Mahathir Mohamad

Mahathir Mohamad - Prime Minister of Malaysia, Family and Family

Violet FieldHome › MalaysianMahathir MohamadJuly 10, 1925689 views

0 based on 0 rates
Mahathir Mohamad Biography Stories 

Mahathir Mohamad's Personal Details

Mahathir Mohamad is the longest ruling Prime Minister of Malaysia and a politician known for his progressive policies

InformationDetail
BirthdayJuly 10, 1925
NationalityMalaysian
FamousLeaders, Political Leaders, Prime Ministers, Prime Minister of Malaysia
HobbiesRiding, Sailing
SpousesSiti Hasmah Mohamad Ali
SiblingsHabsah Mohamad, Johora Mohamad, Mahadi Mohamad, Mashahor Mohamad, Murad Mohamad, Mustaffa Mohamad, Omar Mohamad, Rafeah Mohamad
Known asMahathir bin Mohamad
ChildrensMaizura Mahathir, Marina Mahathir, Mazhar Mahathir, Melinda Mahathir, Mirzan Mahathir, Mokhzani Mahathir, Mukhriz Mahathir
Universities
  • University of Malaya Singapore
  • Kolej Sultan Abdul Hamid
  • University of Malaya
  • National University of Singapore
Founder / Co-Founder
  • Proton
Birth PlaceAlor Setar
Political IdeologyPolitical party - United Malays National Organisation
ReligionSunni Islam, Islam
GenderMale
FatherMohamad Iskandar
MotherWan Tempawan Wan Hanapi
Net Worth$550 million as of Apr 14,2017
Sun SignCancer
Born inAlor Setar
Famous asPrime Minister of Malaysia

Mahathir Mohamad's photo

Who is Mahathir Mohamad?

Mahathir Mohamad is a Malaysian politician who is the seventh Prime Minister of Malaysia. The veteran politician had also previously been the prime minister from 1981 to 2003. With a career spanning over seven decades, he is one of the most respected political figures in Malaysia. During his previous tenure as the prime minister, he formulated policies that helped businesses flourish and made education easily available to the people of the country. While his polices have earned him a lot of criticism, Mahathir never wavered from his convictions. This healthy stubbornness makes him an effective politician. The first example of this resolve could be seen when he was exiled from politics for criticizing the current regime. Instead of cowering, he wrote ‘The Malay Dilemma’, which continued the critique. This book played a huge role in Prime Minister Rahman's resignation. His extensive career has cemented him as perhaps the most influential figure in Malaysia's political history. In his nineties now, he is the world's oldest head of state or government and the oldest living Prime Minister of Malaysia.

// Famous Prime Ministers

Edi Rama

Edi Rama

Edi Rama is the current Prime Minister of Albania. Check out this biography to know about his childhood, life, achievements, works & timeline.

Leo Varadkar

Leo Varadkar

Cam Leo Varadkar is the current Taoiseach—the Prime Minister—of the Republic of Ireland. Check out this biography to know about his childhood, family life, achievements and other facts about his life.

Otto von Bismarck

Otto von Bismarck

Otto von Bismarck served as the Chancellor of Germany and the Prime Minister of Prussia. He unified the German states into a powerful German empire. This biography profiles his childhood, political career, life, achievements and timeline.

Childhood & Early Life

Mahathir Mohamad was born on July 10, 1925 in Malaysia. He was raised in a poor neighborhood in Alor Setar region of the state of Kedah.

His father's name was Mohamad bin Iskandar. He was a principal with low socioeconomic standing. His mother was only a distant relative to Kedah royalty.

Mahathir excelled throughout school. He won a scholarship to an English secondary school.

He completed secondary school once the war ended. He enrolled in medical school at the ‘King Edward VII College of Medicine’ in Singapore.

Career

After graduating medical school Mahathir got his first job in the medical industry. He worked as a government service doctor until 1956. In the same year, he returned to his home region of Alor Setar and opened up a private practice. He was the only Malay doctor in the area at that time.

Mahathir's second love was politics. He was active in protests as a student, where he advocated for Malaysian independence.

He was a strict supporter of the ‘United Malays National Organisation’ during his time in Alor Setar. He quickly became a prominent member through charismatic advocacy of his positions.

In 1959, he came close to running for office but ended up withholding himself from the election in protest due to conflict with the Prime Minister, Tunku Abdul Rahman.

In 1964, he ran for his first political office and won. He was elected to the seat representing Kota Setar Seletan in the federal parliament.

Mahathir began his career in politics during a volatile time. Racial tensions between the Chinese and Malay reached a fever pitch in 1969. In that same year Mahathir lost his re-election campaign.

The race riots of May 1969 saw hundreds of Chinese and Malay killed. Mahathir wrote an open letter criticizing Rahman for favoring Chinese interests. This let her got him fired from the supreme council and kicked out of the UMNO party.

