Biography of Fatmawati, the First Lady of Indonesia who Sewed the Red and White Flag

Kapanlagi.com - Fatmawati's Biography is certainly important for the younger generation to know. Because, Fatmawati is one of the figures who contributed to the Indonesian nation. Fatmawati is also known as the wife of President Soekarno and the mother of the fifth president, Megawati.

In addition, Fatmawati is also known as a figure who sewed the red and white flag. Besides that, there are still many interesting stories from Fatmawati's biography. As one of President Soekarno's closest people, Fatmawati certainly has many interesting stories in her life. But not only interesting, in Fatmawati's life story, there are also many good values that we can emulate.

Well, to get to know Fatmawati's figure more deeply, let's just take a look at her brief biography below.

1. Background and Childhood

Background and Childhood of Ibu Fatmawati (credit: wikipedia)

Indonesian society knows Fatmawati as the wife of President Soekarno. Fatmawati, who has Minang blood, was born to Hasan Din and Siti Chadijah on February 5, 1923 in Bengkulu.

Hasan Din, Fatmawati's father, is known as a businessman and a figure of Muhammadiyah in Bengkulu. Fatmawati's parents are also mentioned as descendants of Princess Indrapura, one of the royal families of the Indrapura Sultanate, Pesisir Selatan, West Sumatra.

When she was a child, Fatmawati attended public school. Then in 1930, at the request of her parents, Fatmawati was transferred to a Dutch-language school. She didn't graduate and her father moved her to a Muhammadiyah school in third grade.

Her father's business faced difficulties. Eventually, Hasan Din decided to move his family to Palembang to seek a better life. In Palembang, Hasan Din opened a printing business to support his family.

Various sources mention that Fatmawati first met Bung Karno in Bengkulu in 1938, when she was 15 years old. At that time, Fatmawati became one of the students of Soekarno.

However, Soekarno only married Fatmawati on June 1, 1943 when he was already 20 years old.At that time, Soekarno was still the leader of Pusat Tenaga Rakyat.Only after Indonesia gained independence, Soekarno became the President and Fatmawati became the first First Lady of Indonesia from 1945 to 1967.

From that marriage, they were blessed with five sons and daughters, namely Guntur Soekarnoputra, Megawati Soekarnoputri, Rachmawati Soekarnoputri, Sukmawati Soekarnoputri, and Guruh Soekarnoputra.

As is known, one of the children of the first President couple Soekarno and Fatmawati, namely Megawati Soekarnoputri, also followed in her father's footsteps in occupying the presidential seat.Megawati also became the First Female President in Indonesia.

2. The Story of Sewing the Red and White Flag

Story of Sewing the Red and White Flag (credit: wikipedia)

In addition to being the wife of President Soekarno, Fatmawati is also known as the person who sewed the red and white flag. Therefore, it would be incomplete to discuss Fatmawati's biography without mentioning the moment when Fatmawati sewed the red and white flag.

One year after Soekarno and Fatmawati got married in 1945, Japan began promising independence for Indonesia. At the moment of Rengasdengklok, Soekarno and Mohammad Hatta, under the pressure of young people, began preparing for independence.

At that time, Fatmawati started thinking that the proclamation moment required a red and white flag to be raised. However, in that situation, it was not easy to obtain red and white fabric. Because, at that time, various imported goods such as fabric were under the authority and supervision of Japan.

Fortunately, Shimizu, the person appointed by the Japanese Government as an intermediary in the Japanese-Indonesian negotiations, provided assistance. Finally, Ibu Fatmawati obtained the red and white fabric. Allegedly, Shimizu made efforts through a Japanese official who led a warehouse in Pintu Air, in front of a former cinema.

That fabric was then sewn by Ibu Fatmawati to become the red and white flag that was raised for the first time during the proclamation on August 17, 1945.

3. The End of Fatmawati's Life

End of Life Fatmawati (credit: wikipedia)

During her lifetime as the first lady, Fatmawati often accompanied President Soekarno on his duties. Therefore, Fatmawati also became a highly respected figure. Until the end of her life, Fatmawati remained respected and honored by the Indonesian people.

Fatmawati passed away on May 14, 1980, at the age of 57. Fatmawati's life ended in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia due to a heart attack. Previously, Fatmawati was on her way back from performing Umrah in Mecca. Fatmawati, who has returned, was then buried in Karet Bivak, Jakarta.

Because of her contributions, the name Fatmawati is now immortalized as the name of a hospital in Jakarta. In addition, the name Fatmawati Soekarno is also used as the name of an airport in Bengkulu, which is Fatmawati's birthplace.

Those are some brief biographies of Fatmawati, the first lady and the first wife of President Soekarno, who also sewed the red and white flag during the proclamation of independence. Hopefully, it is useful and can broaden your knowledge!

(kpl/psp)