{
  "id": 649061,
  "title": "Tun M, Dr Siti Hasmah recognised as record-breaking centenarian couple",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/08/12/tun-m-dr-siti-hasmah-recognised-as-record-breaking-centenarian-couple",
  "topic": "world",
  "section": "World",
  "published": "2026-08-12T09:21:29.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "New Straits Times",
    "slug": "new-straits-times",
    "url": "https://www.nst.com.my/news/nation/2026/08/1509699/tun-m-dr-siti-hasmah-recognised-record-breaking-centenarian-couple"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "Former Malaysian Prime Minister Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad, aged 101, and his spouse Tun Dr Siti Hasmah Mohd Ali, 100, have shattered records as the longest-living former head of government and their spouse pair. The couple received three prestigious recognitions by Asean Records and Asia Records during a ceremony held at the Perdana Leadership Foundation in Kuala Lumpur. Dr Mahathir was honoured as the Oldest Living Former Prime Minister, while his wife was named the Oldest Living Spouse of a Former Prime Minister. Additionally, they were jointly recognised as the First Former Head of Government and Spouse to Both Become Living Centenarians. This remarkable feat comes after a month marked by significant milestones for the senior couple, including Dr Mahathir's 101st birthday, Dr Siti Hasmah's 100th birthday, and their 70th wedding anniversary. The adjudication team confirmed that no similar achievement has been publicly documented in the ASEAN region or major Asian markets. The records underscore the couple's enduring legacy and shared distinction as both former heads of government and spouses who have reached the century mark while living.",
  "summary": "KUALA LUMPUR: Former prime minister Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad and his wife, Tun Dr Siti Hasmah Mohd Ali, have made history after receiving three official records recognising their longevity and unprecedented achievements as a couple.",
  "key_points": [
    "Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad, 101, becomes Oldest Living Former Prime Minister",
    "Tun Dr Siti Hasmah Mohd Ali, 100, becomes Oldest Living Spouse of a Former Prime Minister",
    "Couple recognized as First Former Head of Government and Spouse to become Living Centenarians"
  ],
  "editors_take": "This recognition cements Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad and Tun Dr Siti Hasmah Mohd Ali's legacy as a uniquely enduring and trailblazing couple in Southeast Asia's history and politics.",
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 1,
    "also_reported_by": []
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}