimah Yacob, Singapore’s first female President, comes from a humble and multicultural background.

👪 Parents:

  • Father: Indian Muslim (Passed away when she was 8 years old).

  • Mother: Malay, worked as a food vendor to support the family.

🧑‍🤝‍🧑 Siblings:

  • Halimah was the youngest of five children.

  • She grew up in a small flat and helped her mother with her food stall while studying.

❤️ Husband & Children:

  • Husband: Mohamed Abdullah Alhabshee (Businessman of Arab descent).

  • Children: Five children (They keep a low profile and stay out of the public eye).

Halimah’s family has always been supportive of her political and social work. Even as President, she chose to continue living in her HDB flat in Yishun, showing her strong connection to Singapore’s people.

🎓 Early Life & Education

  • Born: August 23, 1954, in Singapore.

  • Ethnicity: Malay-Indian descent (Father was Indian Muslim, Mother was Malay).

  • Family Background: Raised by her mother after her father’s passing when she was just 8 years old.

  • Education: Attended Singapore Chinese Girls’ School and Tanjong Katong Girls’ School.

  • University: Studied law at the National University of Singapore (NUS), earning an LLB (Bachelor of Laws) and later an LLM (Master of Laws).

Her humble beginnings, growing up in a single-parent household, shaped her strong advocacy for workers’ rights and social causes later in her career.

⚖️ Career Before Politics

  • Started as a legal officer at the National Trades Union Congress (NTUC) in 1978.

  • Rose to become Director of the Legal Services Department and Deputy Secretary-General of NTUC.

  • Advocated for better labor laws, women’s rights, and fair employment practices.

  • Served on various national boards, including the Housing & Development Board (HDB) and the Tripartite Alliance for Fair Employment Practices (TAFEP).

Her work earned her the Public Service Medal in 2001.

🏛️ Political Career

Member of Parliament (MP) (2001–2017)

  • Joined the People’s Action Party (PAP) and was elected as an MP for Jurong GRC in 2001.

  • Served in Marsiling-Yew Tee GRC later in her career.

  • Advocated for education, social welfare, and fair employment policies.

Minister of State for Social & Family Development (2011–2013)

  • Focused on family policies, women’s empowerment, and elderly care.

Speaker of Parliament (2013–2017) – Singapore’s First Female Speaker

  • First woman to hold this position in Singapore’s history.

  • Played a key role in maintaining neutrality and fairness in parliamentary debates.

📌Presidency (2017–2023) – Singapore’s First Female President 🇸🇬

  • In 2017, Singapore held a reserved presidential election for Malay candidates.

  • Halimah Yacob was the only eligible candidate, as she met the strict financial and public service criteria.

  • She was elected unopposed as Singapore’s 8th President on September 14, 2017.

Key Focus Areas During Presidency:

  1. 🏡 Social Unity & Multiracial Harmony

    • Promoted racial and religious harmony in Singapore.

    • Advocated for social cohesion through community engagement programs.

  2. 👩‍⚖️ Women’s Empowerment & Social Welfare

    • Supported education and job opportunities for women.

    • Strengthened policies for elderly care and family welfare.

  3. 🦠 COVID-19 Response & National Stability

    • Helped guide Singapore through the COVID-19 pandemic by approving emergency funds.

    • Focused on economic recovery and social assistance programs.

  4. 🌍 Global Representation & Diplomacy

    • Strengthened Singapore’s international ties and global reputation.

    • Hosted and met with world leaders to promote economic and diplomatic partnerships.

👏 Post-Presidency & Legacy

  • Completed her six-year term in 2023 and was succeeded by Tharman Shanmugaratnam.

  • Continues to be a respected figure in social work, education, and women's leadership.

  • Her humble background, strong advocacy for workers, and leadership as a woman and minority leader make her a role model in Singapore and beyond.

✨ Fun Facts About Halimah Yacob

✔️ First Singaporean President to live in an HDB flat instead of the Istana (presidential palace).
✔️ First Malay President in 47 years, after Yusof Ishak (1965–1970).
✔️ First female President and Speaker of Parliament in Singapore.

 

 

📜 Create Your Own Family Legacy!

Just like the Halimah Yacob family’s legacy, you can document your own family history with the Family Root App!

✅ Preserve Your Family Tree
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✅ Connect with Relatives

 


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