Personal life of Mahathir Mohamad

Mahathir Mohamad (born 10 July 1925) is a Malaysian politician, author, and physician who served as the country's prime minister for a total of 24 years across two non-consecutive terms, from 1981 to 2003 and again from 2018 to 2020. He is Malaysia's longest-serving prime minister and played a crucial role in the nation's modernization and economic development.

Mahathir's hobbies include sailing, horse riding and carpentry. He has built a functioning steam train and a boat. Mahathir attributed his longevity to disciplined eating habits, reading newspapers daily, exercising and maintaining upright posture. His favourite song is "My Way". Mahathir once revealed that he owns close to 40 horses, which were gifted to him. An avid reader, his favourite authors are Wilbur Smith and Jeffrey Archer. Mahathir, known as a workaholic, humorously remarked in 2019 that KSM is the award he adores, explaining that it stood for Kerja Sampai Mati (work till death).

According to the United Press International (UPI), Mahathir enjoys activities such as cooking and driving his family to downtown restaurants, reflecting a preference for simplicity in his personal life. Despite Malaysian culture's traditional emphasis on courtesy and tolerance, Mahathir is known for his focus on detail and emphasis on swift decision-making. Speaking to Malaysiakini, Mahathir's granddaughter, Ineza, described him as a family-oriented man who enjoys spending time with his family and joking around with his grandchildren. His longevity has sparked various theories, including rumors of blood transfusion therapy, similar to urban legends surrounding other leaders. When asked about this in the 1990s, Mahathir simply chuckled and responded with one word: "Pharmaton," a brand of Vitamin C capsules.

On 22 March 1976, Mahathir was involved in a car accident near Sekinchan. No one was injured, and he continued his journey in a police escort car to officiate school events.

In 2019, Mahathir stated that he had maintained a weight of 62 kg for the past 40 years.