Mariam Abdul Aziz

Mariam binti Abdul Aziz, born around 1955 or 1956 in Brunei Town, worked as a stewardess for Royal Brunei Airlines. Although she was a commoner, she came from a mixed heritage, being not of pure Malay descent. Her mother, Rashidah Saleh, was Bruneian, while her father, Jimmy Bell, born to a Scottish father and Japanese mother, was a government servant in Brunei. After marrying Rashidah, Jimmy Bell converted to Islam and took the name Abdul Aziz. As the fourth child in the family, Mariam was half Bruneian, a quarter English, and a quarter Japanese. She attended Sultan Omar Ali Saifuddien College in Brunei Town and was reportedly sympathetic to the outlawed Parti Rakyat Brunei (PRB) during her school years.{{Cite book |last=Singh |first=D. S. Ranjit |title=Historical Dictionary of Brunei Darussalam |last2=Sidhu |first2=Jatswan S. |publisher=Scarecrow Press |year=1997 |isbn=9780810832763 |location=London |pages=85-86}} She is also the sister of Pehin Dato Mohd Jaafar and Dato Mohd Samid.{{Cite web |title=Berita - Perhimpunan keluarga eratkan hubungan silaturahim... |url=https://www.pelitabrunei.gov.bn/Lists/Berita/NewDisplayForm.aspx?ID=13775&ContentTypeId=0x0100BC31BF6D2ED1E4459ACCF88DA3E23BA8 |access-date=2024-04-13 |website=www.pelitabrunei.gov.bn}}

Mariam became the second wife of Sultan Hassanal Bolkiah in a secret ceremony on 28 October 1981. Her marriage to the Sultan was initially met with strong disapproval from the Sultan's father, Sultan Omar Ali Saifuddien III, primarily because Mariam was a commoner of mixed heritage and not of pure Malay descent. However, by March-April 1987, Sultan Omar Ali reconciled and began accepting her as his daughter-in-law. Mariam has four children with the Sultan: two sons, Abdul Azim{{Cite web |last=Bandial |first=Ain |date=2020-10-24 |title=HRH Prince Azim passes away at 38 |url=https://thescoop.co/2020/10/24/hrh-prince-abdul-azim-passes-away-at-38/ |access-date=2023-09-28 |website=The Scoop |language=en-GB}} and Abdul Mateen,{{Cite web |last=Singh |first=Keval |date=2023-10-08 |title=Brunei's Prince Mateen to marry in January 2024 |url=https://www.straitstimes.com/asia/se-asia/brunei-s-prince-mateen-to-marry-in-january-2024 |access-date=2023-10-08 |website=The Strait Times |language=en-US}} and two daughters, Fadzilah Lubabul Bolkiah{{Cite web |last=Bakar |first=Rasidah Hj Abu |date=2020-02-17 |title=SEA Games medallists receive cash payouts |url=http://thescoop.co/2020/02/17/sea-games-medallists-receive-cash-payouts/ |access-date=2022-12-03 |website=The Scoop |language=en-GB}} and Azemah Ni'matul Bolkiah.{{Cite web |date=2023-01-12 |title=Istiadat Berbedak Pengantin Diraja highlights royal wedding celebration |url=https://borneobulletin.com.bn/istiadat-berbedak-pengantin-diraja-highlights-royal-wedding-celebration/ |access-date=2023-09-28 |website=Borneo Bulletin Online |language=en-US}} It was also known that she has an adopted daughter, Afifa Abdullah.{{Cite news |date=2014-01-30 |title=Sultan of Brunei's daughter Afifa Abdullah 'duped over jewels' |url=https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-england-london-25966934 |access-date=2024-01-19 |work=BBC News |language=en-GB}}

