Iron ladies

From left to right: Mrs Cecilia Tan (married to Dr Tan Cheng Bock), Madam Mary Chee (married to Dr Tony Tan), Mrs Vivian Tan (married to Mr Tan Kin Lian) and Madam Patricia Khoo (married to Mr Tan Jee Say). PHOTOS: Jonathan Choo, Choo Chwee Hua, Benjamin Seetor

In the lead up to polling day next week, some of the presidential candidates' wives opened up to The New Paper on issues close to their heart, and the men in their lives.

Some, like Mrs Cecilia Tan - Dr Tan Cheng Bock's wife of 42 years - had never given a media interview before, while Dr Tony Tan's wife, Madam Mary Chee Bee Kiang, preferred to remain private.

Madam Patricia Khoo, ever-smiling at her husband Mr Tan Jee Say's side, shared her advice for Singapore mums, while Mr Tan Kin Lian's wife, Mrs Vivian Tan, talked about the couple's shared love for singing.