Lee Kuan Yew
Born 1923 · Age 102
Founding Prime Minister of Singapore (1959–1990). Transformed Singapore from a British colony into a prosperous, multiracial, highly-governed city-state. Long-serving PAP leader; later Senior Minister and Minister Mentor.
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Life & Career Timeline
Birth in Singapore
Born Harry Lee Kuan Yew at 92 Kampong Java Road, Singapore, eldest child in an English-educated Peranakan Chinese family.
Primary school enrollment — Telok Kurau English School
Enrolled at Telok Kurau English School; began six years of primary education.
Entered Raffles Institution
Accepted to the elite Raffles Institution; initially struggled but later topped Junior Cambridge exams; joined Scouts and sports teams.
Top scorer — Senior Cambridge exams; scholarships awarded
Top scorer in Senior Cambridge across Straits Settlements and Malaya; awarded John Anderson scholarship and Tan Jiak Kim scholarship to attend Raffles College.
Education disrupted by WWII
Raffles College converted to medical facility; Japanese invasion and British surrender in Feb 1942 interrupted tertiary education and precipitated occupation.
Japanese language certificate
Obtained a Japanese-language proficiency certificate and began working locally under Japanese occupation.
Employment with Japanese occupation propaganda department
Worked as an English specialist for the Japanese Hōdōbu (propaganda) and performed tasks including monitoring Allied broadcasts.
Private enterprises and invention of 'Stikfas' glue
Engaged in private trade and developed a tapioca-based glue branded 'Stikfas' during the war, sold commercially on a small scale.
Enrolled briefly at London School of Economics
Began studies at LSE but disliked life in London; later moved to Cambridge.
Sailed to the United Kingdom for higher study
Left Singapore for the UK on his 23rd birthday (MV Britannic), arriving in the UK on October 3, 1946, to pursue higher education.
Admitted to Fitzwilliam College, Cambridge
Matriculated at Fitzwilliam House (Cambridge) in the Lent term to read law.
Secret marriage to Kwa Geok Choo
Married Kwa Geok Choo in secret at Stratford-upon-Avon while still students; kept private due to prevailing norms.
Graduated Cambridge with First Class Honours (Starred First)
Achieved a First Class law degree with a star for Part II; awarded Fitzwilliam's Whitlock Prize as top student.
Called to the Bar (Middle Temple)
Called to the English Bar at Middle Temple in 1950 before returning to Singapore.
Return to Singapore; joined Laycock & Ong
Returned to Singapore in August 1950 (MS Willem Ruys) and joined the Laycock & Ong law practice.
Called to the Singapore Bar
Formally admitted to practice as Advocate & Solicitor in Singapore.
Postal union strike mediation
Served as negotiator for the Postal Union strike (May 1952), marking early involvement in labour movement advocacy.
Rendel Commission initiated (constitutional reform process)
Governor John Nicoll initiated the Rendel Commission (July 1953) which opened up 25 elected seats and set the stage for the 1955 election and later self-government talks.
PAP inaugural meeting at 38 Oxley Road
Early meetings and debates about party name/ideology were held at 38 Oxley Road; site later noted as PAP founding locus.
Co-founded the People's Action Party (PAP)
PAP inaugurated at Victoria Memorial Hall; Lee became secretary-general (a post he held, with brief interruptions, until 1992).
Founded Lee & Lee law firm
Formed the law firm Lee & Lee with his wife and brother (Roots/National Archives note that firm formed c.1955), before full-time politics.
Elected to Legislative Assembly for Tanjong Pagar; became Leader of the Opposition
Won Tanjong Pagar SMC in the 1955 general election (PAP won 3 contested seats); became de facto opposition leader.
Addressed May Day rally during Hock Lee Bus strike
Spoke at rally as legal advisor to SBWU; events escalated into violent Hock Lee riots (12 May 1955), a major social crisis.
Member of Singapore delegation to London (Merdeka talks) — first round
Participated in constitutional talks seeking greater self-government; delegations across 1956–1958.
Won June 1957 by-election with 68.1% of vote
Re-elected in a by-election amid constitutional negotiations; reinforced political mandate.
Restored as Secretary-General of PAP
After intra-party left-wing takeover attempt and subsequent arrests of left leaders, Lee was restored to lead the PAP.
State of Singapore Act passed by British Parliament
British House of Lords passed State of Singapore Act (24 July 1958), paving way for self-government under new constitution.
PAP landslide victory in 1959 elections
PAP won 43 of 51 seats on an anti-colonial, anti-communist platform; victory led to formation of self-governing administration.
Sworn in as First Prime Minister of Singapore
Lee Kuan Yew became Singapore's first Prime Minister, forming a cabinet and launching a five-year plan for housing, education, and industrialization.
Establishment of Housing Development Board (HDB)
Under Lee's government, HDB was formed (1960) to implement public housing and urban renewal programs (part of five-year plan).
PAP left-wing split; formation of Barisan Sosialis
Left-wing PAP members broke away (Barisan Sosialis), allowing Lee to sever communist ties and consolidate moderate PAP control.
Economic Development Board (EDB) created / industrialization push
Government moved to industrialize Singapore and attract foreign investment (EDB established 1961) to create jobs and export industries.
