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Top 10 Facts about Halimah Yacob

Republic of Singapore President Halimah Yacob witnesses the program proper during her visit to the Philippine Eagle Center in Davao City on September 11, 2019, by Robinson Ninal/

Halimah Yacob comes from humble beginnings being raised by an Indian father and Malay mother. Her father was a watchman who died due to a heart attack when she was eight years old.

Her mother struggled to raise her five children, and Halimah neglected her school studies because of the need to help out at home.

Halimah was born at her family home in Queen鈥檚 Street in Singapore. She went to the University of Singapore where she obtained a bachelor of law.

At NTUC she started the back-to-work program which helped thousands of women learn new skills and re-enter the workforce.

Her crowning achievement was making ILO convention on decent work for domestic workers, which enshrines a day off, adequate rest, and other benefits for maids.

1. Halimah Yacob has had an impressive Political Career

Halima Yacob is the eighth President of Singapore and the Republic鈥檚 first female head of state. She was the first Malay woman to be elected to parliament.

She is the first woman to be the speaker of parliament. Halimah entered politics in 200, she was elected as a member of parliament for the Jurong Group Representation Constituency (GRC).

She was appointed Minister of State at the Ministry of Community development, youth, and sports.

She became a minister of state at the ministry of social and family development. Halimah was co-opted into the PAP鈥檚 central executive committee the party鈥檚 highest decision-making today.

She is known to be demure, soft-spoken but firm. Once she puts her mind to something, she goes for it.

2. The astonishing first Female president’s husband Mohammed Abdullah Alhabshee 

KOREA The 20th President Inauguration Ceremony by unknown Arthur/wikimedia commons

Mohammed Abdullah Alhabshee is the current serving gentleman of Singapore since 2017 as the husband of incumbent President Halimah Yacob they have five children together.

He married Halimah Yacob in 1980, he is currently a retired businessman. Mohammed graduated from the National University of Singapore majoring in physics.

3. The astonishing woman president is a  trailblazer caring for the elderly and mentally ill

Singapore by Coleen Rivas/

 Halima is vocal on social issues ranging from training for older and less-skilled workers to caring for the elderly and mentally ill.

Yacob is a trailblazer, she has served on various boards including the housing and development board, tripartite Alliance on fair employment practices, and many others.

As a working mother and with her experience in the labor union, Halimah has championed the interest of women and workers.

She is the longest-serving female Muslim politician in the ruling people鈥檚 actions. Halimah was Berita Harian/ Mcdanold鈥檚 achiever of the year in 2001

The National Council of social services named her its first adviser to tap into her extensive and deep understanding of ground concerns together with her practical ways.

4. She is known for her remarkable Breaking the Glass Ceiling in her career

Republic of Singapore President Halimah Yacob witnesses the program proper during her visit to the Philippine Eagle Center in Davao City on September 11, 2019. by ROBINSON NI脩AL /

Growing up in a struggling household Halima Yacob seized the idea of becoming a lawyer to bring access to justice to the vulnerable and deprived.

She witnessed how little power and voice people with ought resources had, and this pushed her to study law at NUS and later joined the National Trade Union.

She broke more glass ceiling when she was elected as the first woman speaker of Parliament and elected at a reserved election as the first President.

Madam Halimah was focused on the core values of multiculturalism, meritocracy, and stewardship which she identified as fundamental to Singapore鈥檚 continued success.

 5. The first Singapore female president outstanding support on mental illness

Melbourne, Australia – 20 January 2020 – Naomi Osaka on Rod Laver Arena by Rob Keating/ Wikimedia commons

In supporting Naomi Osaka, Halima Yacob said she had great respect for the tennis player who pulled out of the French Open because of mental illness.

Having served at the club heal as a patron the former president is passionate about mental illness. She wanted to fight the disparagement of the stigma of people suffering from mental illness.

In a Facebook post madam Halimah advocates for greater awareness of mental issues especially among young people. She has established two out of three club heal rehabilitation centers.

6. This Singaporean female President is Claustrophobia

In an interview, Halima admitted she was afraid of small spaces. She was on a sleeper train traveling from Geneva to 麻豆APP, she has to stay awake all night because the space was small.

7. Halima Yacob was devasted by the passing of her mother

Halima鈥檚 mother passed away on the morning of the polling day. Madam Halima keeps a bottle of medicated oil in her Yishan flat at all times.

To her, the oil holds a special meaning it serves as a constant reminder of how her late mother overcame adversity and single-handedly raised five children by selling food on a pushcart outside Singapore Polytechnic.

In a message, she said her mother was a great influence she never believed in giving up and was always concerned with the welfare of others.

8. Halima lived an interesting double life hawking and being a student

She led a double life going from hawking to Singapore Chinese Girls School (SCGS), While children were pulling up with fancy cars.

Every morning she woke up at 5 am helped her mother buy ingredients at the market darted to school and then returned to help her mother sell Nasi Padang.

She became 鈥�Poteng Queen鈥�cutting classes with impunity, the SCGS principal warned her that if she kept it up, she would be expelled.

9. Yacob’s interesting early morning routine and exercises 45mins every day

鈥�If you do not get up before the sun rises then you are lazy鈥� These are the words Halimah lived by her mother鈥檚 words. This is the reason Yacob wakes up every day at 5 am.

Halima is known to live a healthy lifestyle she tries to exercise for 45 minutes; the Istana grounds are big and this gives her a chance to do her exercise.

10. Halimah and Alhabshee’s amazing early life struggles together

Halimah and her husband are university sweethearts, they got married two years after graduating.

The first Gentleman remains out of the spotlight, Halimah refers to her husband as the strongest pillar of support through thick and thin.

The couple waited five years before they purchase their first flat, and eight months to buy their first sofa.