Megawati Sukarnoputri

Biographical Overview & Key Facts

Subject:

Megawati Sukarnoputri

Role / Field:

Pioneering Indonesian politician and the nation's first female president.

Born:

1947-01-23

Century / Era:

1947s Historical Era

Database Source:

2Day Chrono-Wiki & Wikipedia CC BY-SA 4.0

Origins & Foundations

Diah Permata Megawati Setiawati Sukarnoputri (Indonesian: [meɡawati sukarnɔputri] ; born 23 January 1947) is an Indonesian politician who served as the fifth president of Indonesia from 2001 to 2004 and the eighth vice president under President Abdurrahman Wahid from 1999 to 2001. She is Indonesia's first and only female president to date, and also the first president born in Indonesia after its independence. Megawati Sukarnoputri became president in 2001 when Abdurrahman Wahid was impeached and removed from office. She ran for re-election in the 2004 presidential election, but was defeated by Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono.

Key Developments & Impact

She ran again against Yudhoyono in the 2009 presidential election, and was defeated a second time. She is the first and current leader of the Indonesian Democratic Party of Struggle (PDI-P), one of Indonesia's largest political parties. She is the eldest daughter of Indonesia's first president, Sukarno. Megawati's last name (Sukarnoputri, meaning "daughter of Sukarno") is a patronym, not a family name. Javanese often do not have family names, similarly Minang living outside of traditional nagari society often do not carry on matrilineal clan names.

Chronological Milestones & Life Events

1. 1947 (1947-01-23): Birth of Megawati Sukarnoputri — Pioneering Indonesian politician and the nation's first female president.
2. 2001: 2001 Milestone — Megawati Sukarnoputri became president in 2001 when Abdurrahman Wahid was impeached and removed from office.
3. 2004: 2004 Milestone — She ran for re-election in the 2004 presidential election, but was defeated by Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono.
4. 2009: 2009 Milestone — She ran again against Yudhoyono in the 2009 presidential election, and was defeated a second time.

Historical Fact-Check Quiz: Megawati Sukarnoputri

True or False: “Megawati Sukarnoputri was the first Indonesian leader to serve as president after the country achieved its independence.”

Answer (FALSE ❌): While she was the first female president, the first president after independence was Sukarno himself.

Contemporary Figures & Related Historical Timelines

• Al Capone — Contemporary (Died in 1947) (1947): Notorious American gangster and businessman during the Prohibition era.
• Alan Guth — Contemporary (Born in 1947) (1947): Pioneering cosmologist known for developing the theory of cosmic inflation.
• Alan Sugar — Contemporary (Born in 1947) (1947): Pioneering British entrepreneur, founder of Amstrad, and TV personality.
• Abraham ibn Ezra — Shared historical date (01-23 · Died) (1167): Distinguished 12th-century Sephardic rabbi, philosopher, and biblical commentator.
• Akaji Maro — Shared historical date (01-23 · Born) (1943): Pioneering Japanese butoh performer, director, and acclaimed film actor.
• Albert Brooks — Historical peer (Born in 1947) (1947): Versatile American actor, comedian, director, and screenwriter.
• Aleister Crowley — Historical peer (Died in 1947) (1947): Founder of Thelema, a major occultist, poet, and ceremonial magician.
• Aaliyah — Historical peer (Died in 2001) (2001): Pioneering R&B artist known for redefining urban pop and hip hop sounds.
• Ahmad Shah Massoud — Historical peer (Died in 2001) (2001): Afghan military leader, known as the "Lion of Panjshir", fought against foreign occupations.
• A. A. K. Niazi — Historical peer (Died in 2004) (2004): Pakistani general who commanded Eastern Command during the 1971 Bangladesh Liberation War.
• 1947 Historical Timeline & Archive — Explore world events and figures from 1947
• January 23 (01-23) On This Day — Historical birthdays and events on January 23

Frequently Asked Questions about Megawati Sukarnoputri