Mariam Abdul Aziz

Mariam binti Abdul Aziz
Born	1955 or 1956 Brunei Town, Brunei
Occupation(s)	Former royal consort, philanthropist
Years active	1981–2003 (as royal consort)
Known for	Former second spouse of Sultan Hassanal Bolkiah of Brunei

Mariam binti Abdul Aziz (born 1955 or 1956) is known as the former second spouse of Sultan Hassanal Bolkiah of Brunei. Their marriage lasted from 1981 until 2003.

Early life and education

Mariam entered the world in 1955 or 1956 in Brunei Town, born to Abdul Aziz bin Abdullah and Rashidah binti Mohammad Salleh. Her father, originally named Jimmy Bell, was of mixed Scottish and Japanese descent; upon marrying Rashidah, a Bruneian Malay, he embraced Islam and adopted the name Abdul Aziz. He was employed as a civil servant within the Royal Customs and Excise Department. Mariam's siblings include Pehin Dato Jaafar Abdul Aziz and Samid Abdul Aziz.

She completed her studies at Sultan Omar Ali Saifuddien College in Brunei Town and subsequently spent six years working as a flight attendant for Royal Brunei Airlines.

Marriage and issue

Mariam wed Sultan Hassanal Bolkiah on 28 October 1981 in a private ceremony, having met him the year before during her tenure as a flight attendant. She became the Sultan's second wife, while he remained married to Queen Saleha. The Sultan’s father, Sultan Omar Ali Saifuddien III, expressed disapproval because of Mariam’s mixed heritage and commoner status.

Together, they had four children:

• Prince Abdul Azim (29 July 1982 – 24 October 2020)
• Princess Azemah Ni'matul (26 September 1984); married Prince Bahar bin Jefri on 12 January 2023
• Princess Fadzilah Lubabul (23 August 1985); married Abdullah Al-Hashimi on 20 January 2022; they have a daughter, Daniya Rahmatul (born 2 October 2024)
• Prince Abdul Mateen (10 August 1991); married Anisha Isa Kalebic on 11 January 2024

In addition to her biological children, Mariam has adopted at least ten children, among them Afifa Abdullah and Farid Abdullah.

On 2 February 2003, after twenty-one years of marriage, the Sultan publicly declared their divorce through a single talaq without providing an explanation. Following this separation, all her royal titles and distinctions were rescinded.

Jewellery lawsuit

Mariam initiated two legal actions against Fatimah Kumin Lim in London courts, accusing her of jewelry theft. The court determined that Lim unlawfully sold two diamonds along with diamond jewelry valued at approximately £12.5 million. Residing in Singapore, Lim is currently being sought for restitution. Mariam testified that she had entrusted a diamond bracelet to a bodyguard in 2008 for safekeeping but never regained possession of it.

Social contributions

In the year 2000, Mariam established Pusat Ehsan Al-Ameerah Al-Hajjah Maryam, a non-profit organization dedicated to providing training, rehabilitation, and educational services for individuals with special needs. She continues to serve as the patron of this institution. In 2024, Pusat Ehsan inaugurated Sekolah Al-Ameerah Al-Hajjah Maryam, Brunei’s first school specifically designed for special needs students.

Additionally, Mariam held the position of colonel-in-chief of the Women's Company (Kompeni Askar Wanita) within the Royal Brunei Malay Regiment, which was formed in 1981.

Residences

Mariam resides with her children at Istana Nurul Izzah in Kampong Jerudong, Brunei, a palace constructed specifically for her in 1985 by the Sultan, with an estimated expenditure of US$120 million. Additionally, she possesses a townhouse situated in Pembroke Gardens, Kensington, London, as well as a countryside estate in Leicestershire.

Titles, styles and honours

Throughout her marriage, Mariam was styled as Duli Yang Teramat Mulia Pengiran Isteri Hajah Mariam binti Haji Abdul Aziz (Her Royal Highness Princess Consort Mariam binti Abdul Aziz). This designation was rescinded following their divorce in 2003; however, as of 2022, she continues to hold the title Datin Paduka Seri.

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)
• Sultan of Brunei Silver Jubilee Medal (5 October 1992)
• Proclamation of Independence Medal (1 January 1984)

Foreign

• :
  • Supreme Order of the Renaissance Grand Cordon (19 December 1984)
• :
  • 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 Sarawak Knight Commander (DA) – Datuk Amar
• :
  • Grand Order of Mugunghwa (6 April 1984)
• :
  • Order of the Virtues Supreme Class (17 December 1984)
• :
  • Dame Grand Cross of the Order of Chula Chom Klao (DGC; 26 August 2002)

Namesakes

• Pengiran Isteri Hajjah Mariam Hospital (PIHM Hospital), ranking as Brunei’s fourth-largest district hospital, located in Bangar town within Temburong District.
• Pengiran Isteri Hajjah Mariam Secondary School (SMPIHM), a secondary educational institution situated in Kampong Serasa.
• Al-Ameerah Al-Hajjah Maryam Mosque, a place of worship located in Kampong Jerudong.