1962 referendum on merger with Malaya
Lee campaigned for merger with Malaya (to form Malaysia) in 1962 referendum; this led to union in 1963.
Singapore joined Federation of Malaysia
Singapore became a state within the newly formed Federation of Malaysia on 16 September 1963.
Member of Malaysian Parliament representing Singapore
Served as one of the 15 Singapore MPs to the Parliament of Malaysia (2 Nov 1963–9 Aug 1965).
1964 racial riots
Communal tensions between Chinese and Malays led to violent riots in 1964 during the Malaysia period, highlighting racial fault-lines.
Expulsion from Malaysia; Singapore becomes independent
Tunku Abdul Rahman announced Singapore's separation; on 9 Aug 1965 Singapore became a sovereign republic with Lee as Prime Minister (televised, emotional address).
Award — First Class Order of the Rising Sun (Japan)
Conferred Japan's First Class Order of the Rising Sun in recognition of contributions to bilateral relations.
Helped found ASEAN
Lee played a major role in formation of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) in 1967 to promote regional stability and cooperation.
Introduction of National Service (conscription)
As part of defence build-up after independence, Singapore implemented national service (from 1967) to create a trained national army.
PAP won all Parliamentary seats (1968 election)
After Barisan Sosialis boycott and detentions, PAP won every seat in 1968 election — beginning a period (1968–1981) of no formal opposition representation.
Honorary Fellow (Fitzwilliam) and Honorary Bencher (Middle Temple)
Recognized by Cambridge/Fitzwilliam (Honorary Fellow) and Middle Temple (Honorary Bencher) in 1969 for achievements.
Awarded C.H. (Companion of Honour)
Received the C.H. in 1970 (British honour).
Awarded G.C.M.G.
Awarded Knight Grand Cross of the Order of St Michael and St George (G.C.M.G.) in 1972.
Award — Bintang Republik Indonesia Adi Pradana
Received Indonesia's high state honour Bintang Republik Indonesia Adi Pradana in 1973.
Freedom of the City of London
Granted the Freedom of the City of London in recognition of contributions to international relations and governance.
PAP won 1984 and 1988 general elections (continued premiership)
PAP victory in successive elections (1984, 1988) allowed Lee to remain prime minister while succession planning became a pressing issue in the 1980s.
Award — Most Honourable Order of the Crown of Johore, First Class
Received the First Class of the Most Honourable Order of the Crown of Johore (1984).
Award — The Most Esteemed Family Order, DK, Brunei
Conferred Brunei's Most Esteemed Family Order, Darjah Kerabat Laila Utama (DK) in 1990.
Resigned as Prime Minister; succession to Goh Chok Tong
Stepped down as Prime Minister on 28 November 1990 after 31 years; nominated and handed over to Goh Chok Tong; remained influential as Senior Minister.
Appointed Senior Minister in Cabinet
Continued in cabinet as Senior Minister (28 Nov 1990–12 Aug 2004), exercising significant influence over policy and succession.
Lee Kuan Yew Scholarship established by Public Service Commission
PSC set up the Lee Kuan Yew Scholarship in 1991 to honour his contributions and support public service talent development.
Won parliamentary elections; continued MP for Tanjong Pagar
Re-elected to Parliament in 1991 (and subsequently 1997, 2001, 2006, 2011), retaining Tanjong Pagar seat for decades until his death.
Publication — The Singapore Story: Memoirs of Lee Kuan Yew (expanded editions)
Published memoirs recounting Singapore's early history and his role (The Singapore Story first published 1998 editions and related works).
Publication — From Third World to First: The Singapore Story 1965–2000
Published memoir chronicling policy decisions and Singapore's transformation (important source on his governing philosophy).
Lee Kuan Yew School of Public Policy established (tribute/legacy)
Lee Kuan Yew School of Public Policy formally opened in 2004 (NUS) as part of his enduring institutional legacy.
Appointed Minister Mentor
After his son Lee Hsien Loong became Prime Minister (2004), Lee Kuan Yew was named Minister Mentor (12 Aug 2004–20 May 2011).
Hospitalized with chest infection
Admitted to hospital for chest infection (reported in 2010), first in a sequence of health declines in later years.
Named in Time magazine's 100 Most Influential People
Time magazine included Lee in its 2010 list of the 100 most influential people worldwide.
Appointed Senior Advisor to Government of Singapore Investment Corporation (GIC)
Shortly after leaving cabinet, served as Senior Advisor to GIC (per PMO), advising on sovereign wealth matters.
Stepped down as Minister Mentor; left Cabinet
Stepped down from Cabinet on 14 May 2011, ending an active ministerial role while remaining an MP until his death.
Hospitalized for stroke-like symptoms and severe pneumonia in 2013
Experienced significant health episodes including stroke-like symptoms (early 2013) and later severe pneumonia in 2015 lead-up.
State mourning and public tributes
Week of national mourning; approximately 1.7 million people paid respects at Parliament House and tribute sites.
Death from pneumonia
Died at 3:18 AM on 23 March 2015 in Singapore aged 91; death prompted a week of national mourning.
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