Dr Lee Wei Ling, daughter of Singapore’s founding prime minister, passes away at 69

Dr Lee Wei Ling, daughter of Singapore's founding prime minister Lee Kuan Yew, passed away on 9 October 2024 at the age of 69. Her brother, Lee Hsien Yang (LHY), announced the news on his Facebook page, sharing that Dr Lee died at the family home at 38 Oxley Road. Dr Lee, a noted neurologist, had long been a prominent figure in Singapore's public and private spheres. She had chosen to live a life of privacy, never marrying and remaining close to her immediate family, particularly her brother LHY. LHY requested that no flowers be presented in her memory and instead asked for donations to be made to three charities: Canossa Mission Singapore, Parkinson Society Singapore, and Total Well-Being SG Limited, in honour of Dr Lee's compassionate spirit.

Illness and Final Years

Dr Lee's diagnosis of progressive supranuclear palsy, which she announced in 2020, marked the beginning of a challenging period in her life. The neurological disorder, often mistaken for Parkinson’s disease in its early stages, progressively impaired her physical movements, vision, balance, and eventually led to difficulty swallowing and an increased risk of pneumonia. Dr Lee candidly described her condition on Facebook, explaining that for those afflicted with the disorder, death would eventually come for the fortunate. In a poignant post in March 2023, LHY revealed that Dr Lee had become "extremely unwell." He expressed deep sorrow over the fact that he might never see his sister again due to his own circumstances. In 2020, just before the global COVID-19 pandemic, LHY had taken Dr Lee on a memorable trip to Machu Picchu, fulfilling one of her long-held dreams. LHY, who has been living outside of Singapore in recent years, stated that he had been made a "fugitive" by his own country due to his stance on fulfilling their father's last wishes.

Family and Legacy

Dr Lee Wei Ling is survived by her brother LHY, his wife, and their children. She was the only daughter of the late LKY, Singapore's founding prime minister, and the sister of former Prime Minister, Lee Hsien Loong (LHL), who is now Senior Minister. Throughout her life, Dr Lee maintained a close relationship with her family, particularly with LHY, who had taken responsibility for her care following the passing of their father in 2015. Despite her close family ties, Dr Lee and LHY had a well-publicised falling out with their elder brother, LHL, following their father's death. The dispute centred around the family home at 38 Oxley Road, where LKY had lived for most of his life. Dr Lee and LHY accused their brother of opposing their father's wish to have the house demolished after his passing. Dr Lee publicly referred to her brother as "the dishonourable son," a phrase that gained wide attention during the familial dispute.

Contributions and Advocacy

In addition to her professional accomplishments as a neurologist, Dr Lee was known for her candidness and strong advocacy on matters close to her heart. In her later years, she became an outspoken figure in Singapore, especially regarding issues of legacy, family honour, and her father's wishes. Her open discussions about her health and struggles with progressive supranuclear palsy also drew attention to the often-overlooked challenges faced by individuals with rare neurodegenerative diseases. At her father's state funeral in 2015, Dr Lee delivered a moving eulogy, where she recalled how she could not allow herself to cry, stating, "I am a Hakka woman." Her brother, LHY, referred to this in his tribute to her, saying, “Ling, I am less stoic than you.” Details of Dr Lee's funeral wake will be announced in due course.