Mahathir’s daughter, Marina Mahathir, 69, said that her father remained in good health but was grieving the loss of his lifelong companion.
“Of course he is sad. She was his partner for 70 years. He feels lonely,” she told reporters on Monday, as quoted by local news platform Berita Harian.
Hasmah had been married to Mahathir since 1956 and they marked 70 years together in August.
They met as medical students at what was then known as King Edward VII College of Medicine in Singapore.
Upon graduation, Hasmah, who was born in Klang, Selangor, became the first woman to be appointed a medical officer in the government service in Kedah, her husband’s home state.
Hasmah also used her platform as the former prime minister’s wife to advocate for maternal health, family planning, literacy, drug abuse prevention and mental health.