In 1970 he published his first book, ‘The Malay Dilemma’. It was a further critique on the lack of support from Rahman's administration for the Malay people. This criticism got the book banned.

Mahathir returned to politics in 1973 after a three year hiatus. He was appointed as a senator in new Prime Minister Abdul Razak Hussein's regime.

In 1974, he was appointed as the Minster of Education. He also won the seat for Kubang Pasu in the House of Representatives.

He ran for a vice-presidency position in the UMNO party and won. This set him up to be named deputy prime minister shortly after.

In 1981, he became prime minister. The first two years of his tenure saw battles for more authority with the royal family.

From 1981 to 2003, Mahathir made a great impact on Malaysian politics with his progressive policies. His tenure spanning over two decades is the longest any elected leader has served in his country, which attests to his list of accomplishments.

He announced his retirement from politics in 2003. In retirement Mahathir wrote several books, with the most recent being his memoirs in 2011.

After several years, he returned to the political arena in the wake of the 1Malaysia Development Berhad scandal in 2015. He openly criticized Prime Minister Najib Razak's government and repeatedly called for his resignation. He associated himself with the party Pakatan Harapan and formed a new political party which he merged with Pakatan Harapan to form a coalition.

By 2017, he was actively participating in the politics of the country and was proposed as a possible prime ministerial candidate of Pakatan Harapan.

In January 2018, his official candidacy as a prime ministerial candidate was announced. In the 14th Malaysian general election held on 9 May 2018, Pakatan Harapan emerged as the winner and as its leader, Mahathir Mohamad is all set to become the new prime minister of Malaysia.

Major Works

Mahathir's most significant work was his 1970 book ‘The Malay Dilemma’. Many scholars agree that this book played a large part in Rahman's downfall the same year.

His biggest achievement during his time as prime minister was his recovery strategy during the Asian financial crisis of 1998. He went against his advisers and tied the currency to the U.S dollar. This bold move let Malaysia recover quicker than other countries.

Awards & Achievements

He was granted the title of ‘The Father of Modernization’ by the Malaysian people for his work in economic development.

Personal Life & Legacy

Mahathir married his college sweetheart Siti Hasmah, in 1956. The couple had their first child, Marina, the following year.

They have six more children, three of which are biological and three that were adopted. Their names are Mirzan, Melinda, Mokhzani, Mukhriz, Maizura, and Mazhar.

Net Worth

Mahathir has an estimated net worth of $550 million. His son Mokhzani has also amassed a fortune of nearly 1 billion dollars in the oil and gas industry.

Trivia

This famous politician is also the author of 16 books

// Famous Leaders

Edi Rama

Edi Rama

Edi Rama is the current Prime Minister of Albania. Check out this biography to know about his childhood, life, achievements, works & timeline.

Tecumseh

Tecumseh

Tecumseh was a Native American leader of the Shawnee clan. This biography profiles his childhood, life and timeline.

Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan

Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan

Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan is the current President of the United Arab Emirates (UAE). Check out this biography to know about his birthday, childhood, family life, achievements and fun facts about him.

Mahathir Mohamad's awards

YearNameAward

Other

0Jawaharlal Nehru Award for International Understanding

Mahathir Mohamad biography timelines

  • // 10th Jul 1925
    Mahathir Mohamad was born on July 10, 1925 in Malaysia. He was raised in a poor neighborhood in Alor Setar region of the state of Kedah.
  • // 1956
    After graduating medical school Mahathir got his first job in the medical industry. He worked as a government service doctor until 1956. In the same year, he returned to his home region of Alor Setar and opened up a private practice. He was the only Malay doctor in the area at that time.
  • // 1956
    Mahathir married his college sweetheart Siti Hasmah, in 1956. The couple had their first child, Marina, the following year.
  • // 1959
    In 1959, he came close to running for office but ended up withholding himself from the election in protest due to conflict with the Prime Minister, Tunku Abdul Rahman.
  • // 1964
    In 1964, he ran for his first political office and won. He was elected to the seat representing Kota Setar Seletan in the federal parliament.
  • // 1969
    Mahathir began his career in politics during a volatile time. Racial tensions between the Chinese and Malay reached a fever pitch in 1969. In that same year Mahathir lost his re-election campaign.
  • // May 1969
    The race riots of May 1969 saw hundreds of Chinese and Malay killed. Mahathir wrote an open letter criticizing Rahman for favoring Chinese interests. This let her got him fired from the supreme council and kicked out of the UMNO party.
  • // 1970
    In 1970 he published his first book, ‘The Malay Dilemma’. It was a further critique on the lack of support from Rahman's administration for the Malay people. This criticism got the book banned.
  • // 1970
    Mahathir's most significant work was his 1970 book ‘The Malay Dilemma’. Many scholars agree that this book played a large part in Rahman's downfall the same year.
  • // 1973
    Mahathir returned to politics in 1973 after a three year hiatus. He was appointed as a senator in new Prime Minister Abdul Razak Hussein's regime.
  • // 1974
    In 1974, he was appointed as the Minster of Education. He also won the seat for Kubang Pasu in the House of Representatives.
  • // 1981
    In 1981, he became prime minister. The first two years of his tenure saw battles for more authority with the royal family.
  • // 1981 To 2003
    From 1981 to 2003, Mahathir made a great impact on Malaysian politics with his progressive policies. His tenure spanning over two decades is the longest any elected leader has served in his country, which attests to his list of accomplishments.
  • // 1998
    His biggest achievement during his time as prime minister was his recovery strategy during the Asian financial crisis of 1998. He went against his advisers and tied the currency to the U.S dollar. This bold move let Malaysia recover quicker than other countries.
  • // 2011
    He announced his retirement from politics in 2003. In retirement Mahathir wrote several books, with the most recent being his memoirs in 2011.
  • // 2015
    After several years, he returned to the political arena in the wake of the 1Malaysia Development Berhad scandal in 2015. He openly criticized Prime Minister Najib Razak's government and repeatedly called for his resignation. He associated himself with the party Pakatan Harapan and formed a new political party which he merged with Pakatan Harapan to form a coalition.
  • // 2017
    By 2017, he was actively participating in the politics of the country and was proposed as a possible prime ministerial candidate of Pakatan Harapan.

