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Wendy Jacobs

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Wendy Jacobs is married to Singaporean footballer, Fandi Ahmad. A former model, Wendy was born in South Africa before pursuing a starting a family in Singapore. As of 2019, she has 5 children with Fandi Ahmad.

Wendy Jacobs
Wendy Jacobs.jpg
Born1974
South Africa
Alma materPlumstead High School, Immaculata High School
Spouse(s)Fandi Ahmad (m. 1996)
ChildrenIrfan Fandi (b. 1997), Ikhsan Fandi (b. 1999), Iman Fandi (b. 2000), Ilhan Fandi (b. 2003), Iryan Fandi (b. 2006)

Background

Early life

Wendy was born in Cape Town, South Africa[1] to Frederick Jacobs, a Human Resource Director, and Charmaine Jacobs, a homemaker. The second eldest of 5 children,[2] Wendy has 4 sisters - Natasha, Tracy, Karin and Lana.[3][4][5] Wendy is reportedly very close to her family, having been raised with family values like “respecting your elders” and actively saving money “for the future”.[6] Growing up, Wendy also had a strict 12 o’clock curfew.[7]


In 1995, Wendy moved to Singapore with her family following her father’s job posting.[8] Her family eventually returned to Cape Town but Wendy chose to return to Singapore as she had work offers.[9]

Education

As a student, Wendy was active in sports and had good grades.[10] She reportedly represented her school in track and field (sprinting).[11] Her best friend, Niki, described her as someone who “plays all kinds of sports except soccer and goes to the gym often”.[12]


In South Africa, Wendy studied at Plumstead High School and Immaculata High School[13] In Singapore, Wendy pursued a Diploma in Marketing.[14]

Marriage to Fandi Ahmad (1996 - )

 
Fandi and Wendy pictured in 1995. Photo from My Reading Room.

Wendy Jacobs and Fandi Ahmad first met at the wedding reception of their mutual friend, Wee Khim. Although Wee Khim told Fandi to “forget it',' Fandi asked to be introduced and “pursued her doggedly”.[15] They made it a point to go for movies every weekend and Wendy would attend Fandi’s training session while keeping a low profile.[16]

Conversion to Islam

Before marrying Fandi, Wendy announced her decision to convert to Islam. She religiously attended Islamic classes at the Muslim Converts’ Association.[17] She then attended a 14-week religious course at Darul Arqam in Holland Road.[18]

Upon her conversion to Islam in October 1996, she adopted the name “Nur Sarah Abdullah”, which means “bright light”.[19][20]

Wedding celebrations

On 6 December 1996, Wendy and Fandi were married. They held the akad nikah (an Islamic marriage solemnisation ceremony) at Fandi’s semi-detached house in Yio Chu Kang[21] and hosted their wedding dinner at the Hyatt Regency Hotel.[22] The couple held their wedding reception at a football pitch in Yishun with more than 10,000 well-wishers in attendance. The event had been jokingly referred to as “a steam bath”, hinting at the crowd that came to celebrate Fandi’s marriage.[23] Wendy and Fandi had their honeymoon at Disneyland, as Fandi mentioned that Wendy had not been there before.[24]

Family life

 
Wendy Jacobs, Fandi Ahmad and their children pictured in 2018. Photo from Brand Insider.

Wendy has mentioned that she was “the more aggressive one in her union with Fandi”, as Fandi “just cannot say no sometimes”.[25] Both Wendy and Fandi wanted to have a large family. They mentioned once that they preferred to have a “noisy family” as it meant “having more variety in the household”.[26] As of 2019, the couple have 5 children - Irfan, 22; Ikhsan, 20; Iman, 19; Ilhan, 16 and Iryan, 13.

Public attention

 
Wendy Jacobs pictured with Fandi Ahmad and her two oldest sons (Irfan and Ikhsan) in 2003 when she won the Mrs Singapore pageant.

Due to her celebrity status as Fandi Ahmad's wife, Wendy Jacobs was the subject of public scrutiny during the early years of their marriage. This public attention led to several newsworthy incidents.

