First ladies and gentlemen of Indonesia

Throughout Indonesian history, the title of First Lady (Indonesian: Ibu Negara, lit.'Mother of the State') or, in an instance, First Gentleman (Indonesian: Bapak Negara, lit.'Father of the State') has been used to refer to the wife or husband of the president of Indonesia. The constitution does not provide for the position in any sense, but it continues to hold significant influence in Indonesian society.

First Lady/Gentleman of Indonesia
Ibu/Bapak Negara Indonesia
since 20 October 2024
Style
Residence
SeatJakarta
Term length5 years
Inaugural holder
Formation18 August 1945
Websitepresidenri.go.id

Taufiq Kiemas, husband of President Megawati Sukarnoputri, to date remains the only first gentleman.[1]

History

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It is unclear when the role of Ibu Negara first developed in Indonesian political convention. Sukarno, the first president, was married to his third wife Fatmawati when he became president in August 1945. Sukarno then married Hartini in July 1953 on Fatmawati's permission. Hartini lived in Istana Bogor and also accompanied the president to official state duties and visit abroad.[2] Throughout his presidency, Sukarno married another five women, but Fatmawati remained the first lady for the remainder of Sukarno's presidency.

Siti Hartinah, Suharto's wife, occupied the role of Ibu Negara until her death in April 1996. Their eldest daughter, Siti Hardiyanti Rukmana (Tutut), adopted her mother's responsibilities throughout the remainder of her father's presidency until 1998. From March to May 1998, she also served as the minister of social affairs.

Prabowo Subianto, who was elected president in 2024, is the first Indonesian president to begin their tenure without a first spouse. He married Tutut's younger sister, Siti Hediati Hariyadi (Titiek), in 1983, but they separated shortly after Suharto's fall from power in 1998. However, Titiek was active in Prabowo's 2014, 2019, and 2024 presidential campaigns.[3]

List

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President
No.
Portrait Name Tenure Age at tenure start President
(Spouse, unless noted)
1   Fatmawati Soekarno
5 February 1923 – 14 May 1980
(aged 57)
18 August 1945

7 July 1953
22 years, 194 days Soekarno
m. 1 June 1943
Siti Suhartini Soekarno
20 September 1924 - 12 March 2002
(aged 77 tahun)
7 July 1953
-
12 March 1967
28 years, 290 days Soekarno
m. 7 July 1953
2   Raden Ayu Fatimah Siti Hartinah Soeharto / Tien
23 August 1923 – 28 April 1996
(aged 72)
12 March 1967

28 April 1996 †
43 years, 201 days Suharto
m. 26 December 1947
Siti Hardijanti Hastuti Indra Rukmana / Tutut
Born (1949-01-23) 23 January 1949 (age 75)
28 April 1996
-
21 Mei 1998
47 years, 119 days Suharto
3   Hasri Ainun Habibie
11 August 1937 – 22 May 2010
(aged 72)
21 May 1998

20 October 1999
60 years, 283 days Bacharuddin Jusuf Habibie
m. 12 May 1962
4   Sinta Nuriyah Wahid
Born (1948-03-08) 8 March 1948 (age 76)
20 October 1999

23 July 2001
51 years, 226 days Abdurrahman Wahid
m. 11 July 1968
5   Taufiq Kiemas
31 December 1942 – 8 June 2013
(aged 70)
23 July 2001

20 October 2004
58 years, 204 days Megawati Sukarnoputri
m. 25 March 1973
6   Kristiani Herrawati Yudhoyono / Ani
6 July 1952 – 1 June 2019
(aged 66)
20 October 2004

20 October 2014
52 years, 106 days Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono
m. 30 July 1976
7   Iriana Joko Widodo
Born (1963-10-01) 1 October 1963 (age 61)
20 October 2014

20 October 2024
51 years, 19 days Joko Widodo
m. 24 December 1986
8 Siti Hediati Harijadi Prabowo Subianto Djojohadikusumo / Titiek
Born (1959-02-14) 14 February 1959 (age 65)
20 October 2024

present
65 years, 249 days Prabowo Subianto
m. 9 Mei 1983
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References

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  1. ^ Sepeninggal Taufiq Kiemas ("After Taufiq Kiemas"), tokohindonesia.com, 19 June 2013. Accessed 1 June 2019.
  2. ^ Sitompul, Martin. Hartini, First Lady yang Tak Diakui ("Hartini, the Unrecognized First Lady"). Historia.id, 20 April 2018. Accessed 1 June 2019.
  3. ^ "Indonesia Elections 2024: No first lady? Frontrunner Prabowo's single status turns spotlight on 'state's mother' role". Channel News Asia. 9 February 2024. Retrieved 20 August 2024.

See also

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