Guntur Sukarnoputra

Indonesian businessman and photographer, an imposing figure on the Indonesian cultural landscape. From a noted family, Gunter was the eldest born son of Achmed Sukarno, Indonesia's first president and Fatmawati, his second wife. Sukarno was 43, beginning fatherhood late and elated by the arrival of his "precious son" who was delivered as he held Fatmawati's hand. Guntur's personal name means "thunder" while his last name means "son of Sukarno." Raised in palatial opulence and inheriting his father's good looks, the young man studied electricity and city planning at the Bandung Institute before entering his business life. He is married to Heni (or Henny) Emilia Hendayani. In his autobiography, Sukarno wrote of his hope that his son "never becomes President. It is too hard a life." Guntur seems to have preferred the easy life and has not broken his father's wish. In 2001 his sister Megawati ascended to the presidency but Guntur seems at least on the outside to have no such political aims, preferring to observe and photograph his culture.