Tharman Shanmugaratnam is a Singaporean economist and politician with a long and influential career in public service.
He rose to prominence through his roles in the Singaporean government, serving as deputy prime minister, finance minister and senior minister before stepping down in 2023 to successfully run for president.
Known for his efforts in economic reform, education and global financial governance, Tharman Shanmugaratnam’s leadership has made him a respected figure in Singapore and internationally.
His election as Singapore’s ninth President in 2023 marks another important chapter in his distinguished career.
contour
- Full name: Tharman Shanmugaratnam
- Date of birth: February 25, 1957
- Age: 67 years old
- Gender: Male
- Place of birth: Singapore
- Nationality: Singapore
- Occupation: Economist, politician, President of Singapore
- Height: Not applicable
- Parents: Kanagaratnam Shanmugaratnam (father)
- Siblings: Not applicable
- Spouse: Jane Itoji
- Children: Tara Shanmugaratnam (daughter), three sons
- Relationship status: Married
- Religion: Not applicable
- Ethnicity: Javnis Tamil
- Net worth: $68 million
early life and education
Tharman Shanmugaratnam, 67 years old, was born on February 25, 1957 in Singapore.
His father, Professor Emeritus Kanagaratnam Shanmugaratnam, is a renowned histopathologist and is often referred to as the “Father of Pathology” in Singapore.
Growing up in a Tamil family of Sri Lankan descent, Tharman showed talent for sports as a child and excelled in multiple sports despite suffering from anemia at a young age.
Tharman Shanmugaratnam’s educational experience enabled him to advance from the Anglo-Chinese School in Singapore to famous foreign institutions. He received a BA in Economics from the London School of Economics (LSE) and an MPhil in Economics from the University of Cambridge.
His academic journey also led him to the Harvard Kennedy School, where he earned a Master of Public Administration and was awarded the Lucius N. Littauer Scholarship for his leadership potential.
personal life
Tharman’s husband, Jane Ittogi, is a lawyer with a background in social development and sustainability. The couple has four children: a daughter, Tara, and three sons.
Tharman Shanmugaratnam and Jane are actively involved in various community and social activities, reflecting their commitment to social progress.
Profession
Tharman Shanmugaratnam began his career at the Monetary Authority of Singapore (MAS), eventually becoming Managing Director.
His work at MAS laid the foundation for his later role in government. In 2001, he entered politics as a Member of Parliament representing Jurong GRC and was appointed Senior Minister of State shortly after.
In 2003, Tharman Shanmugaratnam became Minister of Education and implemented major reforms to promote lifelong learning and expand elite opportunities in Singapore.
Tharman Shanmugaratnam became Singapore’s finance minister in 2007 and oversaw the country’s economy during the 2008 global financial crisis.
His deft handling of crises earned him international recognition. From 2011 to 2019, he served as Deputy Prime Minister, focusing on economic and social policy.
His contributions to global economic governance include serving as Chairman of the G20 Eminent Persons Group on Global Financial Governance and Co-Chair of the Global Water Economy Commission.
In 2023, Tharman Shanmugaratnam announced his intention to run for the non-partisan presidency of Singapore. He won the election with 70.41% of the vote, marking a new stage in his career as head of state.
Awards
- Singapore Public Administration Medal (Gold Award)
- Harvard Kennedy School Lucius N. Littauer Scholarship
- Honorary Fellow of the London School of Economics and Political Science
- Singapore Person of the Year (2019)
- Economic and policy contributions have received multiple international recognitions
net worth
Tharman Shanmugaratnam’s estimated net worth is between $68 million and $79 million.
His wealth comes from decades of public service, including senior positions in government and international economic councils.
social media
- Twitter: N/A
- Instagram: Not applicable
