We know Soekarno as the proclaimer of Indonesian independence. He and Hatta read the text of the proclamation of Indonesia on August 17, 1945. Soekarno became an example for the nation because of his tenacity and courage to contribute in liberating the Indonesian nation.
It should be remembered that Indonesian independence was not just the hard work of one or two people or one or two groups. However, various elements of society throughout Indonesia participated in the realization of national independence.
In addition to being the proclaimer of Indonesian independence. Soekarno also became the first president of Indonesia with a term of service from 1945 to 1966. Soekarno had a birth name as Koesno Sosrodihardjo. He was born on June 6, 1901 in Surabaya, East Java. Soekarno was born to Raden Soekemi Sosrodihardjo and his mother Ida Ayu Nyoman Rai.
Sukarno became the originator of the foundation of the state, namely Pancasila. He also signed a March 11, 1966 Order (Supersemar) which contained an assignment for Lieutenant General Suharto to secure and maintain the security of the state and presidential institutions.
Supersemar became the basis for Lieutenant General Suharto to dissolve the Indonesian Communist Party (PKI) and replace PKI members sitting in parliament. At the fourth general assembly in 1967, the Provisional People’s Consultative Assembly (MPRS) rejected Sukarno’s accountability, so he was dismissed from his position as president. Later, Suharto replaced him as president of the Republic of Indonesia.
In his love life, Soekarno became an adherent of the polygamous system. He has nine wives. Launching from the Solopos.com page, the following is the profile of Soekarno’s wife.
1. Siti Oetari
Siti Oetari’s full name, Siti Oetari Tjokroaminoto. She married Soekarno in 1921 in Surabaya. At that time, Siti Oetari was 16 years old and Soekarno was 20 years old. Siti Oetari is the daughter of Sarekat Islam (SI) leader Hos Tjokroaminoto. Soekarno was also a student of Hos Tjokroaminoto and at that time was staying at his house.
One of the important periods of Soekarno’s political education was when he lived with his teacher, Hos Tjokroaminoto. Tjokroaminoto’s host house became Soekarno’s boarding house when he was studying at the Hogere Burger School (HBS), Surabaya.
Soekarno and Siti Oetari’s marriage did not last long. Both are reportedly not in love with each other completely. Their marriage lasted only two years. The two of them divorced when Bung Karno was about to continue his education at a higher education institution at THS (now the Bandung Institute of Technology).
2. Inggit Garnasih
Inggit Garniasih was born in Bandung on February 17, 1888. The story of Soekarno and Inggit’s marriage is not much different from Siti Oetari. At that time, Soekarno was studying in Bandung. Then, he became acquainted with Inggit Garniasih while living in the boarding house.
Inggit became a wife figure who was always there in Soekarno’s every trip. He accompanied the ups and downs of Sukarno’s life journey. From one landfill to another dump. Inggit was always loyal to Sukarno’s side.
However, in the course of his life, Soekarno fell in love with Fatmawati. Inggit doesn’t want to be mixed up. He asked Soekarno to return him to his hometown. Inggit officially divorced in 1943.
3. Fatmawati
Soekarno first met Fatmawati when she was exiled to Bengkulu. Fatmawati herself was born in Bengkulu on February 5, 1923. Then, she married Soekarno on June 1, 1943. At that time, Fatmawati was only 20 years old and Soekarno was 42 years old.
In history, Fatmawati is known as the tailor of the heritage, red and white flag that was hoisted during the proclamation of independence on August 17, 1945 at Jalan Pegangsaan Timur No. 56. Fatmawati became the mother of the first country.
Fatmawati carried out various agendas as first lady. For example making a first-time visit to India. At that time, she wore jewelery borrowed from the Secretary of State who was a descendant of the royal palace.
The marriage between Soekarno and Fatmawati was blessed with five children. Among them were Guntur Soekarnoputra, Megawati Soekarnoputri, Rachmawati Soekarnoputri, Sukmawati Soekarnoputri, and Guruh Soekarnoputra.
Fatmawati died in 1980 while on her way back to Indonesia after performing Umrah. He had a heart attack. Fatmawati was buried at the Karet Bivouac Cemetery, Jakarta.
4. Hartini
Hartini was born in Ponorogo, 20 September 1924. Hartini married Soekarno in 1952. At that time, Soekarno was on his way to Jogja to inaugurate the Syuhada Mosque. When he asked permission from Fatmawati to marry Hartini, Fatmawati did not want to be married.
