Initial reports indicated that the marriage was conducted in June 1954, and Hartini stated in a 1954 interview that she had met him at a wedding in Bogor (De Vrije Pers 1954, p.1). "Interview Met Mevrouw Hartini Soekarno"[Interview with Mrs. Hartini Soekarno]. De Vrije Pers (in Dutch). Surabaya. 22 September 1954. p.1.
This arrangement was supported by the women's movement. Modelling their ideal first lady on Eleanor Roosevelt, the movement held that Indonesia could only have a singular first lady (Sullivan 2020, p.289). Sullivan, Charles P. (2020). Years of Dressing Dangerously: Modern Women, National Identity and Moral Crisis in Sukarno's Indonesia, 1945–1966 (PhD. dissertation). University of Michigan. ProQuest2479689097.
Hatta and Hartini became more cordial after Sukarno's death (Tempo 2002). "The Fallout of the Duumvirate". Tempo. 19 August 2002. ProQuest198892149.
Although Fatmawati was reported to have sought a divorce from Sukarno as early as 1955 (Alden 1955, p.3), it was only granted after Sukarno's fall from power (The New York Times 1969, p.15). Alden, Robert (30 December 1955). "Sukarno Is Beset by Marital Woes: Wife No. 1 Reported Seeking to Divorce the President as Indonesians Differ". The New York Times. p.3. ProQuest113304635.
Sullivan 2020, p.214. Sullivan, Charles P. (2020). Years of Dressing Dangerously: Modern Women, National Identity and Moral Crisis in Sukarno's Indonesia, 1945–1966 (PhD. dissertation). University of Michigan. ProQuest2479689097.
Sullivan 2020, pp.285–289. Sullivan, Charles P. (2020). Years of Dressing Dangerously: Modern Women, National Identity and Moral Crisis in Sukarno's Indonesia, 1945–1966 (PhD. dissertation). University of Michigan. ProQuest2479689097.
Sullivan 2020, p.289. Sullivan, Charles P. (2020). Years of Dressing Dangerously: Modern Women, National Identity and Moral Crisis in Sukarno's Indonesia, 1945–1966 (PhD. dissertation). University of Michigan. ProQuest2479689097.
Alden 1955, p.3. Alden, Robert (30 December 1955). "Sukarno Is Beset by Marital Woes: Wife No. 1 Reported Seeking to Divorce the President as Indonesians Differ". The New York Times. p.3. ProQuest113304635.