The city-state's First Lady has died after losing a 2.5-year battle against colon cancer.
President Ong Teng Cheong's Shanghainese wife, Ling Siew May, passed away peacefully at 11.25am yesterday at the National University Hospital after being placed in intensive care on Wednesday, a statement from his office said.
Mr Ong, who became Singapore's first popularly elected president in 1993, has been fighting his own battle with cancer.
Although he says his illness is now in remission, Mr Ong has announced plans to retire next month. The President was diagnosed with low-grade malignant lymphoma in 1992.
He said the 62-year-old First Lady's health had been a factor in his decision not to stand for re-election.
Mrs Ong, who moved to Singapore from China as a youth, leaves behind two sons.