Hello Kitty is not a cat, but a British schoolgirl named Kitty White. She was born on Nov 1, 1974.

Japanese illustrator Yuko Shimizu designed the character in her 20s. She was followed by Hello Kitty’s second and third designers, Setsuko Yonekubo and Yuko Yamaguchi, respectively.

In 2021, Hello Kitty was the highlight of Gardens by the Bay’s signature Sakura floral display in the Flower Dome.

In 1987, she made her TV debut in a Japanese-American animated series called Hello Kitty’s Furry Tale Theater.

In 2005, Ms Wendy Tan Pui Hoon and Mr Tan Chong Yee tied the knot and used Hello Kitty dolls as ring pillows for the solemnisation. The couple met on Jan 26, 2000, while queueing for the Hello Kitty Japanese wedding set at a McDonald’s outlet in Bedok Interchange.

Since June 1, Singapore Cable Car has been operating Hello Kitty-themed cabins. This will go on till Dec 31.

In January 2000, McDonald’s launched several Hello Kitty toys. In a series of separate incidents, a scuffle took place, a glass door was shattered in an outlet and six people were arrested for unruly behaviour.

American singer Lady Gaga donned a gown made entirely of Hello Kitty plush toys for the character’s 35th anniversary in 2009.