Criticism over lingerie advertisement (1996)

In 1996, Wendy had modelled in a bra and panties for a Tangs Department Store lingerie advertisement. The ad was published in a two-page spread on The New Paper on 1 February 1996.[27] The advertisement drew criticism as the ad was published just after Wendy announced her conversion to Islam. Critics claimed that Wendy did not adhere to the Islamic teaching of modest dressing for women.[28] The ad had also been published during Ramadhan, the fasting month when Muslims are encouraged to “have a pure mind”.[29]


Wendy’s modelling agency at the time (Bess Models and Talent Management) released a statement mentioning that Wendy had refused to do any future lingerie ads.[30] They also clarified that the photoshoot occurred months ago before Wendy announced her conversion to Islam. A representative of Tangs Department Store mentioned that Wendy was chosen for her physical attributes.[31]

"Selling" Irfan Fandi's birth story (1997)

In 1997, Wendy and Fandi signed an exclusive agreement with a parenting magazine after Irfan, their first son, was born. This agreement meant that the couple could not entertain requests for photographs or interviews by other media outlets. Moreover, Today’s Parents sold Wendy’s pre-delivery pictures for $50 each. This agreement was said to have contributed a five-figure sum into Irfan’s university fund.[32]


The couple drew flak from the media[33] and Fandi’s fans.[34] His fans had reportedly called The New Paper’s HotlinePlus, claiming that they felt “betrayed”.[35] Many people levelled the blame on Wendy, saying that “it’s his wife lah. Fandi won’t do such a thing - must be his wife’s idea”.[36]

"Black magic" woman

Wendy has been cited as an “evil witch who controls Fandi’s every move”.[37] Many people also thought that Wendy wants to get Fandi out of soccer or out of Singapore.[38] In response to these allegations, Wendy claimed that if she were a witch she “would not [have allowed Fandi to] be involved in soccer anymore”.[39]

Health issues

Epileptic seizures

In 2008, Wendy took a bad fall in the bathroom of their Jakarta home. This caused her to lose her sight and mobility on the right side of her body. She also suffered epileptic seizures. After that incident, she was admitted and transferred to 3 hospitals in 3 months. However, Indonesian doctors could not diagnose her illness.[40] In November 2008, she was discharged from the hospital and returned home.


In February 2009, Wendy suffered a cardiac arrest and was rushed to the hospital in Jakarta. She was then flown back to Singapore via a private SOS plane where she was placed in an induced coma. In Singapore, she was admitted into the Intensive Care Unit at Gleneagles Hospital.[41]


In May 2009, she slowly regained mobility and the ability to talk. After she was discharged, she recuperated at family friend and former Singaporean footballer R. Sasikumar’s place. She then went back to Jakarta to be with Fandi and her children.[42] It reportedly took her 6 months to be able to talk to her children and carry out basic tasks such as walking and showering, and even driving.[43]


In a 2013 interview, Wendy revealed that although has gradually recovered, she still suffered occasionally seizures and took 10 tablets of medication a day.[44]

Brain tumour

In July 2013, Wendy underwent surgery to remove a benign brain tumour the size of a 50-cent coin. Less than two weeks after the surgery, she refused morphine and insisted to be discharged.[45]

Personal advocacy

Spokesperson for Erectile Dysfunction (2006)

In 2006, Wendy and Fandi were announced as the spokespersons for “Thumb Campaign”, Bayer Healthcare’s awareness campaign for erectile dysfunction.[46] The campaign encouraged patients to use their thumbs to signal their sex woes to their doctors, to help Singaporeans open up about this once-taboo subject.[47]

Unforgettable - Charity fashion show (2005)

Wendy modelled the creation of 1 of 4 Indian fashion designers for Unforgettable, an event organised by Tanglin Cairnhill Citizens’ Consultative Committee (CCC).[48] The event raised funds for the Tanglin Cairnhill Citizens’ Consultative Committee (CCC) Welfare and Education Fund benefiting the needy living in the Tanglin and Cairnhill areas.[49] These areas include the housing estates at Bukit Merah and Henderson.

Farah Khan's fundraiser (2002)

Wendy participated as a bartender and mixed cocktails at the charity fundraiser.[50] Farah Khan was a Singapore-born fashion entrepreneur who had organised a series of fundraisers benefiting the United Nations Development Fund. The fund helped those who suffered from the 2002 Bali Bombings.[51]

Mrs Singapore (2003)

Wendy participated in the Mrs Singapore beauty pageant in 2003. When asked why she had wanted to participate, Wendy mentioned that there are “many issues” she wanted to shed light on like “family issues, about being a woman”.[52] Wendy shared her frustrations about a project that she wanted to initiate - reading books to children in hospitals. She said that this project had been slowed down due to red tape. She hoped that by winning Mrs Singapore, the process of doing charity would be easier.[53]


Wendy went on to win the title of Mrs Singapore in 2003.[54] She also won the title of Mrs Body Beautiful.[55] Wendy was subsequently a member of the panel for Miss Universe Singapore 2015[56] and 2016.[57]

Modelling

 
Wendy Jacobs pictured in NewMan magazine. Photo from SM Ong.

