It is unclear when the role of
Ibu Negara first developed in the Indonesian political convention.
Sukarno, the first president, was married to his third wife,
Fatmawati, when he became president in August 1945. Sukarno then married Hartini in July 1953 with Fatmawati's permission. Hartini lived in
Istana Bogor and accompanied the president to official state duties and visits abroad. During his presidency, Sukarno married another five women, but Fatmawati remained the first lady for the remainder of Sukarno's presidency.
Siti Hartinah,
Suharto's wife, occupied the role of
Ibu Negara until her death in April 1996. Their eldest daughter,
Siti Hardiyanti Rukmana (Tutut), adopted her mother's responsibilities throughout her father's presidency until 1998. From March to May 1998, she also served as
minister of social affairs.
Prabowo Subianto, who was
elected president in 2024, is the first Indonesian president to begin their tenure without a first spouse. He married Suharto's daughter,
Siti Hediati Hariyadi (Titiek), in 1983, but they separated shortly after Suharto
fell from power in 1998. However, Titiek was active in Prabowo's
2014,
2019, and
2024 presidential campaigns. ==List==