S. R. Nathan

Born in the Straits Settlements in 1924, Sellapan Ramanathan left school after his father died and worked odd jobs through the Japanese occupation, including as a translator. He finished a diploma in social studies in 1954 and entered the civil service, rising through the Labour Ministry and Foreign Ministry to Director of the Security and Intelligence Division. In 1974, during the Laju incident, he accompanied members of the Japanese Red Army and Popular Front for the Liberation of Palestine out of Singapore to secure the release of civilian hostages - a gamble that drew international notice. He later chaired The Straits Times Press, served as High Commissioner to Malaysia and Ambassador to the United States, then became president in 1999, re-elected in 2005, both times unopposed. His presidency, ceremonial by design, leaned into public engagement and charitable work, including the President's Challenge launched in 2000. He retired in 2011 and died five years later at 92, accorded a state funeral.