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SHAH ALAM - Former prime minister Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad and his late wife, Tun Dr Hasmah Mohamad Ali, were widely known for their enduring love story and decades-long marriage.
A 2021 interview that went viral on social media captured the pair reminiscing about their initial meeting as medical students at King Edward VII College of Medicine in Singapore, a romance that eventually led them down the aisle on Aug 4, 1956.
Their bond, which first sparked in 1947 when both were medical students, marked the beginning of an iconic power couple until the late Dr Hasmah passed away at the age of 100.
"We both entered medical college in the same year, 1947. That was the year I met Tun Hasmah.
"Both of us were freshies. Freshies were always teased by the seniors, so we stuck together," Dr Mahathir said.
The late Dr Hasmah had previously revealed that their relationship grew closer after their first year at the college.
"I failed my first year because I didn't know Health Science. But when I failed, someone was kind enough to offer help and give me tuition.
"Since he was a distinction kid, I simply accepted because the tuition is free of charge, FOC," she recalled in an interview.
However, the late Dr Hasmah noted that their relationship was not always smooth sailing, as they had their fair share of bickering.
When asked if Dr Mahathir had intentionally offered free tuition to win her heart, Malaysia’s fourth and seventh Prime Minister joked that back then, many male students were vying to get close to the only Malay female student in the batch.
"At the time, there were only seven Malay students, and out of the seven, only one was a woman. Everyone scrambled to help carry her books.
"Whenever it was time for lectures, everyone wanted to carry her books to make friends.
"I joined the scramble too, but sometimes I won. She would ask about Physics, and I would give her a bit of tuition.
"So, I perhaps got more opportunities than the other five to get close to Hasmah," Dr Mahathir said.
The beloved couple also shared fond memories from their 65 years of marriage at the time. Dr Mahathir playfully mentioned that his sweetheart was often late, but he remained patient despite it.
"We bickered because she was always late. I am a punctual person; if I'm invited somewhere, I want to arrive on time. But you know how it is—she needed time to do her makeup and all that, which took ages.
"Sometimes we'd argue," he shared.
Despite their disagreements, the late Dr Hasmah revealed that her husband was humble and remained a gentleman, always making amends over a meal.
"Like back in Singapore, if we argued during tuition at my hostel, we'd go out to eat together afterwards," Dr Hasmah shared.
Dr Hasmah admitted that even after six decades of marriage, Dr Mahathir’s romantic side had not faded.
"When we were young, yes, that was normal. You're romantic when you're young, but as you get older, it wanes a bit.
"However, it never got to the point where we wouldn't hug or kiss," she said.
She also recalled that Dr Mahathir's first declaration of love was a deeply meaningful moment for her.
"When he first told me he loved me in 1949, that was the most historical moment for me," she shared.
Meanwhile, Dr Mahathir disclosed the secret to their marital happiness.
"We (husband and wife) must have tolerance. We are inherently different, and sometimes you feel like getting angry.
"At first, you get angry, but over time you realise people don't change. If she's late, she'll always be late. Even up till now.
"So, be patient. Be patient because that's just how she is," he shared.
Although regarded as a model couple by many, Dr Mahathir revealed that they never actually said "I love you" to each other.
"We never expressed it in words; instead, we just behaved affectionately towards each other.
"Every morning, I have to recharge my batteries, renew our connection," he shared.
Dr Hasmah married Dr Mahathir in Kuala Lumpur in 1956, a year after completing her graduate training at Kuala Lumpur General Hospital.
Following their wedding, the late Dr Hasmah moved to Alor Setar, Kedah, with Dr Mahathir, where she served as a medical officer at Alor Setar General Hospital.
Spanning 70 years of marriage, Dr Mahathir and the late Dr Hasmah were blessed with seven children—three daughters and four sons—along with 18 grandchildren and one great-grandchild.
