First Lady or Gentleman of Indonesia facts for kids

Quick facts for kids First Lady or Gentleman of Indonesia
National emblem of Indonesia
Incumbent Iriana since 20 October 2014
Style	Her Excellency (diplomatic) Mrs. Widodo (informal)
Residence	Merdeka Palace (official) State Palace Bogor Palace Tampaksiring Palace Gedung Agung Cipanas Palace
Seat	Jakarta
Term length	5 years
Inaugural holder	Fatmawati (as first lady) Taufiq Kiemas (as first gentleman)
Formation	18 August 1945 (75 years ago)

In Indonesia, the wife of the president is called the First Lady (Indonesian: Ibu Negara). If the president is a woman, her husband is called the First Gentleman (Indonesian: Bapak Negara). This important role is held by the spouse of the president of Indonesia.

Even though the Constitution of Indonesia doesn't officially talk about the president's spouse, they play a big part in Indonesian society. They often help the president with official duties. They also support many social and charity projects.

The current First Lady is Iriana. She is married to the current president, Joko Widodo. So far, Taufiq Kiemas is the only First Gentleman. He was married to President Megawati Sukarnoputri.

History of the First Lady Role

It's not exactly clear when the role of Ibu Negara (First Lady) first started in Indonesia. It became a tradition over time.

Early First Ladies

Sukarno was Indonesia's first president. His third wife, Fatmawati, became the first First Lady in August 1945. She was very important in the early days of the country. She even sewed the first Indonesian flag.

Later, Sukarno married other women. But Fatmawati was still seen as the main First Lady. Another wife, Hartini, sometimes joined the president for official events. She also traveled with him to other countries.

The Longest Serving First Lady

Siti Hartinah, who was President Suharto's wife, was First Lady for a very long time. She held the role until she passed away in April 1996. After her death, her oldest daughter, Siti Hardiyanti Rukmana (also known as "Tutut"), took over some of her mother's duties. She helped her father until his presidency ended in 1998.

List of First Ladies and Gentlemen

Here is a list of the people who have held the title of First Lady or First Gentleman in Indonesia.

No.	Portrait	Name	Time in Office	Age at start	President (Spouse)
1		Fatmawati Born: 5 February 1923 Died: 14 May 1980	18 August 1945 – 12 March 1967	22 years	Sukarno
2		Siti Hartinah Born: 23 August 1923 Died: 28 April 1996	12 March 1967 – 28 April 1996 (died in office)	43 years	Suharto
3		Hasri Ainun Besari Born: 11 August 1937 Died: 22 May 2010	21 May 1998 – 20 October 1999	60 years	Bacharuddin Jusuf Habibie
4		Sinta Nuriyah Born: 8 March 1948	20 October 1999 – 23 July 2001	51 years	Abdurrahman Wahid
5		Muhammad Taufiq Kiemas Born: 31 December 1942 Died: 8 June 2013	23 July 2001 – 20 October 2004	58 years	Megawati Sukarnoputri
6		Kristiani Herrawati Born: 6 July 1952 Died: 1 June 2019	20 October 2004 – 20 October 2014	52 years	Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono
7		Iriana Born: 1 October 1964	20 October 2014 – present	50 years	Joko Widodo

See also

• List of presidents of Indonesia
• List of vice presidents of Indonesia