Mariam Abdul Aziz
Mariam مريم | |||||||||
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![]() Mariam in 2024 | |||||||||
Born | Mariam binti Abdul Aziz 29 January 1956 | ||||||||
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Father | Haji Abdul Aziz Abdullah | ||||||||
Mother | Pengiran Hajah Rashida | ||||||||
Religion | Sunni Islam |
Datin Paduka Seri Dayang Hajah Mariam binti Abdul Aziz (Jawi: مریم; 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
[edit]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] She attended Sultan Omar Ali Saifuddien College for her education.[3] Her father's ancestry is both English and Japanese.[4] She served as a flight attendant for Royal Brunei Airlines (RBA).[4] Later, she was transferred to the Sultan's flight.[5] She is also the sister of Pehin Dato Mohd Jaafar and Dato Mohd Samid.[6]
Marriage
[edit]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,[7] Princess Azemah,[8] Princess Fadzilah[9] and Prince Abdul Mateen.[10] It was also known that she has an adopted daughter, Afifa Abdullah.[11]
Mariam was the Colonel-in-Chief of the Royal Brunei Malay Regiment (RBMR) Women's Company (Kompeni Askar Wanita), which was founded in 1981.[12][13]
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.[14]
Jewellery lawsuit
[edit]Mariam accused Fatimah Kumin Lim of stealing jewelry in two lawsuits in London.[15] 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.[16]
Social contributions
[edit]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.[17] The center was founded by the patron with the intention of improving the lives of people with impairments.[18]
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.[19]
![](http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/b/bc/Jerudong_31_December_2022_01.jpg/220px-Jerudong_31_December_2022_01.jpg)
Namesakes
[edit]- Pengiran Isteri Hajjah Mariam Hospital (PIHM Hospital), home to the fourth-largest district hospital in the nation. It is located at Temburong District's Bangar town.[20]
- Pengiran Isteri Hajjah Mariam Secondary School (SMPIHM), a school in Kampong Serasa.[21]
- Al-Ameerah Al-Hajjah Maryam Mosque, a place of worship in Kampong Jerudong.[22]
Honours
[edit]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.[23] She has been awarded the following awards:
National
Royal Family Order of the Crown of Brunei (DKMB; 11 April 1987)
Most Exalted Order of Famous Valour First Class (DPKT; 29 November 1996) – Datin Paduka Seri
Sultan Hassanal Bolkiah Medal (PHBS; 1 August 1968)
Foreign
Jordan:
Supreme Order of the Renaissance Grand Cordon (19 December 1984)
Malaysia:
Malaysian Service Medal (PJM; 11 April 1987)
Royal Family Order of Kelantan (DK; 7 March 1999)
Royal Family Order of Johor First Class (DK I; 6 March 1997)
Order of the Crown of Johor Knight Grand Commander (SPMJ; 11 April 1987) – Datin Paduka
Order of the Star of the Hornbill of Sarawak Knight Commander (DA) – Datuk Amar
South Korea:
Grand Order of Mugunghwa (6 April 1984)
Egypt:
Order of the Virtues Supreme Class (17 December 1984)
Thailand:
Dame Grand Cross of the Order of Chula Chom Klao (DGC; 26 August 2002)[24][25]
References
[edit]- ^ "Sultan of Brunei's ex-wife wins jewellery case". BBC News. 5 April 2012. Retrieved 28 September 2023.
- ^ "10. We have begun our ascent… towards royalty". The Times of India. 2 May 2019. ISSN 0971-8257. Retrieved 28 September 2023.
- ^ Sidhu, Jatswan S. (22 December 2009). Historical Dictionary of Brunei Darussalam. Scarecrow Press. p. 142. ISBN 978-0-8108-7078-9.
- ^ a b "SULTAN OF BRUNEI DIVORCES HIS SECOND WIFE". HELLO!. 5 February 2003. Retrieved 28 September 2023.
- ^ "Brunei". New Internationalist. 2 March 2008. Retrieved 28 September 2023.
- ^ "Berita - Perhimpunan keluarga eratkan hubungan silaturahim..." www.pelitabrunei.gov.bn. Retrieved 13 April 2024.
- ^ Bandial, Ain (24 October 2020). "HRH Prince Azim passes away at 38". The Scoop. Retrieved 28 September 2023.
- ^ "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.
- ^ "Meet Princess Fadzilah of Brunei – whose 10-day wedding just kicked off". South China Morning Post. 18 January 2022. Retrieved 28 September 2023.
- ^ "Which Asian royals joined Prince Abdul Mateen at the SEA Games?". South China Morning Post. 9 December 2019. Retrieved 28 September 2023.
- ^ "Sultan of Brunei's daughter Afifa Abdullah 'duped over jewels'". BBC News. 30 January 2014. Retrieved 19 January 2024.
- ^ Bachamiya A Hussainmiya (1 January 2012). "Royal Brunei Arrmed Forces 50th anniversary Commemorative History". RBAF 50th Golden Anniversary Commemorative Book. Southeastern University of Sri Lanka: 12–24.
- ^ "Pelita Brunei" (PDF). www.pelitabrunei.gov.bn (in Malay). 10 April 1996. pp. 8–9. Retrieved 28 June 2024.
- ^ "SULTAN OF BRUNEI DIVORCES HIS SECOND WIFE". HELLO!. 5 February 2003. Retrieved 28 September 2023.
- ^ "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.
- ^ "Sultan of Brunei's ex-wife wins jewellery case". BBC News. 5 April 2012. Retrieved 28 September 2023.
- ^ "Pusat Ehsan Al-Ameerah Al-Hajjah Maryam". www.pusatehsan.org.bn. Retrieved 28 September 2023.
- ^ "Pusat Ehsan Al-Ameerah Al-Hajjah Maryam". www.pusatehsan.org.bn. Retrieved 28 September 2023.
- ^ "DYTM berangkat ke Senaman Amal Beramai-ramai" (PDF). Pelita Brunei. 8 May 2002. p. 4. Retrieved 28 September 2023.
- ^ "Pengiran Isteri Hajjah Mariam Hospital". Ministry of Health. Retrieved 28 September 2023.
- ^ "Ministry of Education, Brunei Darussalam". www.moe.gov.bn. Retrieved 28 September 2023.
- ^ "SenaraiMasjid - Masjid Al-Ameerah Al-Hajjah Maryam, Kampong Jerudong". www.mora.gov.bn. Retrieved 4 January 2024.
- ^ "Berita JPM - Majlis Persantapan Diraja bergemerlapan". www.jpm.gov.bn. Retrieved 28 September 2023.
- ^ "Ratchakitcha" (PDF). Archived from the original (PDF) on 4 March 2016. Retrieved 19 January 2024.
- ^ "Dikurniakan Bintang Kebesaran Thailand" (PDF). www.pelitabrunei.gov.bn (in Malay). 28 August 2002. p. 4. Retrieved 30 June 2024.