First ladies and gentlemen of Indonesia
Throughout Indonesian history, the title of First Lady (Indonesian: Ibu Negara, lit. 'Mother of the State') or, in an instance, First Gentleman (Indonesian: Bapak Negara, lit. 'Father of the State') has been used to refer to the wife or husband of the president of Indonesia. The constitution does not provide for the position in any sense, but it continues to influence Indonesian society significantly, usually in social affairs.[1] Taufiq Kiemas, husband of President Megawati Sukarnoputri, remains the only first gentleman to date.[2] The current President of Indonesia, Prabowo Subianto, is a widower. Thus, the First Lady's seat is vacant for his presidency. In Prabowo's presidency, most of the functions of the First Lady on social affairs are assumed by the current Second Lady, Selvi Ananda.[1] HistoryIt is unclear when the role of Ibu Negara first developed in the Indonesian political convention. Sukarno, the first president, was married to his third wife, Fatmawati, when he became president in August 1945. Sukarno then married Hartini in July 1953 with Fatmawati's permission. Hartini lived in Istana Bogor and accompanied the president to official state duties and visits abroad.[3] Throughout his presidency, Sukarno married another five women, but Fatmawati remained the first lady for the remainder of Sukarno's presidency. Siti Hartinah, Suharto's wife, occupied the role of Ibu Negara until her death in April 1996. Their eldest daughter, Siti Hardiyanti Rukmana (Tutut), adopted her mother's responsibilities throughout her father's presidency until 1998. From March to May 1998, she also served as minister of social affairs. Prabowo Subianto, who was elected president in 2024, is the first Indonesian president to begin their tenure without a first spouse. He married Suharto's daughter, Siti Hediati Hariyadi (Titiek), in 1983, but they separated shortly after Suharto fell from power in 1998. However, Titiek was active in Prabowo's 2014, 2019, and 2024 presidential campaigns.[4] List
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