Wendy took a break from the catwalk between 2005 and 2012 following her fifth pregnancy[58] and her subsequent illness in 2008.

Early career

Wendy started modelling at 13 years old[59] and used to be a catalogue model with The Modelling Company in Cape Town.[60][61] A photographer who worked with her mentioned that she is a “good model”, for she “comes [for shoots] on time and is professional”.[62]

Breakthrough in Southeast Asia (1995)

Wendy’s work in Southeast Asia started when she first came to Singapore in 1995.[63] She did “fashion shows, editorial and magazine work in Thailand, Malaysia, Indonesia and Singapore”.[64] In 1995, she did work for Robinsons, John Little and modelled lingerie for St. Michael.[65] She also appeared as a bride in the April 1995 issue of Her World.[65] Wendy eventually became a household name and a familiar face, often appearing in advertisements and magazine covers.[66]


In 1996, Wendy launched Seri Pengantin, the Malay Bridal Exhibition and Fashion Show Extravaganza, showcasing elaborately-designed Malay wedding outfits. In 2001 and 2003, Wendy modelled for Changi Airport’s Terminal 2 Changi Fashion Festival.[67][68]

References / Citations

  1. ↑ Seah, Lionel. “'Fandi's sexier than Beckham'.” The Straits Times. July 13, 2003. Accessed November 25, 2019. Retrieved from NewspaperSG.
  2. ↑ Siti Rohanah Koid. “Wendy’s family happy.” The New Paper. August 18, 1995. Accessed November 27, 2019. Retrieved from NewspaperSG.
  3. ↑ Leong, Carol. “Asking her dad.” The New Paper. December 07, 1996. Accessed November 25, 2019. Retrieved from NewspaperSG.
  4. ↑ Loong, Susan. “No tai-tai despite big bucks - WENDY JACOBS.” The Straits Times. June 28, 1998. Accessed November 25, 2019. Retrieved from NewspaperSG.
  5. ↑ Tuminah Sapawi. “Fandi keeps his December date… and takes a bride.” The Straits Times. December 06, 1996. Accessed November 26, 2019. Retrieved from NewspaperSG.
  6. ↑ Loong, Susan. “No tai-tai despite big bucks - WENDY JACOBS.” The Straits Times. June 28, 1998. Accessed November 25, 2019. Retrieved from NewspaperSG.
  7. ↑ Loong, Susan. “No tai-tai despite big bucks - WENDY JACOBS.” The Straits Times. June 28, 1998. Accessed November 25, 2019. Retrieved from NewspaperSG.
  8. ↑ Seah, Lionel. “'Fandi's sexier than Beckham'.” The Straits Times. July 13, 2003. Accessed November 25, 2019. Retrieved from NewspaperSG.
  9. ↑ Shantheni, C and Seow Su Kian. “Wendy: I’m homely and emotional.” The New Paper. August 17, 1995. Accessed November 27, 2019. Retrieved from NewspaperSG.
  10. ↑ Siti Rohanah Koid. “Wendy’s family happy.” The New Paper. August 18, 1995. Accessed November 27, 2019. Retrieved from NewspaperSG.
  11. ↑ Lee, David. “My biggest fear? Leaving Fandi with 5 kids: Wendy Jacobs.” The New Paper. February 13, 2013. Accessed November 25, 2019.
  12. ↑ Siti Rohanah Koid. “Wendy’s family happy.” The New Paper. August 18, 1995. Accessed November 27, 2019. Retrieved from NewspaperSG.
  13. ↑ “Wendy Sarah Jacobs.” Facebook. Accessed November 25, 2019.
  14. ↑ Shantheni, C and Seow Su Kian. “Wendy: I’m homely and emotional.” The New Paper. August 17, 1995. Accessed November 27, 2019. Retrieved from NewspaperSG.
  15. ↑ Gulam, S. “Chasing Fandi’s girl.” The New Paper. January 03, 1996. Accessed November 27, 2019. Retrieved from NewspaperSG.
  16. ↑ Gulam, S. “Chasing Fandi’s girl.” The New Paper. January 03, 1996. Accessed November 27, 2019. Retrieved from NewspaperSG.
  17. ↑ Davie, Sandra. “Wendy’s lingerie ad raises eyebrows.” The New Paper. February 03, 1996. Accessed November 27, 2019. Retrieved from NewspaperSG.
  18. ↑ “Wife-to-be Wendy is now Nur Sarah.” The New Paper. October 19, 1996. Accessed November 25, 2019. Retrieved from NewspaperSG.
