1. Hassanal Bolkiah Muiz'zaddin Wad'daulah was born on 15 July 1946 and is the Sultan of Brunei since 1967, and prime minister of Brunei since its independence from the United Kingdom in 1984.
58 Facts About Hassanal Bolkiah
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Hassanal Bolkiah is one of the few remaining absolute monarchs in the world.
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Hassanal Bolkiah is the world's longest-reigning current monarch and the longest-serving current head of state.
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On 5 October 2017, Bolkiah celebrated his Golden Jubilee to mark the 50th year of his reign.
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Pengiran Muda Hassanal Bolkiah was born during the reign of his uncle Sultan Ahmad Tajuddin on 15 July 1946, in Istana Darussalam.
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Hassanal Bolkiah finished his third grade schooling at the Jamalul Alam Malay School in Brunei Town in 1955 when he was nine years old.
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Hassanal Bolkiah was able to read English literature in three months, and after four years, he had reached the sixth grade of primary schooling.
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Hassanal Bolkiah prefers to study the sciences, languages, and history from a subject standpoint.
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For over four years, Hassanal Bolkiah attended school at the Istana Darul Hana Surau before relocating to Kuala Lumpur to further his education.
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Hassanal Bolkiah originally attended Jalan Gurney School before studying at Victoria Institution from January 1961 to December 1963.
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Hassanal Bolkiah had attained the rank of Lance Corporal when he left the institution.
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The wedding between Pengiran Anak Saleha and Hassanal Bolkiah took place in the palace on 29 July 1965.
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Hassanal Bolkiah later enrolled as a cadet officer at the Royal Military Academy Sandhurst on 4 January 1966.
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Hassanal Bolkiah pursued studies in English, mathematics, science, military science and international affairs, with a focus on the country of Russia, throughout his time at the RMAS.
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Hassanal Bolkiah gave particular emphasis to the study of the significance of technical and strategic development.
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Hassanal Bolkiah graduated and was commissioned as an Honorary Captain in the Coldstream Guards on 1 March 1968.
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Hassanal Bolkiah promised to improve the standard of living of his subjects through various development projects, and to protect and uphold Islam and Brunei's customs and traditions.
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Hassanal Bolkiah continued to get advice from his father on all significant decisions because of his youth and lack of expertise in state administration matters.
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Between May and December 1969, Hassanal Bolkiah made three journeys to London in an attempt to establish contact with the British government; however, these travels were unsuccessful.
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Hassanal Bolkiah made another trip to London in April 1970 in an attempt to break the stalemate in the negotiations, but the British government refused to compromise since it thought Brunei could defend itself on its own without British assistance.
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At the age of 25, Sultan Hassanal Bolkiah was named Inspector-General of the Royal Brunei Police Force and General of the RBMR on 17 July 1971.
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Hassanal Bolkiah has consented to restructure and reappoint a number of the council's former members.
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Hassanal Bolkiah headed another mission to London in 1978 to negotiate Brunei's status as an independent, sovereign state with the British government.
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Hassanal Bolkiah assumed control of Brunei as an independent country under a democratic monarchy, as their head of government, the Prime Minister.
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Hassanal Bolkiah reestablished the LegCo on 27 December 1983, and it was dissolved on 13 February 1984.
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Hassanal Bolkiah gave a contribution of B$210,000 to the United Nations International School.
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Hassanal Bolkiah appointed himself as the Minister of Finance on 23 February 1997.
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Hassanal Bolkiah had previously held the post from 1984 to 1986 before it was taken over by his brother Prince Jefri Bolkiah.
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The recreational park known as Sultan Haji Hassanal Bolkiah Silver Jubilee Park is a popular tourist destination and landmark in the neighbourhood.
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In 2014, Hassanal Bolkiah declared the implementation of strict Islamic criminal penalties, moving forward with proposals that prompted both rare domestic opposition to the opulently wealthy ruler and worldwide outrage.
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Hassanal Bolkiah banned public celebrations of Christmas in 2015, including wearing hats or clothes that resemble Santa Claus.
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Crown Prince Al-Muhtadee Billah, Princes Abdul Azim, Abdul Malik, Abdul Mateen and Abdul Wakeel, and Princess Rashidah Sa'adatul Hassanal Bolkiah joined their majesties on the chariot.
