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Portraits

Lee Kuan Yew through the years

Mr Lee leading a cheer for Malayan Prime Minister Tunku Abdul Rahman, who was going to London to discuss merger between Singapore and Malaya, in November 1961.

Mr Lee greeting the crowds at the National Day Parade at the National Stadium on Aug 9, 1998.

Mr Lee arriving for an interview at the Istana on Sept 8, 2011.

LKY100 – Remembering Lee Kuan Yew’s life and legacy

The nation celebrates the 100th birth anniversary of visionary leader Lee Kuan Yew, the man who built Singapore with his optimistic, never-say-die attitude.

1925 - 2013
Portraits of Lee Kuan Yew over the years. Source: Lee Kuan Yew
Portraits of Lee Kuan Yew over the years. Source: Lee Kuan Yew
1955
Visiting Catholic High School in July 1955. ST Photo: Lee Tuck Soon
Visiting Catholic High School in July 1955. ST Photo: Lee Tuck Soon
1958
Mr Lee at Assembly House, now Old Parliament House, in December 1958. Source: Lee Kuan Yew
Mr Lee at Assembly House, now Old Parliament House, in December 1958. Source: Lee Kuan Yew
1961
Mr Lee leading a cheer for Malayan Prime Minister Tunku Abdul Rahman, who was going to London to discuss merger between Singapore and Malaya, in November 1961. Source: Singapore Press Holdings
Mr Lee leading a cheer for Malayan Prime Minister Tunku Abdul Rahman, who was going to London to discuss merger between Singapore and Malaya, in November 1961. Source: Singapore Press Holdings
1968
Arriving at Parliament House in January 1968. ST Photo: Ali Yusoff
Arriving at Parliament House in January 1968. ST Photo: Ali Yusoff
1968
A portrait of Mr Lee taken in 1968. Source: Lee Kuan Yew
A portrait of Mr Lee taken in 1968. Source: Lee Kuan Yew
1970
A portrait taken in 1970. Source: Lee Kuan Yew
A portrait taken in 1970. Source: Lee Kuan Yew
Mr Lee in an undated photograph. Source: Lee Kuan Yew
Mr Lee in an undated photograph. Source: Lee Kuan Yew
Mr Lee in an undated photograph. Source: MCI Collection
Mr Lee in an undated photograph. Source: MCI Collection
1980
Waving his fist and thumping his lectern, Mr Lee’s fiery oratory could not be doused by the heavy rain on Dec 19, 1980. ST Photo: Tan Wee Him
Waving his fist and thumping his lectern, Mr Lee’s fiery oratory could not be doused by the heavy rain on Dec 19, 1980. ST Photo: Tan Wee Him
1996
An animated moment during a lunchtime rally at UOB Plaza on Dec 30, 1996. ST Photo: Stephanie Yeow
An animated moment during a lunchtime rally at UOB Plaza on Dec 30, 1996. ST Photo: Stephanie Yeow
1998
Mr Lee greeting the crowds at the 1998 National Day Parade at the National Stadium. ST Photo: Tan Suan Ann
Mr Lee greeting the crowds at the 1998 National Day Parade at the National Stadium. ST Photo: Tan Suan Ann
2000
Outside the main Istana building in April 2000. ST Photo: George Gascon
Outside the main Istana building in April 2000. ST Photo: George Gascon
2001
Mr Lee at the Istana on August 2001. ST Photo: George Gascon
Mr Lee at the Istana on August 2001. ST Photo: George Gascon
2006
Garlanded in orchids, Mr Lee waves to the crowd at the People’s Action Party election rally in Nee Soon Central on May 2, 2006. ST Photo: Lim Sin Thai
Garlanded in orchids, Mr Lee waves to the crowd at the People’s Action Party election rally in Nee Soon Central on May 2, 2006. ST Photo: Lim Sin Thai
2009
Mr Lee during an interview at the Istana in October 2009. ST Photo: Stephanie Yeow
Mr Lee during an interview at the Istana in October 2009. ST Photo: Stephanie Yeow
2011
Mr Lee arriving for an interview at the Istana on Sept 8, 2011. ST Photo: Stephanie Yeow
Mr Lee arriving for an interview at the Istana on Sept 8, 2011. ST Photo: Stephanie Yeow
Produced by:
  • Alex Lim
  • Alyssa Karla Mungcal
  • Andrea Wong
  • Cassandra Chew
  • Joelyn Tan
  • Lee Pei Jie
  • Leong Weng Kam
  • Ng Min Min
  • Stephanie Yeow
  • Yu Sheng Sin
These photographs are excerpts from the books "Lee Kuan Yew - A Life In Pictures" and "Lee Kuan Yew - A Pictorial Memoir" available here. No part of this photo feature can be reproduced without expressed permission from SPH Media.
Published by SPH Media Limited, Co. Regn. No. 202120748H. Copyright © 2023 SPH Media Limited. All rights reserved.