Mooryati Soedibyo

Mooryati Soedibyo
Official portrait, 2004
Deputy Speaker of the People's Consultative Assembly
In office
1 October 2004 – 1 October 2009
PresidentMegawati Soekarnoputri
Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono
SpeakerHidayat Nur Wahid
Personal details
Born(1928-01-05)5 January 1928
Surakarta, Dutch East Indies
Died24 April 2024(2024-04-24) (aged 96)
Jakarta, Indonesia
NationalityIndonesian
Spouse
Soedibyo Purbo Hadiningrat
​
​
(m. 1956⁠–⁠1998)​
Children5, including Putri Kuswisnu Wardani
Parents
  • K.R.M.T.A. Poernomo Hadiningrat (father)
  • G.R.A. Kussalbiyah (mother)
Alma mater
Occupation

The Royal Highest Princess Mooryati Soedibyo of Surakarta Sunanate (5 January 1928 – 24 April 2024) was an Indonesian politician and businessperson who is a member of the Surakarta Sunanate royal family. She was president director of Mustika Ratu, Deputy Speaker of the People's Consultative Assembly from 2004–2009, and the national director for Puteri Indonesia, which sends contestants to Miss Charm, Miss International and Miss Supranational.[1] In 2007, She's also ranked number 7 on the list of the 99 most influential women in Indonesia by the Globe Asia magazine.[2] Mooryati Soedibyo was recorded by the Indonesian World Records Museum as the winner of the oldest doctorate in Indonesia, and as "Empu Jamu".[3][4]

Personal life

Soedibyo (left) with President Joko Widodo (right) at Bogor Presidential Palace, March 2019.

A member of a Javanese royal family, she was born in Surakarta, Central Java and grew up in the palace of Surakarta Sunanate. She learned about herbal medicine and traditional Javanese cosmetics from her grandmother; the traditional knowledge preserved by the royal family is considered to be superior to that known by the common people.[5] Soedibyo received a bachelor's degree in English literature from the Indonesia Open University, a master's degree in English literature from the Sebelas Maret University and a PhD in strategic management from the School of Economics at the University of Indonesia.[6] In 1956, she married Soedibyo Purbo Hadiningrat.[5]

The granddaughter of Pakubuwana X, she received a traditional education at the palace that emphasised manners, classical dance, karawitan, batik, knowing nutritious plants, concocting herbs, and traditional cosmetics from natural ingredients, Javanese literary language, traditional songs, Kawi script, and other arts.[7]

Soedibyo founded the cosmetics company Mustika Ratu in 1975.[8] The company also operates its own spa resorts.[5] In 2002, she was named Entrepreneur of the Year by Ernst & Young Indonesia.[6]

Soedibyo served as a member of the Regional Representative Council and as a member[9] and vice chairperson of the People's Consultative Assembly.[10]

In 1990, Soedibyo acquired the licence for the Puteri Indonesia beauty pageant and established herself as the national director.[10]

In 2016, she published an autobiography Menerobos Tradisi Memasuki Dunia Baru, The Untold Story.[11]

Soedibyo died on 24 April 2024, at the age of 96.[12]

References

  1. ^ "Mooryati Soedibyo: Saya Tidak Pernah Menyerah". Indosiar. 2 June 2007. Retrieved 2 June 2007.
  2. ^ "Megawati Sukarnoputri tops GlobeAsia's List of 99 Most Powerful Women". GlobeAsia Magazine. 25 December 2007. Retrieved 25 December 2007.
  3. ^ Sartono, Frans (11 January 2008). "Mooryati, dari Jamu ke Politik". Kompas. Retrieved 11 January 2008.
  4. ^ "Mooryati Soedibyo Raih Penghargaan Empu Jamu dari MURI" (in Indonesian). Kompas. 12 May 2008. Retrieved 12 May 2008.
  5. ^ a b c van Dijk, C; Taylor, J Gelman (2011). Cleanliness and Culture: Indonesian Histories. p. 181. ISBN 978-9004253612.
  6. ^ a b "Mooryati Soedibyo". Indonesia Tatler.
  7. ^ Widiyati, E. (18 September 2007). "Wawancara dengan Ibu Dr. BRA Mooryati Soedibyo". Kabar Indonesia. Retrieved 18 September 2007.
  8. ^ Antons, Christoph (2009). Traditional Knowledge, Traditional Cultural Expressions, and Intellectual Property Law in the Asia-Pacific Region. p. 374. ISBN 978-9041127211.
  9. ^ Bennett, Linda Rae; Davies, Sharyn Graham (2014). Sex and Sexualities in Contemporary Indonesia: Sexual Politics, Health, Diversity and Representations. p. 41. ISBN 978-1317910961.
  10. ^ a b 100 Great Women-suara Perempuan Yang Menginspirasi Dunia (in Indonesian). Jogja Bangkit Publisher. 2009. p. 102. ISBN 978-6028620284.
  11. ^ "Mooryati Soedibyo Launches New Book". Indonesia Tatler. 26 April 2016.
  12. ^ "Mooryati Soedibyo, Founder of Indonesia's Beauty Company Mustika Ratu, Passes Away at 96". Tempo. 24 April 2024. Retrieved 24 April 2024.