Lee Wei Ling
Lee Wei Ling was a Singaporean neurologist, author, and the director of the National Neuroscience Institute. A prominent member of the Lee family, she was the only daughter of Lee Kuan Yew, Singapore's founding prime minister, and Kwa Geok Choo.
She was the younger sister of Lee Hsien Loong, Singapore's third prime minister, and the older sister of Lee Hsien Yang.
Early Life and Education
Lee Wei Ling was born on 7 January 1955. In 1973, she received a President's Scholarship and went on to study medicine at the University of Singapore (now the National University of Singapore).
She graduated at the top of her class with a Bachelor of Medicine and Bachelor of Surgery degree, winning numerous academic prizes. Although she initially aspired to become a veterinarian due to her love for animals, she was persuaded by her parents to pursue medicine.
Medical Career
Lee began her medical career in the pediatric ward at Singapore General Hospital (SGH) before specialising in neurology. She achieved board certification from the American Board of Clinical Neuropsychology and rose to become the director of the National Neuroscience Institute.
Known for her clinical expertise, Lee was a trusted doctor within her family and among her patients, despite her blunt bedside manner. Her focus was always on advocating for the best outcomes for her patients.
Personal Life
Lee Wei Ling was known for her strong-willed, independent personality and her determination to speak truth to power. She embraced her identity as a tomboy and had a lifelong competitive spirit, excelling in academics, sports, and her professional life.
A black belt in karate and a dedicated long-distance runner, she inspired her father to take up jogging and encouraged physical fitness within her family.
Her adventurous spirit extended to the outdoors; she enjoyed hiking and travelling, including a memorable trip to Machu Picchu in early 2020, despite her illness affecting her mobility.
Unmarried, Lee lived her entire life at the family home at 38 Oxley Road, which she deeply cherished. She took on the primary responsibility of caring for her parents in their later years, particularly after her mother’s stroke in 2003, becoming her father’s companion and confidant during his final years.
Writing and Public Commentary
Lee discovered a passion for writing later in life and became a popular columnist for The Straits Times. Her columns often reflected her unfiltered views on society and personal anecdotes.
These columns were compiled into the book A Hakka Woman's Singapore Stories: My Life as a Daughter, Doctor, and Diehard Singaporean, which became a bestseller in 2016.
Lee was a staunch advocate for her father’s wish to prevent the deification of his legacy, writing in 2016 that "Lee Kuan Yew would have cringed at the hero worship just one year after his death."
Administrator of Lee Kuan Yew's Will
As a joint administrator and executor of Lee Kuan Yew's will, Lee Wei Ling played a pivotal role in the public and private discussions over the fate of the family home at 38 Oxley Road.
Alongside her brother Lee Hsien Yang, she opposed Lee Hsien Loong's alleged plans to preserve the house as a monument, arguing that this contravened their father’s explicit wishes for its demolition.
The siblings publicly accused Lee Hsien Loong of leveraging his position to further personal and political goals, leading to a heated dispute in 2017. A parliamentary session was convened to address the matter, after which the siblings agreed to keep the family conflict private.
Illness and Death
In August 2020, Lee revealed that she had been diagnosed with progressive supranuclear palsy, a rare brain disorder that affected her balance and mobility. Despite her illness, she remained stoic, continuing her writing and maintaining her resolve to live life to the fullest.
Lee passed away at her home on 9 October 2024, at the age of 69. Honoring her wishes, her funeral was simple, and her ashes were scattered at sea.
Legacy and Character
Lee Wei Ling was remembered as a fighter, idealist, and outspoken advocate for justice. Her family recalled her as a modern-day Don Quixote, driven by her sense of purpose and unflinching commitment to her principles. Her contributions to Singapore’s medical field, her writing, and her personal sacrifices for her family cement her legacy as a remarkable and complex individual.
Publications
- Lee, Wei Ling; Yap, Koon Hong (2016). A Hakka Woman's Singapore Stories: My Life as a Daughter, Doctor, and Diehard Singaporean. Singapore: Straits Times Press.