// Famous Political Leaders

Edi Rama

Edi Rama

Edi Rama is the current Prime Minister of Albania. Check out this biography to know about his childhood, life, achievements, works & timeline.

Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan

Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan

Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan is the current President of the United Arab Emirates (UAE). Check out this biography to know about his birthday, childhood, family life, achievements and fun facts about him.

Leo Varadkar

Leo Varadkar

Cam Leo Varadkar is the current Taoiseach—the Prime Minister—of the Republic of Ireland. Check out this biography to know about his childhood, family life, achievements and other facts about his life.

Strom Thurmond

Strom Thurmond

Strom Thurmond was an American politician, who represented the state of South Carolina in the United States senate for 48 years.

Solon

Solon

Solon was an Athenian lawmaker, poet and politician. He is considered as one of the ‘Seven Wise Men’ in Greek culture. This biography provides detailed information about his childhood, life, career, works, achievements and timeline.

Mohammed bin Salman

Mohammed bin Salman

Mohammed bin Salman is the Crown Prince of Saudi Arabia and the heir apparent to the throne. Check out this biography to know about his childhood, family life, achievements and other facts about him.

Mahathir Mohamad's FAQ

  • What is Mahathir Mohamad birthday?

    Mahathir Mohamad was born at 1925-07-10

  • Where is Mahathir Mohamad's birth place?

    Mahathir Mohamad was born in Alor Setar

  • What is Mahathir Mohamad nationalities?

    Mahathir Mohamad's nationalities is Malaysian

  • What is Mahathir Mohamad hobbies?

    Mahathir Mohamad's hobbies is Riding, Sailing

  • Who is Mahathir Mohamad spouses?

    Mahathir Mohamad's spouses is Siti Hasmah Mohamad Ali

  • Who is Mahathir Mohamad siblings?

    Mahathir Mohamad's siblings is Habsah Mohamad, Johora Mohamad, Mahadi Mohamad, Mashahor Mohamad, Murad Mohamad, Mustaffa Mohamad, Omar Mohamad, Rafeah Mohamad

  • Who is Mahathir Mohamad childrens?

    Mahathir Mohamad's childrens is Maizura Mahathir, Marina Mahathir, Mazhar Mahathir, Melinda Mahathir, Mirzan Mahathir, Mokhzani Mahathir, Mukhriz Mahathir

  • What was Mahathir Mohamad universities?

    Mahathir Mohamad studied at University of Malaya Singapore, Kolej Sultan Abdul Hamid, University of Malaya, National University of Singapore

  • Which company or organization was founded by Mahathir Mohamad?

    Mahathir Mohamad was the founder/co-founder of Proton

  • What is Mahathir Mohamad's political ideology?

    Mahathir Mohamad's political ideology is Political party - United Malays National Organisation

  • What is Mahathir Mohamad's religion?

    Mahathir Mohamad's religion is Sunni Islam, Islam

  • Who is Mahathir Mohamad's father?

    Mahathir Mohamad's father is Mohamad Iskandar

  • Who is Mahathir Mohamad's mother?

    Mahathir Mohamad's mother is Wan Tempawan Wan Hanapi

  • What is Mahathir Mohamad's sun sign?

    Mahathir Mohamad is Cancer

  • How famous is Mahathir Mohamad?

    Mahathir Mohamad is famouse as Prime Minister of Malaysia