The Singaporean Prime Minister’s wife, Ho Ching, has been Chief Executive Officer of investment company Temasek Holdings for the last 17 years, but will retire in October. Under her watch, the company has grown its portfolio and has been transformed from a Singapore-focused firm into one of Asia’s most active state investors.
Born in 1953, a bright student, she became one of the top A-level students in National Junior College. She graduated with a Bachelor of Engineering (First Class Honours) from the University of Singapore in 1976 and six years later traveled to the U.S. to earn a master’s degree in electrical engineering from Stanford University.
In 1976, at age 23, she started her career with the Defence Engineering Service at the Singapore Ministry of Defence, before joining the Singapore Technologies group as director of engineering in 1987 and later becoming its president and CEO from 1997 to 2001.
The following year, she joined state investor Temasek as its Director and was appointed CEO two years later.
Not only has she excelled in her career, but she is also well-known for supporting charities and the community. She is especially interested in special needs education, healthcare, and the development of children. For instance, she is the founding Chairwoman of Trailblazer Foundation Limited, which is dedicated to education, sports, health, and community welfare.
In addition, she is a frequent user of social media, occasionally authoring more than 200 posts per day that air her views on almost everything. For example, during the COVID-19 pandemic, she has tried to educate her community about masks, hand sanitizers, and related matters.
As such, given her interests, community involvement, and achievements, it is little wonder that she repeatedly made it on Forbes’ lists of the World’s Most Powerful Women. Her career achievements and commitment as a risk-taker have turned her into an admirable role model for women.
As for what’s next on her mind? “I am still in Temasek until Oct 1. I will think about what’s next after Oct 1.”