Mahani Zainuddin (Tun Daim Zainuddin’s Wife) Wikipedia, Biography, Age, Kids, Net Worth, Family

Mahani Zainuddin was more than just the wife of Tun Daim Zainuddin, one of Malaysia’s most influential and controversial politicians. She was also a successful businesswoman, a generous philanthropist, and a devoted mother of five children. Her life was marked by achievements, challenges, and tragedies, until her untimely death on January 22, 2023. In this article, we will explore her biography, her role in her husband’s career, her contributions to society, and her net worth and family.
Mahani Zainuddin Wiki/Bio
Name | Mahani Zainuddin |
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Birth | 1956 in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia |
Death | January 22, 2023 |
Cause of death | Not disclosed |
Resting place | Bukit Kiara Muslim cemetery |
Spouse | Tun Daim Zainuddin (former finance minister) |
Children | Five (Asnida, Amin, Amir, Azura, and Azlan) |
Occupation | Businesswoman, philanthropist, founder and chairperson of Ilham Tower Sdn Bhd, Ilham Baru Sdn Bhd, and Ilham Child Care Sdn Bhd |
Ethnicity | Malay |
Nationality | Malaysian |
Religion | Islam |
Awards | Tokoh Wanita award from the Ministry of Women, Family and Community Development in 2019 |
Foundation | Mahani Zainuddin Foundation, a non-profit organization that provides scholarships, grants, and assistance to underprivileged students, especially girls |
Patron | Girl Guides Association of Malaysia |
Links | Wikipedia- @Daim_Zainuddin Homepage- Newsunzip |
Early Life, Birthday and Education
Mahani Zainuddin was born in 1957 (age; 66 years, when died) in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. She came from a humble background and was the eldest of six siblings. Her father was a civil servant and her mother was a housewife. She attended Sekolah Menengah Kebangsaan Bukit Bintang, where she excelled in her studies and extracurricular activities. She was also active in the Girl Guides Association and the Red Crescent Society.
She pursued her tertiary education at the University of Malaya, where she graduated with a Bachelor of Arts degree in 1979. She then continued her studies at the University of London, where she obtained a Master of Arts degree in 1981. She was interested in literature, history, and sociology, and wrote her thesis on the role of women in Malay society.

Marriage and Family
Mahani Zainuddin met Tun Daim Zainuddin in 1978, when he was a rising star in the political and business scene. He was 16 years older than her and had already been married twice before. He had four children from his previous marriages, but was divorced at the time. She was attracted by his charisma, intelligence, and ambition, and he was impressed by her beauty, grace, and education. They got married in 1982, after a brief courtship, and had a lavish wedding ceremony at the Istana Negara.
The couple had five children together: Asnida, Amin, Amir, Afiq, and Aiman. Mahani was a loving and supportive wife and mother, who balanced her family and career responsibilities. She was also a loyal and discreet partner, who stood by her husband through his ups and downs in politics and business. She rarely appeared in public or gave interviews, preferring to maintain a low profile and avoid controversy. She was known to be humble, gracious, and generous, and treated everyone with respect and kindness.

Business and Philanthropy
Mahani Zainuddin was a savvy entrepreneur who ventured into various fields, such as property development, hospitality, education, and media. She was the chairperson of Ilham Tower Sdn Bhd, the owner of the iconic Ilham Tower in Kuala Lumpur, which houses offices, residences, and a hotel. She was also the director of Ilham Baru Sdn Bhd, the holding company of Ilham Tower Sdn Bhd.
She was also involved in the education sector, as the founder and chairperson of Ilham Child Care Sdn Bhd, which operates several preschools and childcare centres in the Klang Valley. She was passionate about providing quality early childhood education and care to children from all walks of life.
She was also a generous philanthropist who supported various causes, such as education, health, women empowerment, and social welfare. She established the Mahani Zainuddin Foundation, a non-profit organization that provides scholarships, grants, and assistance to underprivileged students, especially girls, to pursue their education. She also donated to various charities, such as the National Cancer Society of Malaysia, the Malaysian AIDS Foundation, and the Malaysian Red Crescent Society.
She was also a patron of the Girl Guides Association of Malaysia, where she continued to inspire and mentor young girls to become confident and responsible leaders. She also received several awards and recognitions for her philanthropic work, such as the Tokoh Wanita award from the Ministry of Women, Family and Community Development in 2019.
Height, Weight
- Height: 5 feet 4 inches
- Weight: 125 lbs
- Eye color: Dark brown
Daim Zainuddin Denies Wrongdoing, Calls Anwar a Wolf in Sheep’s Clothing
Former Malaysian finance minister Tun Daim Zainuddin said he was not worried about his future after he was charged with failing to declare his assets to the anti-graft agency on Monday (Jan 29). The 85-year-old, who served as finance minister twice under former prime minister Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad, appeared in a wheelchair at the Sessions Court in Kuala Lumpur, where he pleaded not guilty to the charge.

He was accused of not disclosing 71 assets, including luxury cars, properties, land, and companies, to the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) between 2018 and 2020. The charge was framed under Section 36 (2) of the MACC Act, which carries a maximum penalty of five years’ imprisonment and a fine of RM100,000 (S$28,373).
Daim, who was just discharged from hospital, claimed that the charge was politically motivated and that he had declared his assets to the Inland Revenue Board. He also criticised Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim, whom he called “a wolf in sheep’s clothing”, for abusing government institutions to persecute his political opponents. He cited the case of Deputy Prime Minister Ahmad Zahid Hamidi, who had 47 corruption charges dropped against him last year, as an example of selective prosecution.
“I am not too bothered about my fate now. Let Anwar throw everything at me. But I fear for the fate of my country,” Daim told reporters after the court hearing.
Daim and Mahathir are among several Malaysians who were named in the Pandora Papers, a massive leak of financial records that revealed offshore assets held by politicians and public figures worldwide. The MACC has also asked Mahathir’s sons, Mirzan and Mokhzani, to declare their assets. Mahathir, who was Malaysia’s longest-serving leader, has denied any wrongdoing and said that Anwar was trying to implicate him in the corruption probe.
Death and Legacy

Mahani Zainuddin passed away on January 22, 2023, at the age of 66. The cause of death was not disclosed, but it was reported that she had been ill for some time. She was buried at the Bukit Kiara Muslim cemetery, after a funeral service at the Masjid Kampung Baru. Her husband, children, and grandchildren were present, along with many dignitaries, friends, and relatives. She received condolences from the King, the Queen, the Prime Minister, and other prominent figures.
Mahani left behind a legacy of love, service, and excellence. She was a role model for many women, who admired her achievements, values, and character. She was a pillar of strength for her husband, who credited her for his success and happiness. She was a source of joy for her children, who cherished her guidance and care. She was a blessing for many people, who benefited from her generosity and kindness. She will be remembered as a remarkable woman, who lived a meaningful and inspiring life.
Net Worth
Year | Net worth (USD) |
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2023 | 2.18 million (Estimated) |