Koh Sok Hiong
Koh Sok Hiong | |
|---|---|
| 许淑香 | |
 Koh in 1936 | |
| 4th Spouse of the President of Singapore | |
| In office 2 September 1985 – 1 September 1993 | |
| President | Wee Kim Wee |
| Preceded by | Avadai Dhanam Lakshimi |
| Succeeded by | Ling Siew May |
| Personal details | |
| Born | 5 July 1916 Straits Settlements |
| Died | 7 July 2018 (aged 102) Changi General Hospital, Singapore |
| Spouse(s) | Wee Kim Wee (m. 1936; died 2005) |
| Children | 7 |
Koh Sok Hiong (Chinese: 许淑香; 5 July 1916 – 7 July 2018), also known as Ms Wee Kim Wee, was a Singaporean philanthropist and chef who served as the 4th Spouse of the President of Singapore from 1985 to 1993, of President Wee Kim Wee.
Born in Singapore during colonial rule, Koh studied at Nanyang Girls' High School before marrying Wee in 1936. During Wee's career as a diplomat, she helped host formal dinner parties for him, including cooking all the food for the dinner. Koh usually cooked Peranakan cuisine, releasing a book in 2005 compiling all of her recipes.
During her time as Spouse of the President, she performed philanthropic work for multiple charities and was also known for her fashion, particularly that she frequently wore cheongsams, a Chinese dress. Koh died on 7 July 2018, Wee predeceased her in 2005.
Early life and education
[edit]Koh was born on 5 July 1916, the eldest of eight children, in the Straits Settlements[1] to Hokkien businessman Khor Chwee Thor and Koh See Neo, a nyonya.[2]
She studied at Hwa Chiau Chinese and English School and Nanyang Girls' High School.[2] In 1935, Koh met her future husband Wee Kim Wee and they later got married in 1936. Her wedding was conducted in Mandarin at the United Chinese Library.[3]
Career
[edit]In 1965, she worked as a food writer for magazine Her World in a column titled "Malaysian Kitchen", writing nyonya recipes.[3] Whilst Wee worked as a diplomat, Koh often cooked and hosted dinner parties, with Wee's personal assistant stating about Koh that "cooking and managing a formal sit-down official dinner for 20 guests was just as easy as preparing for a one-to-one lunch."[4]
Spouse of the President of Singapore (1985–1993)
[edit]
In 1985, Koh became the 4th Spouse of the President of Singapore after her husband Wee, was elected President of Singapore.[5] During her time as Spouse, she did philanthropy work and supported charities such as Girl Guides Singapore, Life Community Services Society, and Jamiyah Home for the Aged,[3] serving as the patron of the former from 1985 to 1994.[6][7] In 1986, she met Pope John Paul II.[8]
Koh was also known for her fashion and wearing cheongsams, a traditional Chinese dress. She tend to wear cheongsams with different styles and fabrics for different events, with most in red, her favourite colour.[9]
In 1993, Koh stepped down as Spouse after Wee's resignation as president.[10] Then-Prime Minister Goh Chok Tong stated that she had "contributed to the prestige and respectability of the presidency".[11]
Personal life
[edit]She married Wee Kim Wee in 1936 and they had 7 kids.[12] In 2005, her daughter Wee Eng Hwa, published a cookbook titled Cooking for the President: Reflections & Recipes of Mrs. Wee Kim Wee which contained 200 of Koh's Peranakan recipes.[13] In 2015, she suffered a stroke that left her using a wheelchair and being tube-fed.[14]
Death
[edit]On 7 July 2018, Koh died at Changi General Hospital after suffering from some breathing difficulties at 102. She is survived by her 6 children,[a] 13 grandchildren, and 17 great-grandchildren.[14]
References
[edit]Notes
[edit]- ^ Koh had 7 children but her only son, Bill Wee Hock Kee, died in 2015.
Citations
[edit]- ^ Ng, Irene (17 August 1993). "First Lady's pain and joy". The New Paper. p. 10. Retrieved 23 April 2024 – via NewspaperSG.
- ^ a b Tham, Sean; Chaw, Elly (9 July 2018). "In Memoriam: 6 lesser-known facts about Mrs Wee Kim Wee". The Peak Magazine. Archived from the original on 23 April 2024. Retrieved 23 April 2024.
- ^ a b c "12 things you didn't know about Mrs Wee Kim Wee". The Straits Times. 9 July 2018. ISSN 0585-3923. Archived from the original on 23 April 2024. Retrieved 23 April 2024.
- ^ Chor & May 2012, p. 104
- ^ John, Alan (28 August 1985). "Wee Kim Wee to be President". The Straits Times. p. 1. Retrieved 23 April 2024 – via NewspaperSG.
- ^ "Guide award for Mrs Dhana". The Straits Times. 30 July 1990. p. 23. Retrieved 23 April 2024 – via NewspaperSG.
- ^ Choo, Cynthia (11 July 2018). "Family and friends turn up to pay last respects to Mrs Wee Kim Wee". TODAY. Archived from the original on 23 April 2024. Retrieved 23 April 2024.
- ^ "Pope meets the President and PM Lee". The Straits Times. 21 November 1986. p. 20. Retrieved 23 April 2024 – via NewspaperSG.
- ^ Chor & May 2012, p. 106
- ^ "Warmth always remembered". The Business Times. 2 September 1993. p. 24. Retrieved 23 April 2024 – via NewspaperSG.
- ^ Teo, Anna; Chuang, Peck Ming (1 September 1993). "House pays tribute to outgoing President". The Business Times. p. 2. Retrieved 23 April 2024 – via NewspaperSG.
- ^ "'Cooking for her is an art form'". The New Paper. 17 August 1993. p. 10. Retrieved 23 April 2024 – via NewspaperSG.
- ^ Yuen-C, Tham (8 July 2018). "Wife of Wee Kim Wee dies at 102". The Straits Times. ISSN 0585-3923. Archived from the original on 23 April 2024. Retrieved 23 April 2024.
- ^ a b Yuen-C, Tham (8 July 2018). "Mrs Wee Kim Wee, wife of late Singapore president, dies at age 102". The Straits Times. ISSN 0585-3923. Archived from the original on 7 November 2023. Retrieved 23 April 2024.
Bibliography
[edit]- Chor, Lin Lee; May, Khuen Chung (2012). In the Mood for Cheongsam. Editions Didier Millet. ISBN 9789814260923.