Today's History, May 12, 1962: Bacharuddin Jusuf Habibie And Ainun Hasri Besari's Marriage

Bacharuddin Jusuf Habibie's wedding to Ainun Hasri Besari which was held in the Gorontalo custom at the Preanger Hotel, Bandung on May 12, 1962. (Wikimedia Commons)

JAKARTA – Today's history, 60 years ago, May 12, 1962, Bacharuddin Jusuf Habibie and Ainun Hasri Besari got married. The contract was held with Javanese culture, while the reception was only held a day after the contract using Gorontalo culture at the Preanger Hotel, Bandung. The marriage was very decisive for Habibie's career. Because Ainun has always been faithful to accompanying Habibie in joy and sorrow. From being a student in Germany, serving as the Minister of Research and Technology, to the President of Indonesia.

The seeds of Habibie and Ainun's love have grown since they were both still in school. Habibie had noticed Ainun's movements. Vice versa. The high intensity of the encounter became the estuary. Especially after they both went back to school at the same high school: Dago Christian High School, Bandung.

Both of them often become stars in class. Habibie is smart in the field of exact sciences. While Ainun is smart in all fields. This achievement makes teachers at schools often match the two. The joke that often comes out is that when the two become husband and wife, their children will be smart too.

However, that intense communication had to end. Habibie's decision to study and work in Germany was behind him. Even then, Ainun herself had decided to continue her education by studying at the Faculty of Medicine, University of Indonesia.

Bacharuddin Jusuf Habibie and Ainun Hasri Besari with their two sons and daughter-in-law. (The Asian Parent)

Love is not going anywhere. Those were the words that Habibie remembered. He who was on leave from work immediately returned to Indonesia. The two of them met again. The encounter took place in Jakarta. The pinnacle of being loved by scholars has arrived. Habibie was fascinated by Ainun's face. Shortly after, they were dating. After that, Habibie ventured to propose to Ainun.

"That's how the reunion of these people has bloomed the long-hidden feelings of love. They promise to see each other and miss each other. The night of courtship they spent so beautifully in the rickshaw with the curtains closed, even though it wasn't actually raining. The love of the two men ended with a proposal from the Habibie family. To describe how the turmoil of happiness after his proposal was accepted was described by S. Sapiie.”

"The future Prof. Dr and the former Chancellor of ITB Bandung heard Habibie's first words he met in front of the ITB campus at that time in enthusiastic Dutch. I'm getting married. S. Sapiie was shocked and jokingly asked: who is the less fortunate? In Dutch ' Wie is de ongelukkige? Habibie answered Hasri Ainun Besari," said Makmur Makka in Mr. Crack dari Pare-Pare (2018).

May 12, 1962, became their second special day. They got married. The contract took place with Javanese culture at Rangga Malela. Then, the reception was held in the Gorontalo tradition the day after the ceremony at the Preanger Hotel.

Bacharuddin Jusuf Habibie with Mrs. Ainun Hasri Besari after his inauguration as President of the Republic of Indonesia in Jakarta on May 21, 1998. (Antara)

Both are really happy. He immediately felt the joy of marriage. Moreover, Habibie and Ainun have to live in a country that incidentally is another country: Germany. They were able to overcome all the challenges. Joy and sorrow make Ainun always faithful to accompanying her husband. From being a student to the President of Indonesia in the future.

“They married on May 12, 1962, and their first son Ilham was born in 1963 in Germany, because after marriage Ainun was immediately brought to Germany. There they live in a young household, bitterly because Rudy's income as a doctoral student is still very small. Some of the income must also be set aside for savings.”

“That was a tough time for them in the early days of their marriage. When he had to go to the Netherlands, the distance from Aachen was very close, Habibie asked for help to buy a baby stroller because the prices in the Netherlands were still very cheap," said Wardiman Djodjonegoro in the book Sepanjang Jalan Kenangan (2016).

Thus, the wedding of the 3rd President of Indonesia, Bacharuddin Jusuf Habibie with Ainun Hasri Besari is in today's history.