Sellapan Ramanathan, Singapore’s sixth and longest-serving president, died on Monday at age 92, the government announced.
Widely known as S.R. Nathan, he was hospitalised in critical condition after suffering a stroke on July 31. It was his second stroke in less than two years.
"Mr. Nathan passed away peacefully at Singapore General Hospital on Monday,” the Prime Minister’s Office said in a statement.
Ramanathan served two terms as Singapore’s head of state from 1999 to 2011 before being succeeded by Tony Tan Keng Yam.
Following his stroke in July, accounts of Ramanathan’s humble beginnings he started work without completing his studies to settle family debts were widely circulated on social media.
“His was a story of how a young boy strove to triumph over his circumstances and make a contribution to society. He held many public service posts, and occupied the highest office in the land,” Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong said in a Facebook post.
“He was a warm and approachable president who endeared himself to Singaporeans. I remember him as a man guided by a deep sense of duty to the nation. He stepped up each time duty called. He was a true son of Singapore,” Lee added.
The Prime Minister’s Office said arrangements for the public to pay respects and for the funeral would be announced later.
Ramanathan leaves behind a wife, daughter, son and three grandchildren.
