Mariam Abdul Aziz

Former wife of Sultan Hassanal Bolkiah of Brunei

Sultan Hassanal Bolkiah
​
​
(m. 
Names
Hajah Mariam binti Haji Abdul Aziz
Regnal name
Yang Mulia Datin Paduka Seri Dayang Hajah Mariam binti Haji Abdul Aziz
FatherHaji Abdul Aziz AbdullahMotherPengiran Hajah RashidaReligionSunni Islam

Datin Paduka Seri Dayang Hajah Mariam binti Abdul Aziz (born 29 January 1956), also referred to as Mariam Aziz,[1] is the former wife of Sultan Hassanal Bolkiah, married to him from 1981 to 2003.

Early life

As the third child of Abdul Aziz bin Abdullah, formerly known as James Bell, and Pengiran Hajah Rashida (his second wife), Mariam was born on 28 January 1956.[2][failed verification] Her father's ancestry is both English and Japanese.[3] She served as a flight attendant for Royal Brunei Airlines (RBA).[3] Later, she was transferred to the Sultan's flight.[4]

Marriage

On 28 October 1981, in Bandar Seri Begawan, Mariam married Sultan Hassanal Bolkiah, who made her his second wife. She was bestowed the title of Duli Yang Teramat Mulia Pengiran Isteri. Together they have four children who are Prince Abdul Azim,[5] Princess Azemah,[6] Princess Fadzilah[7] and Prince Abdul Mateen.[8] It was also known that she has an adopted daughter, Afifa Abdullah.[9]

After meeting in 1980, the couple got divorced in February 2003. Prince Sufri, the brother of Sultan Hassanal Bolkiah, announced the information on official television on 2 February 2003, that she was getting a divorce in accordance with the country's Sharia Islamic law. In government and commercial establishments, several images of the sultan's ex-wife that were displayed alongside to pictures of him and his first wife were swiftly taken down after the royal announcement. The monarch has 100 days to change his mind without requiring new marriage vows, but no explanation for the divorce was given.[10]

Jewellery lawsuit

Mariam accused Fatimah Kumin Lim of stealing jewelry in two lawsuits in London.[11] The judge concluded that the theft had illegally sold two diamonds and a diamond jewellery worth about £12.5 million. She lives in Singapore and is currently pursuing compensation for the theft. Mariam had previously testified in court that she had given a diamond bracelet to one of her bodyguards on a night out in 2008 for safekeeping and had not seen it since.[12]

Social contributions

Pusat Ehsan Al-Ameerah Al-Hajjah Maryam is a non-profit, charitable organization dedicated to offering high-quality training, rehabilitation, and educational opportunities for people with special needs. Mariam serves as Pusat Ehsan's patron.[13] The center was founded by the patron with the intention of improving the lives of people with impairments.[14]

Together with Princess Masna on 8 May 2002, participated in tai chi during a mass charity exercise hosted by the Brunei Business Women's Association at the Hassanal Bolkiah National Stadium.[15]

Legacy

Al-Ameerah Al-Hajjah Maryam Mosque

Namesakes

Honours

Mariam had her national awards revoked upon her divorce in 2003, despite this she still holds the title of Datin Paduka Seri as of 2022.[19] She has been awarded the following awards:

National

Foreign

References

  1. ^ "Sultan of Brunei's ex-wife wins jewellery case". BBC News. 5 April 2012. Retrieved 28 September 2023.
  2. ^ "10. We have begun our ascent… towards royalty". The Times of India. 2 May 2019. ISSN 0971-8257. Retrieved 28 September 2023.
  3. ^ a b "SULTAN OF BRUNEI DIVORCES HIS SECOND WIFE". HELLO!. 5 February 2003. Retrieved 28 September 2023.
  4. ^ "Brunei". New Internationalist. 2 March 2008. Retrieved 28 September 2023.
  5. ^ Bandial, Ain (24 October 2020). "HRH Prince Azim passes away at 38". The Scoop. Retrieved 28 September 2023.
  6. ^ "Istiadat Berbedak Pengantin Diraja highlights royal wedding celebration » Borneo Bulletin Online". Istiadat Berbedak Pengantin Diraja highlights royal wedding celebration. 12 January 2023. Retrieved 28 September 2023.
  7. ^ "Meet Princess Fadzilah of Brunei – whose 10-day wedding just kicked off". South China Morning Post. 18 January 2022. Retrieved 28 September 2023.
  8. ^ "Which Asian royals joined Prince Abdul Mateen at the SEA Games?". South China Morning Post. 9 December 2019. Retrieved 28 September 2023.
  9. ^ "Sultan of Brunei's daughter Afifa Abdullah 'duped over jewels'". BBC News. 30 January 2014. Retrieved 19 January 2024.
  10. ^ "SULTAN OF BRUNEI DIVORCES HIS SECOND WIFE". HELLO!. 5 February 2003. Retrieved 28 September 2023.
  11. ^ "Former Singapore shuttler allegedly stole from ex-wife of Brunei sultan to settle $10m debt". The Straits Times. 12 February 2014. ISSN 0585-3923. Retrieved 28 September 2023.
  12. ^ "Sultan of Brunei's ex-wife wins jewellery case". BBC News. 5 April 2012. Retrieved 28 September 2023.
  13. ^ "Pusat Ehsan Al-Ameerah Al-Hajjah Maryam". www.pusatehsan.org.bn. Retrieved 28 September 2023.
  14. ^ "Pusat Ehsan Al-Ameerah Al-Hajjah Maryam". www.pusatehsan.org.bn. Retrieved 28 September 2023.
  15. ^ "DYTM berangkat ke Senaman Amal Beramai-ramai" (PDF). Pelita Brunei. 8 May 2002. p. 4. Retrieved 28 September 2023.
  16. ^ "Pengiran Isteri Hajjah Mariam Hospital". Ministry of Health. Retrieved 28 September 2023.
  17. ^ "Ministry of Education, Brunei Darussalam". www.moe.gov.bn. Retrieved 28 September 2023.
  18. ^ "SenaraiMasjid - Masjid Al-Ameerah Al-Hajjah Maryam, Kampong Jerudong". www.mora.gov.bn. Retrieved 4 January 2024.
  19. ^ "Berita JPM - Majlis Persantapan Diraja bergemerlapan". www.jpm.gov.bn. Retrieved 28 September 2023.
  20. ^ "Ratchakitcha" (PDF). Archived from the original (PDF) on 4 March 2016. Retrieved 19 January 2024.