Feb. 18 at 12:30 PM
$EWS SINGAPORE
Lee Kuan Yew was the first and founding Prime Minister of Singapore, serving from 1959 to 1990. As the leader of the People's Action Party, he led the country to independence and transformed it from a British colonial trading port into a highly developed, prosperous nation.
Term in Office: He became Prime Minister on June 5, 1959, following Singapore's self-rule constitution, and held the position until resigning in November 1990.
Founding Role: He is widely regarded as the founding father of modern Singapore, navigating its merger and subsequent separation from Malaysia.
Leadership Style: His tenure was characterized by rapid economic growth, transformation, and strict, often authoritarian, social and political controls.
Post-PM Roles: After stepping down in 1990, he remained influential as Senior Minister and later Minister Mentor.
Before becoming PM, he was a lawyer and was a leader in the union movement.
