Halimah Yacob is a name that has made history in Singapore. She is the first female president of the country, and the first Malay president in more than 40 years. She is also a former lawyer and a veteran politician who has served as the speaker of parliament and the head of the National Trades Union Congress. But who is Halimah Yacob, and what is her story? How much does she earn as the president, and what is her net worth? What are her achievements and challenges in her career and personal life? In this article, we will answer these questions and more, as we explore the life and work of Halimah Yacob, the eighth president of Singapore.
Halimah Yacob’s Salary
As the president of Singapore, Halimah Yacob earns a salary of $1,540,000 per year, which is equivalent to $128,333 per month, or $5,923 per day. This makes her one of the highest-paid heads of state in the world. However, her salary is still lower than that of the prime minister of Singapore, who earns $2,860,000 per year.
Halimah Yacob Net worth
According to some sources, Halimah Yacob’s net worth is estimated to be between $1 million and $5 million23. This is based on her income from her previous roles as a lawyer, a member of parliament, a speaker of parliament, and a union leader. However, there is no official confirmation of her net worth from reliable sources.
Halimah Yacob’s Career
Halimah Yacob’s career has been marked by many milestones and achievements. She started her career as a legal officer at the National Trades Union Congress (NTUC) in 1981, after graduating from the National University of Singapore with a Bachelor of Laws degree. She later obtained a Master of Laws degree from the same university in 1988. She rose through the ranks at NTUC, becoming the director of the legal services department in 1992, the deputy secretary-general in 1999, and the secretary-general in 2007. She was also elected as a member of parliament for the Jurong Group Representation Constituency (GRC) in 2001, representing the ruling People’s Action Party (PAP). She held various ministerial positions in the government, such as Minister of State for Community Development, Youth and Sports (2004-2011), Minister of State for Social and Family Development (2011-2013), and Minister in charge of Muslim Affairs (2011-2013).
In 2013, Halimah Yacob made history by becoming the first woman to be elected as the speaker of parliament. She was widely respected for her impartiality and professionalism in presiding over parliamentary debates and proceedings. She also championed various causes such as women’s rights, workers’ welfare, social justice, and interfaith harmony. In 2017, she resigned from her parliamentary and party positions to run for the presidency. She was declared the winner by default after being the only eligible candidate under the new reserved election system that reserved the presidency for candidates from the Malay community. She was sworn in as the eighth president of Singapore on September 14, 2017.
As the president, Halimah Yacob has several roles and responsibilities. She is the head of state and the symbol of national unity. She exercises custodial powers over the country’s reserves and key public sector appointments. She also acts as a unifying figure who promotes social cohesion and harmony among different racial and religious groups. She also represents Singapore on the international stage and fosters good relations with other countries.
Halimah Yacob’s Personal Life
Halimah Yacob was born on August 23, 1954 in Singapore. She is the daughter of an Indian Muslim father and a Malay mother. Her father died when she was eight years old, leaving her mother to raise five children on her own. She grew up in a poor family and lived in a one-room flat with her siblings. She attended Singapore Chinese Girls’ School and Tanjong Katong Girls’ School before enrolling at the University of Singapore (now National University of Singapore).
Halimah Yacob is married to Mohamed Abdullah Alhabshee, a retired businessman who runs a mini-mart. They have five children: four sons and one daughter. They also have nine grandchildren. Halimah Yacob is known for her modest lifestyle and down-to-earth personality. She does not live in the official presidential residence at the Istana, but instead chooses to stay in her public housing flat in Yishun. She also does not use a chauffeur-driven car, but prefers to take public transport or drive her own car. She is a devout Muslim who observes the five daily prayers and the fasting month of Ramadan. She is also fluent in English, Malay, and Tamil.
Halimah Yacob is a role model and an inspiration for many Singaporeans, especially women and minorities. She has overcome many challenges and obstacles in her life and achieved success through hard work, perseverance, and dedication. She has also contributed significantly to the development and progress of Singapore through her public service and leadership. She is a respected and admired leader who embodies the values and aspirations of Singapore.
Conclusion
Halimah Yacob is a remarkable woman who has made history in Singapore. She is the first female president of the country, and the first Malay president in more than 40 years. She is also a former lawyer and a veteran politician who has served as the speaker of parliament and the head of the National Trades Union Congress. She earns a salary of $1,540,000 per year as the president, and has an estimated net worth of between $1 million and $5 million. She has a successful career and a happy personal life. She is a symbol of national unity and a unifying figure who promotes social cohesion and harmony among different racial and religious groups. She is also a role model and an inspiration for many Singaporeans, especially women and minorities. She is a respected and admired leader who embodies the values and aspirations of Singapore.
Most Asked Questions and Answers
Q: When did Halimah Yacob become the president of Singapore?
A: Halimah Yacob became the president of Singapore on September 14, 2017.
Q: How old is Halimah Yacob?
A: Halimah Yacob is 68 years old as of 2023. She was born on August 23, 1954.
Q: What is Halimah Yacob’s ethnicity?
A: Halimah Yacob is of mixed ethnicity. She has an Indian Muslim father and a Malay mother.
Q: What is Halimah Yacob’s religion?
A: Halimah Yacob is a Muslim. She observes the five daily prayers and the fasting month of Ramadan.
Q: Where does Halimah Yacob live?
A: Halimah Yacob lives in a public housing flat in Yishun, Singapore. She does not live in the official presidential residence at the Istana.
Q: Who is Halimah Yacob’s husband? A: Halimah Yacob’s husband is Mohamed Abdullah Alhabshee, a retired businessman who runs a mini-mart.
Q: How many children does Halimah Yacob have? A: Halimah Yacob has five children: four sons and one daughter.
Q: How many grandchildren does Halimah Yacob have? A: Halimah Yacob has nine grandchildren.
Q: What languages does Halimah Yacob speak? A: Halimah Yacob speaks English, Malay, and Tamil.
Q: What are some of Halimah Yacob’s achievements and awards? A: Some of Halimah Yacob’s achievements and awards are:
- The first female president of Singapore
- The first Malay president of Singapore in more than 40 years
- The first woman to be elected as the speaker of parliament
- The secretary-general of the National Trades Union Congress
- The Her World Woman of the Year Award (2003)
- The AWARE Heroine Award (2011)
- The Berita Harian Achiever of the Year Award (2011)
- The Honorary Doctorate of Laws from the National University of Singapore (2018)