Teo Chee Hean was born on 27 December 1954. He was educated at St Michael’s School and St Joseph’s Institution. He enlisted in the Singapore Armed Forces (SAF) in 1972 and received his commission at the Singapore Armed Forces Training Institute in 1973.

He was awarded the President’s Scholarship and the SAF Scholarship in 1973 to study Electrical Engineering and Management Science at the University of Manchester Institute of Science and Technology where he graduated with a Bachelor of Science (First Class Honours) degree in 1976. He continued with his studies at the Imperial College in London, obtaining a Masters of Science degree (with distinction) in Computing Science in 1977.

Teo Chee Hean then held various command and staff appointments in the Republic of Singapore Navy and the Joint Staff.

He pursued his postgraduate studies at the Kennedy School of Government in Harvard University in 1986, where he graduated with a Masters in Public Administration and was named a Littauer Fellow.

He assumed command of the Republic of Singapore Navy as Chief of Navy in 1991, and was promoted to the rank of Rear Admiral in July 1991. On 7 December 1992, he left the SAF to seek elected public office.

In a by-election in December 1992, he was elected as a Member of Parliament for the Marine Parade Group Representation Constituency. Thereafter, he served as Minister of State in the Ministries of Finance, Communications and Defence.

In April 1995, Teo Chee Hean was appointed Acting Minister for the Environment and Senior Minister of State for Defence.  In January 1996, he was appointed Minister for the Environment and Second Minister for Defence. 

In January 1997, he was elected as a Member of Parliament for the Pasir Ris Group Representation Constituency.

He was elected as Member of Parliament for the Pasir Ris - Punggol Group Representation Constituency in November 2001 and re-elected in May 2006.

From 1997 to 2003 he served as Minister for Education while continuing as Second Minister for Defence.

On 1 August 2003, he was appointed as Minister for Defence. He also serves as Minister in charge of the Civil Service since 1 August 2003.

On 1 April 2009, Teo Chee Hean was appointed Deputy Prime Minister. He continues to serve as Minister for Defence and Minister in charge of the Civil Service.

Teo Chee Hean is married to Chew Poh Yim. They have a son and a daughter.