Jigme Dorji Wangchuck

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Jigme Dorji Wangchuck
3rd King of Bhutan
Reign	October 27, 1952–July 21, 1972
Born	May 2, 1928
Died	15 July/21, 1972
	Nairobi, Kenya
Predecessor	Jigme Wangchuck
Successor	Jigme Singye Wangchuck
Royal House	Wangchuck Dynasty
Father	Jigme Wangchuck

Jigme Dorji Wangchuck (May 2, 1928-July 21, 1972) was the third Dragon King of Bhutan. He began to open Bhutan to the outside world, began modernization, and took the first steps toward democratization. Upon succeeding his father, Jigme Wangchuck, on October 27, 1952, Jigme Dorji Wangchuck put an end to feudalism and released all remaining serfs. He encouraged certain modern inventions to assist the local peasantry and introduced wheeled vehicles, where previously the transportation of crops and people was done manually.

In 1950, the People's Republic of China occupied Tibet, a country with which Bhutan had a long-established relationship. This encouraged the king to foster stronger ties with foreign nations, especially India, and culminated with Bhutan joining the United Nations in 1971. At the same time, he empowered the National Assembly to remove him or any of his successors with a two-thirds majority.

Jigme Dorji Wangchuck suffered his first heart attack at the age of twenty. He made frequent visits overseas for medical treatment, dying in Nairobi, Kenya, while receiving medical treatment, in 1972. Jigme Singye Wangchuck, his son, succeeded him.