Dora Marie Sigar

Sigar was born on 21 September 1921 in Langowan, Minahasa Regency, as the daughter of Philip Frederik Laurens Sigar (1885–1946), a government official and member of Volksraad, and Cornelie Emilia Maengkom (1888–1946). They both came from bureaucratic family. Sigar was of Minahasan and German descent.^[1][2][3]

At the age of 12, Sigar moved to the Netherlands to continue her education at the Christelijk Hogere Burgerschool in Utrecht. She already showed her intelligence at a young age. There, she studied post-surgical nursing and became active in student activities advocating for Indonesian rights, shaping her outlook as an educated and dedicated woman.^[1][2]

Sigar met with Sumitro Djojohadikusumo, an economist, during a meeting organized by the Indonesia Christen Jongeren (lit. 'Indonesian Christian Students') in 1945. He then became her patient after undergoing colon surgery due to tumor. In 1946, Sumitro returned to Indonesia, and Sigar followed a year later. They married on 7 January 1945 and had four children.^[2][3] After she had returned to Indonesia, Sigar became a homemaker and focused on her family, supporting her husband's career as an economist and political figure. When Sumitro served in the cabinet, Sigar became the backbone of the family, especially when her husband became a fugitive due to alleged political and economic cases.^[1]