Lee Kuan Yew

Lawyer, Prime Minister (1923–2015)

Lee Kuan Yew was the prime minster of Singapore from 1959 to 1990, making him the longest-serving PM in history. During his long rule, Singapore became the most prosperous nation in Southeast Asia.

IN THESE GROUPS

• Famous Virgoans
• Famous People Born in Singapore
• Famous People Born on September 16
• Famous People Born in 1923

“Even from my sick bed, even if you are going to lower me into the grave and I feel something is going wrong, I will get up.”—Lee Kuan Yew.

Synopsis

Born in Singapore on September 16, 1923, Lee Kuan Yew became the longest-serving prime minister in world history. Lee rose through the ranks of his country’s political system before becoming the first prime minister of Singapore on June 5, 1959. In 1962, Lee led Singapore into a merger with Malaysia, but three years later, Singapore left the union for good. Lee resigned as prime minister in 1990, and his son became prime minister in 2004. Lee died on March 23, 2015.