KUALA LUMPUR, Feb 21 ― It is said that behind every successful man is a woman but in Datuk Seri Najib Razak's case, it is not one but two women.

His mother, Tun Rahah Mohammad Noah, put him on the road to success, nurturing her eldest son with values and principles that would stay with him to adulthood.

The other is his wife, Datin Seri Rosmah Mansor, who has been at his side since 1987.     

Both have played a crucial role in helping smoothen out the rough edges in the man who they hold closest to their hearts.

Rahah was only 43 when her husband and second prime minister Tun Abdul Razak Hussein died suddenly in London.

She had the arduous task of keeping the young family of five — Najib, Johari, Nizam, Nazir, and Nazim — together.

She did not set many rules, and gave them her unconditional support in all matters, always putting their needs before her own.

Najib had once said he would not have become the man he is today if not for his mother's continuous support and love.

When Najib was appointed deputy prime minister in 2004, Rahah had said during an interview her husband had hoped one of their sons would follow his footsteps and venture into politics.

She said although politics ran in her side of the family, Najib’s rise in politics was also due to his interest in the field.

She said when Razak was alive, he always took Najib and his brothers to his parliamentary constituency.

There was one occasion where Najib had complained about a particular matter and Rahah said her husband was heard saying: “When your time comes, you will also have to do it.”

Rahah said both Razak and Najib shared similar traits, including not easily accepting defeat and having a huge reservoir of patience.

“He is an obedient son and always listens to advice. It was not difficult raising him as you did not have to constantly remind him about his studies.”

Rahah said Najib would make it a point to spend time with her despite his busy schedule.

On a lighter note, she said although Najib was not naughty as a young boy, he had a knack for annoying his brother Johari, who would never fight back.

The second woman in Najib's life has never left his side since she married him.

The Negri Sembilan-born Rosmah was a business development manager at Island and Peninsular Berhad when she married Najib.

The Master's degree holder in Sociology and Agriculture left her job to become a full-time politician's wife, taking on public roles to support Najib's rise in politics.

When Najib was appointed prime minister, Rosmah was asked about her feelings on being his wife, to which she replied she was more enthusiastic about talking about her husband and children  Mohd Nor Ashman and Nooryana Najwa.

Rosmah had also said she admired her husband as a man who was calm and composed, with a positive and focused outlook.

“He does not lash out if he's angry. Instead, he would keep to himself but his face and ears would turn red. Of course, if he gives you that look, then something is wrong.”

She said her husband's role and responsibilities to the nation often meant he did not have much time for her.

“Whenever he is free, he would call to ask how am I doing. We talk so much over the phone that close friends often dub us young lovers as we are always on the phone with each other.”

She also said she regarded Najib as her best friend.

“Not many know Najib is a funny man. We like to exchange jokes,” she said. 

Najib had previously shared how his wife played a pivotal role in his life.

During his winding-up speech during the Umno general assembly in 2013, Najib thanked Rosmah and highlighted two instances where she had helped the country.

“I have never said this before. Two years ago, a Malaysian student was detained after he was suspected to be a spy in Egypt.

“I told my wife to appeal to then President Mubarak's wife. In two hours, the student was released,” he said.

“Then during Operation Pyramid in Saudi Arabia, we made an impossible request to get our students out without visas. She used her diplomatic connections to get them out. The Saudi government even offered two jumbo jets to help us extract our students.”