Sworn in on 14 September 2017, Halimah Yacob became the eighth president of Singapore, marking the first time a woman held the office. Her path to the presidency followed a career in law, labour advocacy, and legislative service, eventually culminating in a term that saw her navigate the fiscal and social complexities of the COVID-19 pandemic.
Background and Legal Career
Born in 1954 in Singapore, Halimah Yacob attended Singapore Chinese Girls' School and Tanjong Katong Girls' School. She graduated from the University of Singapore with a Bachelor of Laws in 1978 and was called to the Singapore Bar in 1981. She later returned to the National University of Singapore to earn a Master of Laws in 2001 and received an honorary Doctor of Law degree in 2016.
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Halimah entered the workforce as a legal officer at the National Trades Union Congress (NTUC) in 1978. She rose through various administrative levels, eventually serving as Deputy Secretary-General from 2007 to 2011. Her political career began with the People's Action Party in the 2001 general election, representing the Jurong Group Representation Constituency. She later served as the first female speaker of the parliament of Singapore from 2013 to 2017.
Presidency and Governance
Following a constitutional amendment, the 2017 presidential election was reserved for candidates from the Malay community. Halimah resigned from her parliamentary seat and her party to run as an independent candidate. Elected unopposed, she served a full term until 13 September 2023. During her tenure, she utilised discretionary powers to authorize emergency funding during the pandemic and advocated for the advancement of women's rights.
Fast facts
- Born: 1954, Singapore
- President of Singapore: 2017-2023
- Speaker of the Parliament: 2013-2017
- Education: National University of Singapore
- Religion: Islam
- Inducted into Singapore Women's Hall of Fame: 2014
Questions readers ask
Was Halimah Yacob the first woman to lead Singapore?
Yes, she was the first woman to serve as the president of Singapore.
What was her primary political affiliation?
She was a member of the People's Action Party before resigning to run as an independent candidate for the presidency in 2017.
Achievements
- Singapore Women's Hall of Fame — 2014
- Affiliated with National University of Singapore
- Educated at Tanjong Katong Girls' School, National University of Singapore and Singapore Chinese Girls' School
- Worked as politician
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