Mr S R Nathan was born in Singapore on 3^rd July 1924. He started working before completing his studies. After the war, he completed his secondary school education thorough self- study and entered the University of Malaya where he graduated in 1954 with a Distinction in his diploma of Social Studies.

Mr Nathan first started out in the Singapore Civil service as a medical social worker in 1955.

He resigned from his post as Ambassador-at-Large and Director of the Institude of Defence & Strategic Studies on 17^th August 1999 and was elected the 6^th president of the Republic of Singapore the next day.

Mr Nathan has a daughter, a son & 3 grandchildren.