Queen Saleha of Brunei


Saleha is the Queen consort of Brunei as the wife of Sultan Hassanal Bolkiah, the current Sultan of Brunei. She was the daughter of Pengiran Pemancha Pengiran Anak Haji Mohammad Alam and Pengiran Anak Hajah Besar. After her husband was crowned as the Sultan and Yang Di-Pertuan of Brunei, she succeeded her mother-in-law, Pengiran Anak Damit, as Raja Isteri. She is the mother of Crown Prince Al-Muhtadee Billah.

Early life

Saleha was born at Kampong Sumbiling, Jalan Istana Darussalam in Brunei Town, Brunei Darussalam on 7 October 1946.
Name Saleha meaning "Pious" or "Virtuous".
Saleha had her early education through private tuition at the surau of Istana Darul Hana. She also attended religious classes. She furthered her secondary education at Sekolah Tinggi Perempuan Raja Isteri in Bandar Seri Begawan until 1965.
When Saleha was young she sometimes did not wear a veil.

Marriage and family life

On 28 July 1965, Saleha married her paternal first cousin, Pengiran Muda Mahkota Hassanal Bolkiah, who later became the 29th Sultan of Brunei. The sultan's mother Raja Isteri Pengiran Anak Damit and Saleha's father Pengiran Anak Mohammad Alam were siblings.
Saleha has two sons and four daughters. She has eighteen grandchildren, and her elder son is Crown Prince Al-Muhtadee Billah.

Social contributions

Saleha is the Patron to various organisations including the Women's Institute, Pertiwi Association, PEKERTI, the Girl Guides Association of Brunei Darussalam, the Brunei Government Senior Officers Wives Welfare Association, the Women's Council of Brunei Darussalam, The Women Graduates' Association, and the Brunei Shell Women Association.

Hobbies and interests

Being a lover of nature, Saleha has a fruit garden, a fish pond and a bird park. Her hobbies include reading, playing badminton as well as traditional Bruneian games such as Congkak and Pasang.

Honours

She has been awarded :

National honours

Ancestry