Sultan of Brunei, the son of Sultan Sir Omar Ali Saifuddin. He was educated in Malaysia, and at Sandhurst Military Academy. Appointed crown prince in 1961, he became sultan in 1967 on his father's abdication. On independence (1984) he also became prime minister and defence minister. As head of an oil- and gas-rich microstate, he is reputed to be the richest individual in the world, with an estimated wealth of $25 billion. A moderate Muslim, he has two wives, Princess Saleha (m.1965), and Mariam Bell (m.1981), a former air stewardess. His son, Crown Prince Al-Muhtadee Billah Bolkiah, married commoner Sarah Salleh in 2004.
| Hassanal Bolkiah | ||
|---|---|---|
| Sultan of Brunei | ||
| Reign | 5 October 1967 — Present | |
| Coronation | 1 August 1968 | |
| Born | July 15, 1946 | |
| Bandar Seri Begawan, Brunei | ||
| Predecessor | Omar Ali Saifuddin III | |
| Heir-Apparent | Al-Muhtadee Billah Bolkiah | |
| Consort | Her Majesty Raja Isteri Pengiran Anak Saleha | |
| Royal House | Brunei | |
| Father | Omar Ali Saifuddin III | |
Kebawah Duli Yang Maha Mulia Paduka Seri Baginda Sultan Haji Hassanal Bolkiah Al-Mu'izzaddin Waddaulah ibni Almarhum Sultan Omar Ali Saifuddien Sa'adul Khairi Waddien, GCMG (born July 15, 1946) is the 29th Sultan of Brunei, the eldest son of Omar Ali Saifuddin Sa'adul Khairi Waddien, the previous sultan.
Crown Prince Al-Muhtadee Billah Bolkiah is the sultan's heir, born by Queen Saleha.
Political role as Sultan
For further information on the politics of Brunei see the article, Politics of Brunei.
Under Brunei's 1959 constitution, the Sultan is the head of state with full executive authority, including emergency powers since 1962.
In addition to being the Sultan, Bolkiah is also the Prime Minister of Brunei, as well as holding the portfolios of Defence, and Finance.
In 1991 he introduced a conservative ideology to Brunei called Melayu Islam Beraja (MIB) (or Malay Islamic Monarchy), which presents the monarchy as the defender of the faith.
He addressed the United Nations General Assembly on Brunei Darussalam's admission to the United Nations in September, 1984.
On March 9, 2006, the Sultan was reported to have changed Brunei's constitution to make himself infallible under Bruneian law.
Early years and education
He was born on July 15, 1946 in Brunei Town (now called Bandar Seri Begawan).
The Sultan received high school education in Malaysia's premier school Victoria Institution in Kuala Lumpur, where he joined the Cadet Corps (Infantry). After receiving a private education in Brunei, the Sultan graduated from the Royal Military Academy Sandhurst in October 1967, and has since received an honorary doctorate from a Russian university.
Personal wealth
The Sultan has a sizable private fortune derived from his total control over the national economy's finances and the appropriation of the state's sizeable oil revenues to bankroll his extravagant lifestyle.
Motor cars
The Sultan is famous for his vast automobile collection.
He has a special interest in buying one-of-a-kind concept cars, including the Bentley Java and Bentley Dominator 4x4, whilst leaving slightly more common race cars such as the Aston Martin AM3 or the souped-up 300SL replicas to his brother Jefri.
Other concerns
For personal use, the sultan possesses a Boeing 747-400 furnished with gold plated furniture, six smaller planes and two helicopters.
He also operates a $1 billion theme park called Jerudong Park, which in the past used to be free of charge.
Family feud
In February 2006 the sultan's legal feud with his brother, Prince Jefri Bolkiah (in the media known as the "Playboy Prince", because of his lavish lifestyle), was settled in London's High Court.
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