Lee Kuan Yew

Date of Birth: September 16, 1923

Zodiac Sign: Virgo

Date of Death: March 23, 2015

Biography

Lee Kuan Yew, often referred to as LKY, was the founding father and first Prime Minister of Singapore, serving from 1959 to 1990. Born into a wealthy Chinese family, Lee was educated at Raffles Institution and later attended the London School of Economics before transferring to Fitzwilliam College, Cambridge, where he graduated with double first-class honors in law. After returning to Singapore, he co-founded the People’s Action Party (PAP) in 1954, which played a crucial role in the country’s path to self-governance and independence. Under Lee’s leadership, Singapore transformed from a small, underdeveloped British colony into one of the world’s most prosperous and advanced nations. Known for his pragmatic and sometimes authoritarian approach, Lee implemented policies that emphasized economic growth, education, and anti-corruption measures. His tenure saw the creation of a robust public housing program, a world-class education system, and a thriving financial hub. Lee stepped down as Prime Minister in 1990 but remained active in politics as Senior Minister and later Minister Mentor until his retirement in 2011. His legacy continues to influence Singapore’s political and economic landscape.

5 Interesting Facts about Lee Kuan Yew

1. Lee Kuan Yew was instrumental in the merger of Singapore with Malaysia in 1963, a union that lasted until 1965.

2. He was fluent in English, Malay, Mandarin, and Hokkien, reflecting Singapore’s multicultural society.

3. Lee played a critical role in establishing the Economic Development Board in 1961, which attracted foreign investment to Singapore.

4. He was known for his strong stance on social discipline, which included controversial policies like banning chewing gum.

5. Lee Kuan Yew was awarded the Order of Temasek (First Class), Singapore’s highest civilian honor, in 1990.

5 Most Interesting Quotes from Lee Kuan Yew

1. “I always tried to be correct, not politically correct.”

2. “At the end of the day, what I have is a successful Singapore. What have they got?”

3. “I am often accused of interfering in the private lives of citizens. Yes, if I did not, had I not done that, we wouldn’t be here today.”

4. “Between being loved and being feared, I have always believed Machiavelli was right. If nobody is afraid of me, I’m meaningless.”

5. “The task of the leaders must be to teach men how to live in harmony, not to divide them.”

Highest Net Worth Achieved

Lee Kuan Yew’s net worth was estimated to be around $80 million at its highest, primarily from his government salary and book royalties.

Children

Lee Kuan Yew had three children: 1. **Lee Hsien Loong** – Born in 1952, he is the current Prime Minister of Singapore. 2. **Lee Wei Ling** – Born in 1955, she is a prominent neurologist and former Director of the National Neuroscience Institute. 3. **Lee Hsien Yang** – Born in 1957, he is a businessman and former CEO of SingTel.