Lee Hsien Loong (1952– ) Politician. Lee Hsien Loong was born on 10 February, the eldest son of Singapore’s first prime minister, Lee Kuan Yew, and Kwa Geok Choo. The younger Lee was educated at Catholic High School and National Junior College. In addition to English and Mandarin, Lee studied Malay and Russian. He won a President’s Scholarship and a Singapore Armed Forces (SAF) Scholarship to study mathematics at Trinity College, Cambridge University, graduating with first class honours in mathematics, and a diploma in computer science (with distinction). He later obtained a master of public administration degree from Harvard University’s John F. Kennedy School of Government.

Lee joined the SAF as an artillery officer after graduation, becoming brigadier- general at the age of 32. Trained at the US Army Command and General Staff College at Fort Leavenworth, Kansas, Lee was made the SAF’s director of the Joint Operations and Plans Directorate and, later, chief of staff (general staff).

On 29 January 1983, an oil rig, Eniwetok, struck the cable of the Sentosa Cable Car and caused two cable cars to plunge into the sea (see cable car disaster). Lee, then a senior colonel, directed the rescue operation involving all three services of the SAF.

The following year, Lee resigned from the SAF and entered politics under the People’s Action Party (PAP) banner. He was voted in as member of Parliament (MP) for Teck Ghee constituency during the 1984 general election. He was immediately appointed minister of state for trade and industry, and defence. During the recession of 1985, he chaired an economic committee that proposed changes to Singapore’s economy. The changes helped pull Singapore out of the recession. In 1986, he was promoted to acting minister for trade and industry and second minister for defence. Lee was confirmed as minister for trade and industry in 1987, a post he held until 1992.

In 1990, Lee was appointed deputy prime minister with responsibilities for economic and civil matters. Lee became chairman of the Monetary Authority of Singapore (1998) and minister for finance (2001). In August 2004, he succeeded Goh Chok Tong as prime minister, while retaining his portfolio in finance. Within the PAP, Lee was elected to the Central Executive Committee in 1986. He rose to become second assistant secretary- general (1989), first assistant secretary- general (1992) and secretary- general (December 2004). In 2006, Lee was returned as MP for Ang Mo Kio group representation constituency.

In 1978, Lee married Wong Ming Yang. Wong passed away in 1982. In 1985, Lee married Ho Ching. He has one daughter and one son from his first marriage, and two sons from his second marriage. In 1992, Lee was diagnosed with lymphoma, which went into remission after chemotherapy.