  19. ↑ Loong, Susan. “No tai-tai despite big bucks - WENDY JACOBS.” The Straits Times. June 28, 1998. Accessed November 25, 2019. Retrieved from NewspaperSG.
  20. ↑ “Wife-to-be Wendy is now Nur Sarah.” The New Paper. October 19, 1996. Accessed November 25, 2019. Retrieved from NewspaperSG.
  21. ↑ Luis, Ernest. “Fandi scores!” The New Paper. December 06, 1996. Accessed November 27, 2019. Retrieved from NewspaperSG.
  22. ↑ Leong, Carol. “Listen - Father’s advice.” The New Paper. December 07, 1996. Accessed November 27, 2019. Retrieved from NewspaperSG.
  23. ↑ Leong. Carol. “What's all the fuss about, I thought at first. Now, I know why…” The New Paper. December 09, 1996. Accessed November 27, 2019. Retrieved from NewspaperSG.
  24. ↑ Loong, Susan. “No tai-tai despite big bucks - WENDY JACOBS.” The Straits Times. June 28, 1998. Accessed November 25, 2019. Retrieved from NewspaperSG.
  25. ↑ “Fandi and Wendy.” The Straits Times. April 30, 2000. Accessed November 28, 2019. Retrieved from NewspaperSG.
  26. ↑ Tan, Shrz, Ee. “All in the family.” The Straits Times. September 11, 2001. Accessed November 25, 2019. Retrieved from NewspaperSG.
  27. ↑ Davie, Sandra. “Wendy’s lingerie ad raises eyebrows.” The New Paper. February 03, 1996. Accessed November 27, 2019. Retrieved from NewspaperSG.
  28. ↑ Davie, Sandra. “Wendy’s lingerie ad raises eyebrows.” The New Paper. February 03, 1996. Accessed November 27, 2019. Retrieved from NewspaperSG.
  29. ↑ Davie, Sandra. “Wendy’s lingerie ad raises eyebrows.” The New Paper. February 03, 1996. Accessed November 27, 2019. Retrieved from NewspaperSG.
  30. ↑ Davie, Sandra. “Wendy’s lingerie ad raises eyebrows.” The New Paper. February 03, 1996. Accessed November 27, 2019. Retrieved from NewspaperSG.
  31. ↑ Davie, Sandra. “Wendy’s lingerie ad raises eyebrows.” The New Paper. February 03, 1996. Accessed November 27, 2019. Retrieved from NewspaperSG.
  32. ↑ George, Cherian. “Excuse me, was I a shock?” The Straits Times. December 23, 1999. Accessed November 28, 2019. Retrieved from NewspaperSG.
  33. ↑ Robert, Godfrey. “This is no occasion for a mercenary approach, Fandi.” The Straits Times. August 15, 1997. Accessed November 27, 2019. Retrieved from NewspaperSG.
  34. ↑ “Controversy.” The New Paper. September 15, 1997. Accessed November 27, 2019. Retrieved from NewspaperSG.
  35. ↑ “Controversy.” The New Paper. September 15, 1997. Accessed November 27, 2019. Retrieved from NewspaperSG.
  36. ↑ Lo, Elaine. “Hello! The wife matters too.” The New Paper. April 25, 1999. Accessed November 28, 2019. Retrieved from NewspaperSG.
  37. ↑ “Not a black magic woman.” The New Paper. April 30, 2000. Accessed November 28, 2019. Retrieved from NewspaperSG.
  38. ↑ “Fandi and Wendy.” The Straits Times. April 30, 2000. Accessed November 28, 2019. Retrieved from NewspaperSG.
  39. ↑ “Fandi and Wendy.” The Straits Times. April 30, 2000. Accessed November 28, 2019. Retrieved from NewspaperSG.
  40. ↑ “4 years of memories erased: Wendy Jacobs on life after mystery illness”. AsiaOne. July 21, 2013. Accessed November 25, 2019.
  41. ↑ “4 years of memories erased: Wendy Jacobs on life after mystery illness”. AsiaOne. July 21, 2013. Accessed November 25, 2019.
  42. ↑ “4 years of memories erased: Wendy Jacobs on life after mystery illness”. AsiaOne. July 21, 2013. Accessed November 25, 2019.
  43. ↑ Lee, David. “My biggest fear? Leaving Fandi with 5 kids: Wendy Jacobs”. The New Paper. February 13, 2013. Accessed November 25, 2019.
  44. ↑ Lee, David. “My biggest fear? Leaving Fandi with 5 kids: Wendy Jacobs”. The New Paper. February 13, 2013. Accessed November 25, 2019.
