Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad and Tun Dr Siti Hasmah Mohd Ali received official recognition as record-breaking centenarians at a ceremony on August 11, 2026, at the Perdana Leadership Foundation in Kuala Lumpur [1, 2, 3]. The couple achieved three honors from ASEAN Records and ASIA Records: Dr Mahathir as the Oldest Living Former Prime Minister at age 101, Dr Siti Hasmah as the Oldest Living Spouse of a Former Prime Minister at age 100, and jointly as the first former head of government and spouse to both become living centenarians [1, 4, 3].
Dr Mahathir marked his 101st birthday on July 10, 2026, followed by Dr Siti Hasmah’s 100th birthday two days later on July 12, 2026 [1, 2]. They celebrated their 70th wedding anniversary on August 5, 2026, having married on that date in 1956 after first meeting in 1947 while studying medicine [1, 3].
Dr Mahathir served as Malaysia’s Prime Minister for a combined 24 years across two terms from 1981 to 2003 and 2018 to 2020. During that period, Dr Siti Hasmah acted as First Lady and remained active in health and community services [3].
ASEAN Records and ASIA Records confirmed that no other former head of government and spouse have both reached 100 years as living individuals in any ASEAN or major Asian markets, marking the couple as unique in regional history [1, 4].
At the ceremony, Dr Mahathir said, "The recognition was presented at a ceremony held at the Perdana Leadership Foundation here yesterday, marking a month of significant milestones for the couple" [2].
The couple’s long marriage and public service careers continue to draw attention as they enter this rare stage of life. The Perdana Leadership Foundation ceremony formally consolidated their place in record books, following their recent birthdays and anniversary milestones [1, 3].
