Soekarno's Ex-wife, Yurike Sanger Dies In California, Indonesian Ministry Of Foreign Affairs Helps Repatriation Of Bodies

JAKARTA - Yurike Sanger, the ex-wife of the first President of the Republic of Indonesia Soekarno, died at the age of 81 after undergoing medical treatment in California, United States. His body is planned to be repatriated to Indonesia.

The Director of Protection for Indonesian Citizens at the Indonesian Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Judha Nugraha, said that the Indonesian Consulate General in Los Angeles had communicated with Yurike Sanger's family after the ex-wife of the proclaimer of the Republic of Indonesia died on Wednesday, September 17 local time.

"The Indonesian Consulate General in Los Angeles will assist in the process of returning the bodies to Indonesia, coordinating with the relocation of bodies and authorities in the US," Judha said in Jakarta, Antara, Friday, September 19.

Judha said the family of the deceased had previously appointed a self-repatriation party for the process. California authorities are currently processing the issuance of death certificates as one of the requirements for the release of bodies to Indonesia.

The news of Yurike Sanger's death was first conveyed by his son, Yudhi Sanger, through uploads on his personal Instagram account. He said his mother died after battling his illness.

Yurike died while undergoing treatment at San Totalio Memorial Hospital, California, on September 17, 2025 at 19.15 local time.

"The plan is to take him to the funeral home at Fatmawati Hospital," Yudhi wrote regarding the return of his mother's body. However, he has not detailed the time when the body arrived in Indonesia.

Yurike Sanger was born in 1945 in Poso, Central Sulawesi. He is known as one of President Soekarno's wives. They first met at a state event in 1963 and married in 1964. The two divorced in 1968 amid political turmoil that hit Soekarno.