  45. ↑ Lee, David. “My biggest fear? Leaving Fandi with 5 kids: Wendy Jacobs”. The New Paper. February 13, 2013. Accessed November 25, 2019.
  46. ↑ Chen, Celine and David Lee. “I want to be a ROLE MODEL rather than a fashion model.” The New Paper. May 15, 2013. Accessed November 28, 2019. Retrieved from NewspaperSG.
  47. ↑ Chen, Celine and David Lee. “I want to be a ROLE MODEL rather than a fashion model.” The New Paper. May 15, 2013. Accessed November 28, 2019. Retrieved from NewspaperSG.
  48. ↑ Boey, Dylan. “It will be Unforgettable.” The Straits Times. May 20, 2005. Accessed November 28, 2019. Retrieved from NewspaperSG.
  49. ↑ Boey, Dylan. “It will be Unforgettable.” The Straits Times. May 20, 2005. Accessed November 28, 2019. Retrieved from NewspaperSG.
  50. ↑ “Fund-raiser for Bali to be held at a pub.” The Straits Times. February 11, 2003. Accessed November 26, 2019. Retrieved from NewspaperSG.
  51. ↑ “Fund-raiser for Bali to be held at a pub.” The Straits Times. February 11, 2003. Accessed November 26, 2019. Retrieved from NewspaperSG.
  52. ↑ Teo, Wendy. “Won’t it be malu if you lose?” The New Paper. May 05, 2003. Accessed November 28, 2019. Retrieved from NewspaperSG.
  53. ↑ Teo, Wendy. “Won’t it be malu if you lose?” The New Paper. May 05, 2003. Accessed November 28, 2019. Retrieved from NewspaperSG.
  54. ↑ “What a stunner.” The Straits Times. July 08, 2003. Accessed November 28, 2019. Retrieved from NewspaperSG.
  55. ↑ Seah, Lionel. “'Fandi's sexier than Beckham'.” The Straits Times. July 13, 2003. Accessed November 25, 2019. Retrieved from NewspaperSG.
  56. ↑ Noor Ashikin Abdul Rahman. “No pageant, but still a winner.” The New Paper. September 26, 2015. Accessed November 28, 2019. Retrieved from NewspaperSG.
  57. ↑ Meah, Natasha. “Grooming Miss Universe Singapore.” The New Paper. July 19, 2016. Accessed November 28, 2019. Retrieved from NewspaperSG.
  58. ↑ Chen, Celine and David Lee. “I want to be a ROLE MODEL rather than a fashion model.” The New Paper. May 15, 2013. Accessed November 28, 2019. Retrieved from NewspaperSG.
  59. ↑ Seah, Lionel. “'Fandi's sexier than Beckham'.” The Straits Times. July 13, 2003. Accessed November 25, 2019. Retrieved from NewspaperSG.
  60. ↑ Loong, Susan. “No tai-tai despite big bucks - WENDY JACOBS.” The Straits Times. June 28, 1998. Accessed November 25, 2019. Retrieved from NewspaperSG.
  61. ↑ Siti Rohanah Koid. “Wendy’s family happy.” The New Paper. August 18, 1995. Accessed November 27, 2019. Retrieved from NewspaperSG.
  62. ↑ Shantheni, C and Seow Su Kian. “Wendy: I’m homely and emotional.” The New Paper. August 17, 1995. Accessed November 27, 2019. Retrieved from NewspaperSG.
  63. ↑ Ee Wen Wei, Jamie. “Wendy Jacobs may leave hospital this week.” The New Paper. March 01, 2009. Accessed November 28, 2019. Retrieved from NewspaperSG.
  64. ↑ Shantheni, C and Seow Su Kian. “Wendy: I’m homely and emotional.” The New Paper. August 17, 1995. Accessed November 27, 2019. Retrieved from NewspaperSG.
  65. ↑ 65.0 65.1 Shantheni, C and Seow Su Kian. “Wendy: I’m homely and emotional.” The New Paper. August 17, 1995. Accessed November 27, 2019. Retrieved from NewspaperSG.
  66. ↑ Chen, Celine and David Lee. “I want to be a ROLE MODEL rather than a fashion model.” The New Paper. May 15, 2013. Accessed November 28, 2019. Retrieved from NewspaperSG.
  67. ↑ Ong, Cat. “Fashion haven now at Changi.” The Straits Times. March 17, 2001. Accessed November 26, 2019. Retrieved from NewspaperSG.
  68. ↑ Chiam, Camilla. “Ooh, La La Perla. The Straits Times. March 28, 2003. Accessed November 26, 2019. Retrieved from NewspaperSG.
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