Profile Text
Date of Birth: 22 January, 1936
Place of Birth: Singapore, Straits Settlements
Date of Death: 8 February, 2002
Place of Death: Tanglin, Singapore
Ethnicity: Chinese
Ong Teng Cheong was a Singaporean politician, statesman, architect, and union leader. He served as President of Singapore , from 1 September, 1993 to 1 September, 1999. He was also Minister for Communications, from 1 July, 1977 to 9 May, 1983, Minister for Labour, from 5 January, 1981 to 9 May, 1983, Chairman of the People’s Action Party, from 5 January, 1981 to 16 August, 1993, Secretary-General of the National Trades Union Congress, from May 1983 to 1 September, 1993, and co-Deputy Prime Minister of Singapore, from 2 January, 1985 to 16 August, 1993.
He was the son of Ong Keng Wee. He was married to Chinese-born Singaporean architect Ling Siew May, until her death, with whom he had two children.
Cheong’s paternal grandfather was named Messr Ong.
Cheong’s paternal grandmother was Min/Yan Neo Sng (the daughter of Leng Sng and Chye Neo Tan).
Cheong’s maternal grandfather’s surname was Chan.