Mahathir bin Mohamad Fast Facts

Father: an Indian Muslim, was a teacher in Northern Malaysia

Marriage: Siti Hasmah Ali (1956)

Children: Marina, Mirzan, Melinda, Mokhzani, Mukhriz, Maizura, Mazhar

Education: Entered the King Edward VII College of Medicine in Singapore in 1947

September 2007 – Has heart bypass surgery following two heart attacks within 10 months.

May 16, 2008 The Malaysian government announces it has begun an investigation into corruption by the Mahathir administration in the 1980s and 1990s.

May 19, 2008 Mahathir resigns from the United Malays National Organization, the ruling party of Malaysia.

December 1, 2013 – Steps down as an adviser to oil and gas company Petronas, due to ill health.

CNN