Her family resides in Istana Nurul Izzah, a palace built for her by the Sultan at a cost of US$120 million. Although officially ranking second to Queen Saleha, Mariam is often perceived as more influential. The Sultan spends most of his time with her, both at home and during official and unofficial trips abroad. It is also rumored that she is leveraging her status to promote her son, Abdul Azim, as the heir apparent to the throne. She was the colonel-in-chief of the Royal Brunei Malay Regiment (RBMR) Women's Company (Kompeni Askar Wanita),{{Cite web |date=1996-04-10 |title=Pelita Brunei |url=https://www.pelitabrunei.gov.bn/Arkib%20Dokumen/1996/PB%2010%20April%201996.pdf |access-date=2024-06-28 |website=www.pelitabrunei.gov.bn |pages=8–9 |language=ms}}{{Cite news |date=October 1990 |title=Women soldiers put shooting skills to test |url=https://www.information.gov.bn/Publication%20listsPDF/Brunei%20Darussalam%20Newsletter/1990/BD%20Oct%2090.pdf |access-date=2025-02-03 |work=Brunei Darussalam Newsletter |publisher=Department of Information |pages=7 |issue=14}} which was founded in 1981.{{Cite journal |last=Bachamiya A Hussainmiya |date=2012-01-01 |title=Royal Brunei Arrmed Forces 50th anniversary Commemorative History |url=https://www.academia.edu/101474835 |journal=RBAF 50th Golden Anniversary Commemorative Book |publisher=Southeastern University of Sri Lanka |pages=12–24}}

After meeting in 1980, the couple got divorced in February 2003. Prince Sufri Bolkiah, the brother of the Sultan, announced the information on official television on 2 February 2003,{{Cite news |date=2003-02-03 |title=Dijatuhkan talak satu |url=http://www.brunet.bn/news/pelita/ |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20030206212938/http://www.brunet.bn/news/pelita/ |archive-date=2003-02-06 |access-date=2024-09-29 |work=Pelita Brunei |language=ms}} 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.{{Cite web |date=2003-02-05 |title=SULTAN OF BRUNEI DIVORCES HIS SECOND WIFE |url=https://www.hellomagazine.com/royalty/20030206308885/sultanofbrunei/ |access-date=2023-09-28 |website=HELLO! |language=en}}

Mariam accused Fatimah Kumin Lim of stealing jewelry in two lawsuits in London.{{Cite news |date=2014-02-12 |title=Former Singapore shuttler allegedly stole from ex-wife of Brunei sultan to settle $10m debt |language=en |work=The Straits Times |url=https://www.straitstimes.com/world/former-singapore-shuttler-allegedly-stole-from-ex-wife-of-brunei-sultan-to-settle-10m-debt |access-date=2023-09-28 |issn=0585-3923}} The judge concluded that the thief 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.{{Cite news |date=2012-04-05 |title=Sultan of Brunei's ex-wife wins jewellery case |language=en-GB |work=BBC News |url=https://www.bbc.com/news/world-asia-17634462 |access-date=2023-09-28}}

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.{{Cite web |title=Pusat Ehsan Al-Ameerah Al-Hajjah Maryam |url=https://www.pusatehsan.org.bn/page-about_2.html |access-date=2023-09-28 |website=www.pusatehsan.org.bn}} The center was founded by the patron with the intention of improving the lives of people with impairments.{{Cite web |title=Pusat Ehsan Al-Ameerah Al-Hajjah Maryam |url=https://www.pusatehsan.org.bn/page-about_1.html |access-date=2023-09-28 |website=www.pusatehsan.org.bn}}

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.{{Cite news |date=2002-05-08 |title=DYTM berangkat ke Senaman Amal Beramai-ramai |pages=4 |work=Pelita Brunei |url=https://www.pelitabrunei.gov.bn/Arkib%20Dokumen/2002/08%20MEI%202002.pdf |access-date=2023-09-28}}

