Koh Sok Hiong

Koh Sok Hiong (5 July 1916 – 7 July 2018), also known as Ms Wee Kim Wee, was a Singaporean philanthropist and chef who served as the 4th Spouse of the President of Singapore from 1985 to 1993, of President Wee Kim Wee.

Early life
Koh was born on 5 July 1916, the eldest of eight children, in the Straits Settlements to Hokkien businessman Khor Chwee Thor and Koh See Neo, a nyonya.

She studied at Hwa Chiau Chinese and English School and Nanyang Girls' High School. In 1942, during the Japanese occupation of Singapore, a bomb fell near her house. In 1935, Koh met her future husband Wee Kim Wee and they later got married in 1936. Her wedding was conducted in Mandarin at the United Chinese Library.

Career
In 1965, she worked as a food writer for magazine Her World in a column titled "Malaysian Kitchen", writing nyonya recipes.

In 1985, Koh became the 4th Spouse of the President of Singapore after her husband Wee, was elected President of Singapore. During her time as Spouse, she did philanthropy work and supported charities such as Girl Guides Singapore, Life Community Services Society, and Jamiyah Home for the Aged, serving as the patron of the former from 1985 to 1994. In 1986, she met Pope John Paul II.

In 1993, Koh stepped down as Spouse after Wee's resignation as president. Then-Prime Minister Goh Chok Tong stated that she had "contributed to the prestige and respectability of the presidency".

Personal life
She married Wee Kim Wee in 1936 and they had 7 kids. In 2005, her daughter Wee Eng Hwa, published a cookbook titled Cooking For The President - Reflections & Recipes Of Mrs Wee Kim Wee which contained 200 of Koh's Peranakan recipes. In 2015, she suffered a stroke that left her using a wheelchair and being tube-fed.

Death
On 7 July 2018, Koh died at Changi General Hospital after suffering from some breathing difficulties at 102. She is survived by her 6 children, 13 grandchildren, and 17 great-grandchildren.