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Hassanal Bolkiah showed his leadership when, in a matter of days, he forbade foreigners from entering Brunei and prevented its nationals from leaving.
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Hassanal Bolkiah led the country morally and steadfastly as its political and religious head.
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Hassanal Bolkiah reminded Bruneians that for Muslims, the virus itself was sent by God, highlighting the obligation of Muslims to observe social distancing standards, take sanitary care, redouble their prayers, and meditate on the Quran.
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Hassanal Bolkiah encouraged stopping the bloodshed, showing moderation, and respecting international humanitarian law to prevent regional spread, and urged the international community and UN Security Council to support comprehensive peace efforts in the Middle East, including resolving Palestinian hardships, during his speech at the ASEAN-GCC Summit in October 2023.
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Hassanal Bolkiah underlined that unity and patriotism are essential for upholding the value of religion, sovereignty, and national identity.
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Hassanal Bolkiah underlined that genuine independence involves freedom and harmony, attained through the sacrifices of previous and present generations.
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Hassanal Bolkiah has taken numerous trips around Europe, the Middle East, Southeast and East Asia, and the United States.
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Hassanal Bolkiah addressed the United Nations General Assembly on Brunei Darussalam's admission to the United Nations in September 1984.
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Hassanal Bolkiah was chairman of Summit APEC Leaders in 2000 when Brunei Darussalam hosted the summit.
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Hassanal Bolkiah was the chairman of ASEAN Summit in 2013 and 2021, when Brunei Darussalam became the Chair of ASEAN Summits and its Related Meetings.
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Hassanal Bolkiah said in front of world leaders on 30 September 2015 that the UN has no equivalent and that its 70-year existence is proof of its significance, despite what some may say about its efficacy.
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Hassanal Bolkiah is not back in any official government role but retains all his royal titles and decorations and remains in the royal protocol order.
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Hassanal Bolkiah is seen at major national functions like the national teachers day celebrations, the sultan's birthday and at the National Day Celebrations.
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The sultan once owned one of the largest private car collections in the world with about 2,500 cars which his brother Jefri Hassanal Bolkiah bought for himself, the Sultan, and other members of the royal family to entertain their car passion.
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Hassanal Bolkiah mentioned that eight instances of breach of trust involving five employees and a total of $115,528 were filed between 2004 and 2016.
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Hassanal Bolkiah, who is the RBAF's Supreme Commander, has visioned that Brunei's future leaders will possess exceptional leadership skills and be prepared to steer the nation through the world's current fast changes.
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Hassan Hassanal Bolkiah played polo with then-Prince Charles on 15 July 1996, to commemorate his 50th birthday.
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Hassanal Bolkiah played polo competitively when he was younger, at one point even representing the Indian Army's 61st Cavalry team.
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Hassanal Bolkiah has a history of attending polo matches frequently in recent years, especially since two of his children started playing competitive polo.
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On 8 February 2015, Hassanal Bolkiah competed in and won the Richard Mille Gold Cup, a charity polo match held at Padang 1, Royal Brunei Polo and Riding Club Jerudong, in support of the Children's Cancer Foundation.
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Hassanal Bolkiah married Mariam Abdul Aziz as his second wife in 1981 when she was a ex-flight attendant for Royal Brunei Airlines.
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Hassanal Bolkiah previously held an Honorary Doctor of Law degree from the University of Oxford, England, which was returned on 6 May 2019 following a letter from the university, and an Honorary Doctor of Letters degree from the University of Aberdeen, Scotland, which was revoked on 17 April 2019.
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Hassanal Bolkiah received an Honorary Doctorate from the Chulalongkorn University of Thailand.
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Hassanal Bolkiah was awarded with an honorary doctorate in philosophy and humanities on 21 April 2011 from Universitas Indonesia.
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Hassanal Bolkiah holds the rank of Honorary Colonel Commandant of Pakistan's Special Service Group, awarded to him during his visit to the Pakistan Army's SSG headquarters at Cherat with effect from 3 Apr 2005.
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Hassanal Bolkiah possesses red beret and paratrooper wings of the Black Hawk paratroopers, presented to him by the Indian Army during his state visit to India.