# S. R. Nathan

_6th President of Singapore (1924–2016)_

Canonical: https://diginpl.com/people/s-r-nathan
Last updated: 2026-11-06

> Sellapan Ramanathan, often known as S. R. Nathan, was a Singaporean civil servant, diplomat and politician who served as the sixth president of Singapore between 1999 and 2011. He was the longest-serving president in the country's history, holding office for two full terms. Prior to his presidency, Nathan held various key positions in the public service, including roles in the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the Ministry of Home Affairs and the Security and Intelligence Division (SID). He also served as Singapore's High Commissioner to Malaysia and Ambassador to the United States.

## Quick facts

- **Born:** 3 July 1924 ([Wikidata](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q212188#P569))
- **Place of birth:** Singapore ([Wikidata](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q212188#P19))
- **Died:** 22 August 2016 ([Wikidata](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q212188#P570))
- **Place of death:** Singapore General Hospital ([Wikidata](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q212188#P20))
- **Citizenship:** Singapore ([Wikidata](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q212188#P27))
- **Occupation:** politician; diplomat; civil servant ([Wikidata](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q212188#P106))
- **Political party:** People's Action Party ([Wikidata](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q212188#P102))
- **Education:** Universiti Malaya; Anglo-Chinese School; Victoria School; National University of Singapore; Singapore Management University ([Wikidata](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q212188#P69))
- **Positions held:** President of Singapore (1 September 1999 – 31 August 2011); Singaporean Ambassador to the United States; president ([Wikidata](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q212188#P39))
- **Awards:** Pravasi Bharatiya Samman; Bintang Bakti Masyarakat; Pingat Pentadbiran Awam; Pingat Jasa Gemilang; Order of Temasek; doctor honoris causa of Keiō University; Gold Olympic Order ([Wikidata](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q212188#P166))

## Questions

**When was S. R. Nathan born?**  
S. R. Nathan was born on 3 July 1924 in Singapore.

**What positions has S. R. Nathan held?**  
Positions held by S. R. Nathan include: President of Singapore (1999–2011); Singaporean Ambassador to the United States; president.

**Where did S. R. Nathan study?**  
S. R. Nathan was educated at Universiti Malaya, Anglo-Chinese School, Victoria School, National University of Singapore.

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## Sources

- [Wikipedia (English): S. R. Nathan](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/S._R._Nathan) — [CC BY-SA 4.0](https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/)
- [Wikidata item Q212188](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q212188) — [CC0 1.0](https://creativecommons.org/publicdomain/zero/1.0/)
- [Image: President of Singapore SR Nathan.jpg by Calvin Teo (CC BY-SA 3.0)](https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:President_of_Singapore_SR_Nathan.jpg)

## Licence and attribution

Text from the Wikipedia article S. R. Nathan, licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0. This page's text is shared under the same licence. Facts from Wikidata (CC0). Image: President of Singapore SR Nathan.jpg — Calvin Teo, CC BY-SA 3.0.

## Cite this page

"S. R. Nathan". DigiNepal. Last updated 6 November 2026. https://diginpl.com/people/s-r-nathan. Retrieved 6 November 2026.