{{see also|List of honours of the Bruneian Royal Family by country}}

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.{{Cite web |title=Berita JPM - Majlis Persantapan Diraja bergemerlapan |url=https://www.jpm.gov.bn/Lists/Berita%20JPM%202022/NDispForm.aspx?ID=329&InitialTabID=Ribbon.Read&source=/ |access-date=2023-09-28 |website=www.jpm.gov.bn}} She has been awarded the following awards:

National

• 50px Royal Family Order of the Crown of Brunei (DKMB; 11 April 1987)
• 50x50px Most Exalted Order of Famous Valour First Class (DPKT; 29 November 1996) – Datin Paduka Seri
• 50px Sultan Hassanal Bolkiah Medal (PHBS; 1 August 1968)
• 50px Sultan of Brunei Silver Jubilee Medal (5 October 1992).
• 50px Proclamation of Independence Medal (1 January 1984)

Foreign

• {{flag|Jordan}}:
• 50x50px Supreme Order of the Renaissance Grand Cordon (19 December 1984)
• {{flag|Malaysia}}:
• 50x50px Malaysian Service Medal (PJM; 11 April 1987)
• 50x50px Royal Family Order of Kelantan (DK; 7 March 1999)
• 50px Royal Family Order of Johor First Class (DK I; 6 March 1997)
• 50x50px Order of the Crown of Johor Knight Grand Commander (SPMJ; 11 April 1987) – Datin Paduka
• 50x50px Order of the Star of the Hornbill of Sarawak Knight Commander (DA) – Datuk Amar
• {{flag|South Korea}}:
• 50x50px Grand Order of Mugunghwa (6 April 1984)
• {{flag|Egypt}}:
• 50x50px Order of the Virtues Supreme Class (17 December 1984)
• {{flag|Thailand}}:
• 50x50px Dame Grand Cross of the Order of Chula Chom Klao (DGC; 26 August 2002){{Cite web |url=http://www.ratchakitcha.soc.go.th/DATA/PDF/00090781.PDF |access-date=2024-01-19 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160304213239/http://www.ratchakitcha.soc.go.th/DATA/PDF/00090781.PDF |title=Ratchakitcha|archive-date=4 March 2016 }}{{Cite web |date=2002-08-28 |title=Dikurniakan Bintang Kebesaran Thailand |url=https://www.pelitabrunei.gov.bn/Arkib%20Dokumen/2002/28%20OGOS%202002.pdf |access-date=2024-06-30 |website=www.pelitabrunei.gov.bn |page=4 |language=ms}}

File:Jerudong 31 December 2022 01.jpg

• 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.{{Cite web |title=Pengiran Isteri Hajjah Mariam Hospital |url=https://www.moh.gov.bn/SitePages/Pengiran%20Isteri%20Hajjah%20Mariam%20Hospital%20AT%20A%20GLANCE.aspx |access-date=2023-09-28 |website=Ministry of Health}}
• Pengiran Isteri Hajjah Mariam Secondary School (SMPIHM), a school in Kampong Serasa.{{Cite web |title=Ministry of Education, Brunei Darussalam |url=https://www.moe.gov.bn/SitePages/NewsArticle.aspx?AID=742 |access-date=2023-09-28 |website=www.moe.gov.bn}}
• Al-Ameerah Al-Hajjah Maryam Mosque, a place of worship in Kampong Jerudong.{{Cite web |title=SenaraiMasjid - Masjid Al-Ameerah Al-Hajjah Maryam, Kampong Jerudong |url=https://www.mora.gov.bn/SenaraiMasjid/Forms/DispForm.aspx?ID=14&Source=/SenaraiMasjid/Forms/ViewAll.aspx |access-date=2024-01-04 |website=www.mora.gov.bn}}

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Category:1956 births

Category:Living people

Category:Bruneian Muslims

Category:Bruneian royalty

Category:Bruneian royal consorts

Category:Bruneian people of English descent

Category:Bruneian people of Japanese descent

Mariam Abdul Aziz

Category:Recipients of Supreme Order of the Renaissance (Jordan)