Puan Noor Aishah: Singapore's First Lady

Noor Aishah Mohammad Salim was all of 26 years old when she became Singapore's First Lady in 1959 as the wife of Yusof Ishak, Singapore's Yang di-Pertuan Negara and later first President.

In an instant, this shy, quiet girl who grew up in Penang was catapulted into the public limelight and into the role of 'mother' to a new state and nascent nation. Not naturally predisposed to socialising, Noor Aishah had not been prepared nor groomed for a role in public service, but she learnt quickly and instinctively understood what was required of her.

She set the tone for all First Ladies to come, her warm and sincere personality endeared her to all, and before long, she became the epitome of all that was good and gracious in Singaporean public life. This is her story.