Upon his graduation, he worked in journalism, creating a sports magazine with friends before joining Warta Malaya, a Malay-language daily newspaper.

On 3 December 1959, Yusof succeeded Sir William Goode as Yang di-Pertuan Negara (English: Head of State) after the People's Action Party (PAP) won the 1959 general election.

Yusof served three terms in office (2 as Yang-di Pertuan Negara) before he died on 23 November 1970 due to heart failure.

Yusof was born on 12 August 1910 in Padang Gajah, a kampong village in Terong, Larut, Matang and Selama District, Perak, which was then a part of the Federated Malay States (present-day Malaysia).

In 1923, when his family moved to the Straits Settlements (present-day Singapore) after his father was posted there, Yusof studied at Victoria Bridge School.

[4][5] During his time in Raffles Institution, he played various sports such as swimming, weight lifting, water-polo, boxing, hockey, baseball, and cricket.

[7] In 1932, Yusof joined Warta Malaya, a well-known Malay newspaper with the highest circulation during that time and worked as an assistant manager.

[9] Warta Malaya was heavily influenced by developments in the Middle East and Yusof wanted a newspaper dedicated to Malay issues.

[13] During the occupation, Yusof moved back to Taiping and with the remaining money he had, he opened a provision shop and lived there until the war ended in 1945 and Utusan Melayu resumed publication.

After his resignation from Utusan Melayu, Yusof took the position of Chairman of the Public Service Commission of Singapore at the invitation of then Prime Minister Lee Kuan Yew.

Yusof actively promoted multiculturalism and reached out to people of all races to help restore trust and confidence after the 1964 racial riots.

[18][19] Yusof is survived by his wife of 21 years, Puan Noor Aishah, and their three children, Orkid Kamariah, Imran, and Zuriana.

[20] Puan Noor Aishah continued her husband's legacy of public service and was the first Asian to become president of the Singapore Girl Guides Association.