The passing of my grandfather left an indelible mark on me, one I have yet to fully move on from. As the last grandparent I had, his departure brought with it deep reflections about life’s true essence. What is there beyond the pursuit of work? How do we lead a life that is truly fulfilled?
In reflecting on Eyang’s journey, I am certain that he lived a life of completeness. Until his very last breath, he poured his heart into every moment, leaving little room for regret. It feels as though he lived many lives within one—exceptional engineer, devoted statesman, loving husband, father, and grandfather. His life was not just lived; it was lived with intention, driven by intellectual curiosity, moral grounding, and emotional depth. What made him extraordinary was not just his achievements, but his authenticity. He was both remarkable and profoundly human, and that’s what drew people to him—he was real.
When I think about this house, I’m reminded not just of his public triumphs, but of the countless intimate, seemingly ordinary moments shared within these walls. Moments where his values—shaped by wisdom, humility, and love—were passed down to us, sometimes over a simple meal, other times in between watching movie scenes together. These were not mere lessons but lived philosophies—truths shared by my grandfather and grandmother, reinforced by their actions more than their words.
One of his enduring qualities was his gratitude. He never failed to acknowledge the people who helped him along the way—his mother, who, after the death of her husband, singlehandedly raised eight children; his wife, who left behind her own career and comfort in Indonesia to support his dreams; and President Soeharto, the mentor who nurtured his journey in the government. He understood deeply that his success was built on the hard work of many others, that he stood on the shoulders of so many people.
This profound sense of thankfulness shaped his legacy of giving—giving to his family, to his country, and to the world. He gave generously, sometimes at great personal cost, but to him, the intent was always what mattered most. Not all his ventures bore fruit, but the ones that did left an impact beyond measure—a reminder that love, hard work, and integrity are what carry us forward.
For Eyang, the true treasures were never material. They were the values he lived by, the ideals he cherished, and the family bonds he held dear. And in this house, those treasures remain. This house is much more than the official presidential estate of B. J. and Ainun Habibie; it is also a sanctuary of the ideals and philosophies that the Habibies hold dear. There is so much here that we can share—so many values and beliefs that shaped his remarkable life.
In line with this feeling of gratitude, my family and I too would like to thank him and Eyang Ainun for shaping us into the people we are today. We would not be here if it weren’t for them. We hope this house will stand for centuries, a testament to the values my grandparents lived by that can help remind people of Indonesia and the world that the pursuit of excellence and humanism are not two different paths, but one that merge to fortify one another. And because of that, we would like to open this house to guests, inviting them to absorb and spread these ideals, so that the legacy lives on and helps craft the next leaders of Indonesia and the world. This house is a place where guests can return to, to remember their roots and values—values that are unique to Indonesia, yet resonate with the world. Here, they can reflect on what it means to be human, to live a life that is full and meaningful, and one that goes beyond the pursuit of material wealth.
Rest in love, Eyang Habibie & Ainun. We hope you’re proud of what Wisma Habibie & Ainun stays to be and what it will evolve to do, in memory of the both of you.
With love,
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Various inspiring stories of B. J. Habibie and Hasri Ainun that are rarely known to the public.
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