Marina Mahathir: My father healthy but lonely after loss of beloved wife

Former prime minister Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad is coping with a deep sense of loneliness following the death of his wife, Tun Dr Hasmah Mohd Ali, whom he shared more than seven decades of marriage with, according to their daughter, Datuk Marina Mahathir. — Picture by Yusof Isa

First Published: Tuesday, 29 Sep 2026 2:42 PM MYT

PUTRAJAYA, Sept 29 — Former prime minister Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad is coping with a deep sense of loneliness following the death of his wife, Tun Dr Hasmah Mohd Ali, whom he shared more than seven decades of marriage with, according to their daughter, Datuk Marina Mahathir. 

Berita Harian reported that Marina said her 101-year-old father remains in good health but is grieving the loss of his lifelong companion, who died yesterday at the age of 100. 

“Of course he is sad. She was his partner for 70 years. He feels lonely,” Marina told reporters after visiting Dr Hasmah’s grave at Pusara Negara in Presint 20 today. 

She said family members have been taking turns to stay with Dr Mahathir around the clock to ensure he is not left alone during this difficult period. 

“He feels very alone now. How could he not be sad? She was his partner for 70 years,” she said. 

Marina added that the loss has been felt by the entire family, who are still coming to terms with Siti Hasmah’s absence after years of having her at the centre of family life. 

“We all miss mother. We were so used to seeing her at home, and now it is hard to believe she is no longer with us,” she said. 

Dr Hasmah died at the National Heart Institute yesterday morning. Her death was confirmed by her son, Tan Sri Mokhzani Mahathir. 

Marina also thanked members of the public who paid their respects at the mosque and later at the burial grounds, saying the family had been touched by the overwhelming show of affection and support. 

She said hundreds of condolence messages had poured in through WhatsApp and other channels, making it impossible to respond to each one personally. 

According to Marina, many Malaysians regarded Siti Hasmah as a mother figure, making the tributes especially meaningful for the family.

Asked about visits to Dr Mahathir, Marina said her father remains open to receiving well-wishers, although the number of visitors would need to be managed to avoid overwhelming him. 

“Father can receive visitors, but we have to control the numbers. There cannot be too many at one time,” she said.