On October 2, 2023, Singapore lost one of its prominent figures, Lee Wei Ling, the daughter of the late founding father of Singapore, Lee Kuan Yew. She passed away at the age of 69, leaving behind a legacy closely tied to her father’s vision for Singapore and her own dedication to the medical profession.
A Life Dedicated to Medicine and Family
Lee Wei Ling was known to many as a neurologist and a key figure in the medical field in Singapore. Born in 1954, she pursued a career in medicine, studying at the prestigious National University of Singapore (NUS) and later continuing her specialization in neurology. For many years, she worked at the National Neuroscience Institute (NNI), contributing to the growth of the healthcare system in Singapore.
Despite her professional achievements, she often chose to stay out of the limelight, allowing her work to speak for itself. She was passionate about medicine, but her dedication to family was just as strong. As the daughter of Lee Kuan Yew, her life was inextricably linked to Singapore’s history, and she maintained a close relationship with both her father and her brother, Lee Hsien Loong, Singapore’s current Prime Minister.
Lee Wei Ling’s Bond with Lee Kuan Yew
The bond between Lee Wei Ling and her father, Lee Kuan Yew, was widely known. In his later years, when his health was failing, she was his constant companion and caretaker. She often wrote publicly about their relationship and the family dynamics, giving people a rare glimpse into the private life of Singapore’s most famous political family.
Lee Wei Ling was deeply affected by her father’s death in 2015. After his passing, she became more vocal, particularly about matters concerning his legacy. She expressed her opinions on various topics through personal essays and letters, which were sometimes published in local newspapers. Through these writings, she showed her strong character and independent thinking, traits that mirrored her father’s own.
A Woman of Strong Opinions
While Lee Wei Ling was known for her work in medicine, she also gained public attention for her outspoken views, particularly on family matters and national issues. In 2017, she and her brother, Lee Hsien Yang, were involved in a public dispute with their elder brother, Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong, regarding their father’s what became to the family’s 38 Oxley Road house.
This dispute, known as the “Oxley Road saga,” revolved around Lee Kuan Yew’s wish for the family home to be demolished after his death, a wish that Wei Ling was adamant about honoring. She believed in upholding her father’s desire, which led to a disagreement with her brother, the Prime Minister. The saga captured national attention, and despite its personal nature, it had a lasting impact on public discussions about heritage and leadership in Singapore.
Wei Ling’s firm stance during this period showed her commitment to her father’s wishes, and she became a symbol of filial piety and devotion to family principles. However, this public disagreement also highlighted the complexities of familial relationships, even in Singapore’s most prominent family.
A Private, Yet Public Figure
Although Lee Wei Ling was a private person by nature, her life was often in the public eye due to her family’s prominence. Unlike her siblings, who were more involved in public service and politics, Wei Ling preferred to stay behind the scenes, focusing on her medical career and family duties.
However, her candid writings about her father’s legacy, her opinions on Singaporean society, and her willingness to speak her mind on national issues made her a public figure in her own right. In these writings, she expressed her concern for the well-being of Singaporeans and her hope for a future that would honor her father’s values of meritocracy, pragmatism, and integrity.
Her openness and transparency in discussing personal matters gave Singaporeans a unique insight into the Lee family, which was often viewed as reserved and private. Wei Ling’s willingness to share her thoughts earned her both admiration and criticism, but she never shied away from voicing her opinions.
Remembering Lee Wei Ling
Lee Wei Ling’s death marks the end of an era for the Lee family. She was not just the daughter of Singapore’s founding father, but also a dedicated professional, a devoted daughter, and a strong-willed individual who stood by her beliefs.
Her passing has been met with an outpouring of condolences from both the public and those who knew her personally. Many remember her as someone who lived with integrity and humility, following in her father’s footsteps but charting her own path in life.
Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong expressed his grief over his sister’s death, describing her as a “devoted sister” and someone who always stood by her family. Her brother Lee Hsien Yang also expressed his sorrow, stating that despite their differences, she was a beloved sister and an important figure in their family.
A Legacy of Strength and Conviction
Lee Wei Ling’s life was one marked by strength, independence, and a commitment to both family and society. While she may not have held a political office, her contributions to Singapore’s healthcare system and her firm belief in her father’s values left a lasting impact on the nation.
As Singaporeans reflect on her passing, her legacy will be remembered not just for her professional achievements, but for her steadfastness in honoring her family’s principles and her unwavering commitment to the values that her father stood for.
In many ways, Lee Wei Ling represented the spirit of resilience and conviction that has defined Singapore’s progress. She will be remembered as a key figure in the Lee family, someone who lived with purpose, and a woman who left a mark on both her family and her country.