learnt that her son had become the president of Singapore. Just two weeks before she died, she said "God has blessed Bennie especially after the way he looked after us and me." According to a medical assistant of his, Sheares had possibly donated his entire salary as president to charity. Sheares served three terms as president from 2 January 1971 until 12 May 1981. He originally wanted to retire after finishing his second term as he felt that he did not have the energy for another term, but Prime Minister Lee Kuan Yew persuaded him and Sheares, aged 70 then, took on his third term as president. Sheares held the office until his death in 1981. Devan Nair succeeded him as president. Notable contributions During his time as Head of Obstetrics and Gynaecology at Kandang Kerbau Hospital (now KK Women's and Children's Hospital) during the Japanese occupation, Sheares pioneered the lower Caesarian section which resulted in a lower mortality and morbidity rate in pregnant women than the upper Caesarian section. The method is currently the most common Caesarian section method used today. Another one of Sheares' main contributions to medicine was a technique to create an artificial vagina for those born without one. A modification of it is still used for sex change operations today. Death and legacy Sheares was found to have tumors in his lung in November 1980 while serving his third term as president. He slipped into a coma on 8 May 1981 and died four days later on the 12th of that month. He was buried at Kranji State Cemetery. The Benjamin Sheares Bridge, Sheares Avenue and Sheares Link are named after him. In academia, the student's residence Sheares Hall at the National University of Singapore, Benjamin Henry Sheares Professorship in Obstetrics & Gynaecology, Benjamin Sheares Professorship in Academic Medicine, and the Benjamin Sheares College at the Duke–NUS Graduate Medical School are all named after him. See also President of Singapore Benjamin Sheares Bridge References Bibliography 1907 births 1981 deaths Singaporean gynaecologists Honorary Knights Grand Cross of the Order of the Bath Presidents of Singapore Raffles Institution alumni Singaporean Protestants Saint Andrew's School, Singapore alumni Academic staff of the National University of Singapore Singaporean Christians Singaporean people of Chinese descent Singaporean people of English descent Singaporean people of British descent Singaporean people of Spanish descent