Did you know that Fann Wong was discovered in a Her World covergirl contest in 1987?

As we celebrate 65 years of Her World, we’re looking back at some of the most memorable moments in our history. From giving Singaporean celebrities their first-ever magazine covers to honouring frontline heroes during the pandemic, our pages have chronicled six decades of style, culture, and stories that matter. 

Here are 14 fun facts you might not know.

Her World was the first English-language women’s magazine published in Singapore

From fashion to lifestyle, Her World paved the way for English-speaking women readers, bringing global trends and local stories together for the first time in Singapore’s publishing scene. It introduced Singaporean audiences to a new way of seeing the world through the lens of style, culture, and contemporary life.

Her World’s first known editor was a man

The magazine’s earliest known editorial leadership was male – Oswald Henry, an entertainment and lifestyle journalist.

Her World used to cost just 75 cents per copy

What started at just 75 cents in the 1960s – roughly $3.42 in today’s dollars – now sells for $6. That means a single copy today costs nearly twice the inflation-adjusted price of the original issue, or enough to buy eight copies at the 1965 price!

Her World’s covers and fashion spreads chronicle the evolution of style itself

Leafing through past issues, you’ll see changing fashions of each decade – from 1960s beehives to 1990s minimalism. The magazine has always been a visual time capsule of Singaporean style, featuring influential contributors such as Roland Chow, dubbed Singapore’s “Mr Dior”, and stylist Vickie Dutton.

Emergent local artists and artisans were also spotlighted

One of the pioneers of the Nanyang art movement, Georgette Chen, graced our pages in 1962 – celebrating the voices that shaped Singapore’s creative landscape

Both style and substance have always been the memo. Beyond spotlighting local design, Her World provided a platform for social impact: in the 1980s, Julie Tan, the first president of the Singapore Council of Women’s Organisations, used the magazine to advocate for women’s financial independence. 

And, in 2004, we worked with Unifem (United Nations Development Fund for Women) to highlight the problem of men going overseas for child sex – making Her World the first magazine in Singapore to tackle this weighty topic.

Her World has featured every Singaporean “queen of the screen”

From household names like Zoe Tay and Fann Wong to younger stars such as Rebecca Lim, the magazine has consistently celebrated the leading ladies of Singaporean television and film, cementing its role in spotlighting national talent.

And just as it celebrates icons, Her World has also helped discover them

Did you know Fann Wong was discovered through Her World’s Cover Girl contest in 1987 and appeared on her first magazine cover with us the following year? In that same contest, news presenter (and Her World May 2025 cover personality) Glenda Chong was named second runner-up. And did you know Zoe Tay first walked through our doors as a 15-year-old student and model?

Over the decades, Her World has given many Singaporean personalities their first cover moment – including singer-songwriter Shazza and West End actress Nathania Ong.

More recently, Jasmine Yen – daughter of actor Donnie Yen – fronted our September 2023 issue, with her father attending the photoshoot incognito.

Her World’s Woman of the Year is Singapore’s longest-running women’s award

Launched in 1991, the award has honoured everyone from business leaders to athletes to activists. Notable winners include Singapore’s first female president, Mdm Halimah Yacob in 2004, and the magazine’s first-ever WOTY recipient, Professor Chan Heng Chee in 1991.

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Another fun fact? Normally dedicated to one honouree each year, the 2020 edition made history by recognising eight frontline heroes during the COVID-19 pandemic.

The magazine captured pop culture fever

From collectible pull-out posters of global icons like The Beatles and Elvis Presley, to features on screen idols such as Hayley Mills and Jayne Mansfield, Her World has always had its finger on the pulse of what readers loved – chronicling global pop phenomena as they swept through Singapore.

Her World also became an early voice for youth and personality

Regular sections such as Small Fry, which spotlighted readers’ children, and Teen World, which tracked the fast-changing trends of youth fashion, music, and more, gave young readers a space to see themselves represented – long before youth media became mainstream.

Her World used to feature fictional romance columns.

Romance columns have long been a staple of women’s magazines, providing readers with escapism, entertainment, and a glimpse into imagined lives. These stories ranged from the risque to the reverent – covering a vast tapestry of tales, from travelling the Malayan Strait for love, to being the third woman.

Covering sex has never been a problem for Her World

We ran our first sex-help feature in 1990, to send strong signals to women that they can – and should – enjoy sex as much as the men do. 65 years on, our dedicated Sex and Relationships vertical continues to explore everything from desire and dating to empowerment and emotional connection.

Through it all, Her World has built a deep connection with everyday readers

Interactive columns such as Baby Clinic, Pen Pals Corner, and Woman-in-the-street offered advice, empathy, and camaraderie – turning Her World into more than a women’s magazine, but a trusted companion through different stages of life.

 Her World continues to tell the stories that matter.

Fun fact: our March 2025 issue featured 60 women across cover stories and features, celebrating the diversity of Singaporean women today.

From Pat Law, one of Singapore’s top female executives in advertising, to Tan Kheng Hua, the acclaimed actress, we’ve long championed the pioneers, innovators, and advocates who have shaped what it means to be a Singaporean woman.

Whether celebrating achievements, spotlighting talent, or offering advice and inspiration, Her World remains a platform for stories that resonate – connecting generations through six decades of style, culture, and meaningful storytelling.