Sukarno married Hartini despite much opposition from various parties. Soekarno and Hartini were married on July 7, 1953 at the Cipanas Palace. Hartini became a patient figure when accompanying Soekarno. He accompanied Soekarno in his political career, took care of him when he was sick and even faithfully accompanied him until his death.
Hartini and Soekarno were blessed with two children, namely Typhoon Soekarnoputra and Bayu Soekarnoputra. She remained Soekarno’s wife when Soekarno stepped down. Hartini died on June 21, 1970 at Gatot Subroto Hospital.
5. Kartini Manoppo
Kartini Manoppo and Soekarno met for the first time when they both witnessed a painting performance by Basuki Abdullah. At that time, Kartini became a portrait model for Basuki’s painting.
Her beautiful face stole Sukarno’s attention. Kartini, a woman from Bolaang Mondondouw, North Sulawesi, is a Garuda Indonesia flight attendant. Soekarno and Kartini Manoppo married in 1959.
The two of them were blessed with a child named Totok Suryawan Soekarnoputra in 1967. Kartini herself was never absent when Bung Karno went abroad. He comes from a respectable family. Kartini and Sukarno’s marriage was closed by Kartini herself.
6. Ratna Sari Dewi
Ratna Sari Dewi has a real name, namely Naoko Nemoto. Soekarno was fascinated by Ratna’s beautiful face during a visit to Japan. He also exchanged letters with Ratna Sari Dewi when he returned to Indonesia.
Soekarno decided to marry Ratna in 1962. At that time Soekarno was 57 years old and Nemoto was 19 years old. When she married Soekarno, Naoko Nemoto changed her name to Ratna Sari Dewi and changed her nationality to become an Indonesian citizen (WNI).
From the marriage of Soekarno and Ratna Sari Dewi, a child was born named Karina Kartika Sari Dewi. However, his second marriage did not last until the end of his life. The two are divorced. And after the divorce, Ratna Sari Dewi decided to move from one country to another.
He has lived in Switzerland, France and the United States. However, in 2008, he chose to settle down in Shibuya, Tokyo, Japan.
7. Hariati
Haryati is a dance artist who works as a staff member of the state secretary for the arts. Soekarno married Haryati in 1963. The marriage between Soekarno and Haryati did not last long, only about three years. The two of them divorced because they felt that there was no match.
8. Yurike Sanger
Yurike Siregar and Soekarno met for the first time when they both joined the Bhinneka Tunggal Ika Front in 1963 at Gelora Senayan. At that time, Yurike was still a student.
In their meetings, Soekarno paid more attention to Yurike. Bung Karno also expressed his feelings and said he wanted to marry Yurike. The two married on August 6, 1964.
The love story of the two ended when Soekarno was placed under house arrest at Wisma Yoso. The two divorced and Yurike moved on with her life.
9. Heldy Djafar
Heldy Djafar is the son of the couple H. Djafar and Hj. Hamiah. At that time, Heldy was 18 years old when she married Soekarno, who was 65 years old. The chairman of the DPA, Idham Chalid, and the Minister of Religion, Saifuddin Zuhri, personally witnessed their second marriage.
Their second marriage lasted only two years because of the political situation at that time was heating up. Thus, the communication between Heldy and Soekarno at that time was not smooth. They decide to separate. On June 16, 1968, Heldi remarried Gusti Suriansyah Noor.
Writing Recommendations Concerning Sitri Soekarno
Launching from the Orami.co.id page, You can recognize Soekarno’s wives through the following writings.
- Inggit: with the book title Quantar Ke Gerbang (1988), written by Ramadhan KH
- Fatmawati: with the book title Little Notes with Bung Karno (1978), written by Fatmawati.
- Haryati: Soekarno The Hidden Story (2001), written by Haryati Soekarno.
- Hartini: A biography of Hartini Soekarno (2009) written by Arifin Suryo Nugroho.
- Ratna Sari Dewi: Sakura in the Middle of Tempest (2008), written by M. Yuanda Zara.
- Yurike Sanger: Bung Karno’s Love Story with a High School Boy (2010), written by Kadjat Adra’i.
- Heldy: Bung Karno’s Last Love (2011), written by Ully Hermono & Peter Kasenda.
- Flowers in Soekarno’s Heart Park (2015), written by Haris Priyatna.
- Bung Karno’s Love Story with his 9 Wives, (2015), written by Haris Priyatna.
- Total Bung Karno (2013), written by Roso Daras.